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The latest Welding Tips and Tricks video I saw was on the CK Flex Loc torch, and it seems like a great torch. Here is the link: http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/...ooled-tig.html
Has anyone used this torch or seen it? What are your impressions? I was looking at the CK 130 flex but now I was thinking the 130 Flex Loc might be better. I would compare the two myself but they are not on island.
That's crazy nice. Caught myself drooling while watching the video.
Looks good to me. I'd rather have that over the flex since you can only bend a flex neck so many times.
Zoama what do you mean, did your 130 break internally?
No it's still perfect but flex torches come with instructions that say don't bend them often. The flex loc torch can give more angles without worry of damage.Quote:
Originally Posted by NRM
Small bends on a flex neck torch would probably never affect it but regular 90 degree bends would likely work harden the copper tube in the neck and cause a crack or kink. I doubt a hobby welder would ever have to worry about these things.
I've given one (a CK flex-loc) a "dry run" (not actually used for any welding or struck any arc with it) at a brick-and-mortar welding supply near an on-site welding job I was doing once, that I had to get a replacement TIG torch leads at. They just happened to have a flex loc on their shelves, so I checked it out.
The thing that really put me off about that one that I tried, was that the knob that is used to tighten the torch head angle adjustment was *really* tiny and hard to operate. I couldn't see operating that tiny knob with gloves on, at all. The store guy said he was aware of some people who use them having problems with not being able to get them tight enough and having them move, IIRC.
The one in the video that Jody just showed looks like they may have fixed this problem, though. Its knob looks much wider, maybe with a larger OD than the body it's attached to, making it look much easier to operate with gloves on. Jody also didn't seem to have any problems operating it (even with gloves on, IIRC.)
I think it'd be a sweet setup to have with that better knob on there. Not cheap though.
I would possibly consider the CK "micro torch" instead of the flex-loc, for when you need to get into *really* tight places. The flex loc is probably more versatile to use for a primary torch, though.
that is so cool what a neat torch
Zoama/Jake thanks for the information. Anyone else?
Got some additional information from Jeff at CK. The air cooled 130 FL torch (p/n CK-FL1325NSF) comes with the 2 series head which makes it 130A, but you can change the head to the 3 series (p/n CK-FL3L) and you have a 150A torch. All CK torches are 100% duty cycle. I think this is pretty cool option and makes me like this torch even more.
You can use the 2 series head up to 150 amp AC/DC @60% duty cycle. I've done this many times with no problems at all.Quote:
Originally Posted by NRM
CK 130 60% duty cycle at 150A, good to know.
Finally got my CK FlexLoc 130 and parts (Bday present) last week Wednesday and had a chance to use them on Saturday. My project was small, weld some SS 5/8” lock washers to SS ¼”-20 bolts, and I did rotate the torch head which made it much more comfortable. The difference in the FL torch and supplied torch is night and day i.e. weight and flex in the cable(s). I used the supplied torch for a year and now wish I had switched over sooner. Besides the weight and flex the ability to move the head is great. I originally thought that the FL torch geometry would be hard to get used to but it wasn’t.
Attachment 7684Attachment 7680Attachment 7679
Listed below are the vendors and part numbers for my setup
Weldfabulous
CK FL1325SF FlexLoc Pkg 130A Fx w/. 25' 1 Piece SuperFlex 1x$149.95
CK SL2-35 SafeLoc Male Dinse 35 (1/2") 1x$37.15
CK 2C116GS Collet Wedge for 1/16" 1.6 mm 2 Series Gas Saver 1x$1.37
CK 2C332GS Collet Wedge for 3/32" 2.4 mm 2 Series Gas Saver 1x$1.37
CK 2GHS Heatshield Gas Lens 2 Series MS1209 1x$1.50
Welding City
Gas Lens 1/16 45V43 1x$1.79
Gas Lens 3/32 45V44 1x$1.79
Alumina Gas Lens #4 53N58 1x$2.70 (5 cups)
Alumina Gas Lens #5 53N59 1x$2.70 (5 cups)
Alumina Gas Lens #6 53N60 1x$2.70 (5 cups)
Alumina Gas Lens #7 53N61 1x$2.70 (5 cups)
Alumina Gas Lens #8 53N61S 1x$2.70 (5 cups)
Back cap Long 41V24 1x$2.38 (2 caps)
Back cap Medium 41V35 1x$3.58 (2 caps)
Back cap Short 41V33 1x$2.38 (2 caps)
Attachment 7685
LWS (Air Liquide)
CK #1006 Ferrule 1x$1.88
CK #2564 Male plug 1x$6.69
Like Zoama said in another post if you add –LG to the SafeLoc part number (CK SL2-35-LG) you will get the Everlast QC fitting that fits most new machines.
