Harbor freight 9 dollar torch

I picked up one of the clearance torches a few months ago for 9 bucks. Threw it in a drawer and really didn't know what I was going to do with it. Well, I figured, instead of trying to burn up a water cooled torch without a cooler, why not just adapt the cheapie to work with my 250EX. I actually like the HF torch. It's a 17 with a valve (I just lock-tited the valve slightly open) It's much more flexible than the stock torch that came with the 250ex and makes it very manageable. Not sure of the amperage or duty cycle of the torch, but I really haven't had a reason to push it over 170 amps so far. When it starts heating up, I just set it down. I used the dinse connector off my 160's stick electrode holder and fit it to the Harbor Freight torch. I took dimensions off the gas connection that came with the 250EX and made one up to fit the HF torch. It works like a charm. I imagine that thing will go back into a drawer once I get a cooler or build one.

A 17 is actually a pretty good torch.

Amp level is around 150 amps at 60% or 100% (depending upon mfgr and style).

Its a smaller barrel with the same cons as the larger 26 and 18.

do you have that part number on the HF torch? i wouldnt feel bad about butchering one up at that price.

I wondered about that $9, if it was some kind of clearance at your local store or if I could get the same deal at the store near here.

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Originally Posted by RCnMo

I took dimensions off the gas connection that came with the 250EX and made one up

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that's very cool!

I dont believe they make it anymore, I think it was a sellout price or something. I got mine for $1.87, yes that price. It uses a smaller dinse style so I just bought a small to large adapter for about $20 and got the argon hookup from arczone for about $15 and I also bout a flexy head for like $10 and I use the torch all the time. For those that do not have a flex head, invest in one, makes life so much easier.