CK 130 Flex Loc Torch

[NRM]

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.

[undercut]

That's crazy nice. Caught myself drooling while watching the video.

[zoama]

Looks good to me. I'd rather have that over the flex since you can only bend a flex neck so many times.

[NRM]

Zoama what do you mean, did your 130 break internally?

[zoama]

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.
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.

[jakeru]

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.

[Rodsmachineshop]

that is so cool what a neat torch

[NRM]

Zoama/Jake thanks for the information. Anyone else?

[NRM]

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.

[zoama]

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.

[NRM]

CK 130 60% duty cycle at 150A, good to know.

[NRM]

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.



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)



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



All of the above vendors ship USPS which is a huge benefit for me since shipping to Hawaii using UPS/FedEx is ridiculous.

[log man]

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.

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.

LOG

[zoama]

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.

LOG

There ya go... welcome to the forum.

[undercut]

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.

LOG

Thanks for sharing your tip and welcome to the forum!

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 ....

[NRM]

LOG learned that trick fairly quick, makes repositioning the head quick and easy.

[MoparCar]

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!

[Rectified]

Thank You for posting this

[Chuck_jkl]

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.



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)



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



All of the above vendors ship USPS which is a huge benefit for me since shipping to Hawaii using UPS/FedEx is ridiculous.

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

[E36M3]

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