Maryland Metrics(Male quick connect fitting)
Rectus 21KA Hose Barb (brass) p/n 21SFTF05MXX 1x$1.25
I ordered 10 to meet the minimum order ($10 minimum order) requirement, so if anyone needs one pm me and we can work something out.
Pic 1 Below - Original male QC
Pic 2 & 3 Maryland Metrics male QC and CK ferrule and male QC
Attachment 7681Attachment 7682Attachment 7683
All of the above vendors ship USPS which is a huge benefit for me since shipping to Hawaii using UPS/FedEx is ridiculous.
What you will find is you tighten the head by turning the head. You simply turn the head to loosen, re-position the knob in the direction that allows the head to tighten in the position you want, and tighten by turning the head.. I had the same feeling when mine was new, but soon learned.Quote:
Originally Posted by jakeru
LOG
There ya go... welcome to the forum.Quote:
Originally Posted by log man
Thanks for sharing your tip and welcome to the forum!Quote:
Originally Posted by log man
The Flex Loc looks like a really nice torch to add to the arsenal. Thanks everyone for providing input, suppliers, etc. Might not help me in the near term but I'm sure others are taking notes ....
LOG learned that trick fairly quick, makes repositioning the head quick and easy.
That really does look like a night and day difference (sorry Everlast-no slam here just saying what I see).....
Thanks for posting the pictures. I really want to get the Flex Loc eventually when I get my 210 EXT. Looks like a very nice upgrade. Also appreciate all the part numbers!
Thank You for posting this
Quote:
Originally Posted by NRM
i just order a setup like yours but with an added fl3 head. Do you use this all the time as your main torch. That's what I was planning to do and just wanted to make sure that it would be a good idea
Thanks in advance
Chuck
i am new to tig welding and the forum so forgive my noobness. in the process of piecing everything together for a setup like this to use with my powerpro 205 mostly for welding roll cages 1.5" diameter .120 wall dom, maybe some chromolly at some point. i'm having trouble finding the Dinse safeloc connector with the quick connect. does anyone have a link to CK SL2-35-LG or an adapter that i can use?
this is my first torch purchase, but so far my list looks like this. what else should i add?
weldfabulous
CK FL1325SF FlexLoc Pkg 130A Fx w/. 25' 1 Piece SuperFlex
CK SL2-35 SafeLoc Male Dinse 35 (1/2"). (CK9,17,MR70)
brwtechnologies
CK-2CB332 Special short collet body for 3/32 dia.
CK-6C332 Special Reverse Collets for Special short collet bodies
CK-8A6 Alumina - Special short length Gas Cup
CK-2GHS Standard Heat shield
Any CK dealer can get the CK SL2-35-LG for you even though they don't list it... they can get any CK part for that matter. Just call weldfabulous or send them an email. I really like the CK wedge collets.
I believe Everlast is now a CK dealer or distributor or similar. Probably can buy a kit that will work from Oleg.
I didn't know that... when did this start ?Quote:
Originally Posted by sportbike
This was posted on Facebook....as much as I don't care for facebook...
A relatively new development, Everlast is proud to announce that we have become an OEM supplier of C-K torches so our customers will have a better selection of quality torches and accessories at their disposal directly through us. C-K has a rich tradition of providing top notch quality and service. We believe that this will help extend our product line and improve the versatility of our units and will continue to build our reputation as a major force in the welding industry. We’ll be able to provide a better selection for the customer to choose from, while offering excellent prices on the C-K product. We’ll have one of the best torch selections of any manufacturer. While we are getting up to speed with the new product line, we encourage you to give us a call about any product you are interested in. While in the process, our cooperation with C-K we’ll be developing special, ready to go packages for customers so the torches are 100% compatible for the units right away. This venture combined with our existing offering of US made foot pedals from SSC industries for our units as an optional feature will allow our customers to enjoy a more complete and enriching experience with Everlast. If you have any questions, or requests about the new developments, feel free to call us at ext 201 or 204 for further information. We’ll be glad to hear from you and look forward to seeing how else we can add to our line to service our customers.
That's great news, thanks.
That is a rather odd mix of parts for that torch. I'm not even sure they fit together. The shorty reverse collets usually go with the short body which is CK-6CB332. The CK-2CB332 is the standard length version. As a rule you usually match up the numbers, 6C collets go with 6CB collet bodies, and 2C collets, go with 2CB collet bodies. But the reverse collets are somewhat specialized and not commonly used, they don't transfer heat quite as well and unless you really are fighting space, you would be better served with standard length parts. I've only seen them used in the 24 torch which has no back cap and has to use reverse collets. In addition for things like roll cages, and tubing joints, the length of the torch head is probably not as critical as the amount of tungsten stickout to let you get into tight joints. For that you might want to look into a gas lens setup instead CK-2GL332. Also if you do need a short setup, be sure to get the short back cap, CK-200S.Quote:
Originally Posted by E36M3
EDIT: I just looked up the CK chart and sure enough you can use reverse collets with standard collet bodies, but they would be too long to use the 8A6 cups on them. So the parts I didn't think would fit, will, and the parts I thought would fit, won't. Net result is the same, you can't use that mix of parts.
Check out the full chart at CK, for what fits what.
http://www.ckworldwide.com/form105/p47_55.pdf
I was going off the spec sheet I found on the ck website for the 2 series torch in a short configuration. Look here and click on the 2 series accessories and consumables link.
http://www.ckworldwide.com/flex-loc.htm
Thanks for the tip on a gas saver kit ill get one of those too, but I really think a short head would be helpful in a lot of circumstances.
will this gas saver kit work, would i need anything else to go with it?
CK D2GS332-P Gas Saver Kit for 3/32". w/Pyrex Cup
On the page you linked to, you can also see that 8A6 cups must be used with the 6CB collet bodies.Quote:
Originally Posted by E36M3
You can use that gas saver kit, but you can also use the normal gas lenses with the screw on cups. For example a 2AG6 cup with a 2GL332 gas lens and a 2C332 collet.
Be aware that although the short hardware does make the torch smaller, it's not much in the 2 series, maybe 1/4" or less. The real difference is when you are using the 3 series, then the short parts are much shorter than the normal. The thing with short parts is that they don't dissipate the heat as well so you have to back down the amps, shorten your welding time, or both. They are great when needed but not the hardware you want to leave on all the time. For example on a 17 torch you can go with about 150 amps, but with short hardware anything over 100 amps starts to overheat things pretty quickly. With water cooled torches this isn't as much of an issue, but with gas cooled, it happens a lot faster. I thought I had a better example, but here you can see how the cup actually starts to melt down from too much heat. If the cup melts, bits of it will fall into your weld puddle and you won't be happy.
Attachment 9847
If you are new to TIG welding I would advise starting with standard parts, either regular or gas lens. There is a reason they are the standard. They will be much more forgiving and easier to learn with. Once you have more actual welding time, you will better know when to use more exotic parts. For real tight places, like inside intake runners, you will want to use a 24 torch anyway.
Checkout Welding Tips and Tricks for examples of how a regular gas lens will let you extend the tungsten to get into tubing joint corners. That will be make a much greater difference than torch length. And switching back caps will shorten your torch by over an inch, so do that for sure. The downside is that you have to run a super short tungsten that you will not be able to regrind more than a few times before it's too short to fit. Not the best thing for someone just learning as you will probably be regrinding your tungsten quite a bit until you get enough practice. You should get plenty of practice on things that don't need perfect welds, and be sure of your skills, before moving on to something like a rollcage where lives are on the line.
Attachment 9862Attachment 9863
Oleg sent me this stuff. The 130 head is genuine ck but the suggestive 150 amp head does not thread into the thumb screw. I contacted CK they said both the 130 and 150 amp fit the same thumb screw. SO what the heck is this thing too?
spam complete.
The 17 series head sure doesn't look CK, I think you have a mixed bag there.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rectified
You are right...The 17 head doesn't have a CK stamp either. I would love to know what this goes to. I wonder....Quote:
Originally Posted by Rambozo
Spam complete.
Maybe a true trafimet. They have had a flex lock type for a while. Someone may have rebagged a sample?
I didn't know that Trafimet made those. I went to the website trafimetusa.com and searched the pdf doc TIG section. I didnt see the product listed or any flex loc head. Well if we can figure this out Im willing to give it to whoever can use it. I love the CK flex loc and will buy the genuine 17 style head that I need.Quote:
Originally Posted by performance
So in other words it is useless to me.
Spam complete.
I sent some photos over to CK. Jeff and Bonnie helped me out. Great folks.
Jeff says,"Mystery solved. The head that you shown in your picture is not our 150 amp Flex-Loc head. That is a replacement head for a WP150 modular torch system by Weldcraft. The screw on threads that attaches the head to the body is much larger than our Flex-Loc. The part number for the head in your picture is 1726. Our replacement head for 150 amps is part number FL3L. Two different animals altogether."
If anyone has the torch system described, PM me or reply and Ill send it to you, or back to Everlast. First come first serve!
Received my FL150 from everlast and didn't realize that I needed to order a Dinse connector, I was assuming since he asked if I needed it to fit my 225lx it would be a total solution. Ohh well... Need to order the Dinse connector, 2 series head, and whole bunch of consumables....
I would like to say that after my WP-9 burnt up I was on the market for a new and better torch and I came across this one.I did a couple research on this torch and so far I was getting great reviews so I sat out to find one.Searched and found that weld fabulous have the kit with torch,9 head and flex hose for $143.21 which was the cheapest I could find.
Last Friday night I received a email from weldfabulous.com saying they are having a moving clearance sale so I said to my self (its the perfect time to buy my CK flexloc).I rushed to their website and found my kit CKFL1312NSF for 15% less and I said well I might as well get it now because I will not find it for this price again,so I clicked add to cart and for some reason it wont add to my cart and gives me a error even though its showing one available.Close my browser and reopened it and tried again and got the same problem.I said why not search eBay?, so i did and came across a flexloc body for $20 free shipping so I bought it in a heart beat and went back on weldfabulous.com and found the wp9 head Part# CKFL2L for $38.94 with 10% off so I grabbed it.
After 1 week I got all parts in the mail and this weekend I assembled them,remind you I still have my good super flex CK hose that I was using with my wp9 flex torch before it died.Completed the assembly and run a couple beads on some aluminum parts and I must say I am very impressed and would recommend this torch to any and every one that owns a tig welder.Nice steady arc,35% more visibility of the tungsten and the puddle,less propping needed,very comfortable feel while welding and a distinct sound of the argon gas leaving the head which helps me remember to leave the tungsten near the weld for proper cooling.So at the end of it all I got my flexloc for $56 after shipping which makes me very happy and even more happier after seeing how it performs.
Everlast also sells CK, just call sales.
Looks like you scored a good one! I get nervous when I buy bits and pieces from different places that need to go together. I'm always afraid I won't get the exact pieces I expected or that one small piece of the puzzle is overlooked and I'm without.Quote:
Originally Posted by watercooler
I think it is time for me to call up Everlast sales and see if I can get me one of those flexloc torches! :)