17 Tig Torch problems ??

[cbmkr]

Sorry

Mark and Oleg

I was mot aware that this was the newer style torch with the super flex cable in it. I will have to eat crow and give it a try and see how i like it. I will still be addressing the problem with the old WP-17 Euro Style torch and the gas problem and post what i find. I am betting on a kink or bad spot in a hose as this torch has been laying around for a while.

[performance]

No this isn't the super flex, but it should be more flexible than the old economy torch.

[cbmkr]

The problem is with the gas supply hose, The hose has a small imperfection from when it was made about every 4-6" on the length of the hose in this euro style 17 gun. The small spot that i am trying to show in the photo has a thinner wall thickness and will collapse and close if it bends. Looks like it was too hot or possibly got some air in it when it was extruded where it was made. This spot was right at the end of the torch handle and would explain why moving the torch around or letting the weight of the rest of the torch leads hanging on would give me restricted gas flow. This is a Euro style blue handle 17 torch with 12' leads.

[vicrc]

I actually like using the stock 26 torch that came with my 2013 200dx version. I did remove the heavy plastic cover and used a braided shield instead so using it now is a lot easier than before and I use the the 26 torch when I need around 140+ amps. I have an original CK 9 flex head with superflex cable and its very nice for smaller stuff. Both torches work equally the same.

[cbmkr]

I tried the new torch that came with my machine today i like it but need to get used to the large switch. It seems the cable is more flexible and not pulling when moving around.I did notice that when welding some 1/2" steel at around 160 amps she got hot quick. May start rounding up parts to make a cooler and by a water cooled torch in the future.

[vicrc]

cbmkr , I used the stock torch at 200Amp for short duration welding 1/4" to 1/4" and also with 1/4"x 3/8" plate, the machine was very capable and did not thermal before my hand would be unable to hold the torch, hot it certainly was. Thick gloves helped me get through it. So far I love the machine and I was practicing really thin stuff like below which is really my first intention of getting a tig machine. I have about a total of 12 hours of argon flow. That .05 aluminum plates is not easy make T-joints one of my biggest troubles so far, I am okay with other joints but fillet welding is not so easy with my noobness.

[cbmkr]

Cut the bad spot out of the vinyl tubing on the 17 torch and it mostly stopped the gas problem, If you get the hose rolled over your arm it will bend enough to crimp the hose tight enough to mess up your gas flow. I thought about adding a spring cover to the tubing to stop it from bending but did not have one around in the shop anywhere. It only seems to bend right at the end of the handle.

[jakeru]

The problem is with the gas supply hose, The hose has a small imperfection from when it was made about every 4-6" on the length of the hose in this euro style 17 gun. The small spot that i am trying to show in the photo has a thinner wall thickness and will collapse and close if it bends. Looks like it was too hot or possibly got some air in it when it was extruded where it was made. This spot was right at the end of the torch handle and would explain why moving the torch around or letting the weight of the rest of the torch leads hanging on would give me restricted gas flow. This is a Euro style blue handle 17 torch with 12' leads.

It sounds like you might have a torch overheating problem, like I posted about here: http://www.everlastgenerators.com/fo...=4899#post4899

The WP-17 is not spec'ed to handle the output of your 200 amp @ 60% duty cycle machine, so if you ran it at high throttle for too long, you probably melted the inside of your gas hose. A "weak spot" or nonuniformity in the hose wall thickness seems to be a giveaway. IME, the shielding gas gets contaminated, in particular when the overheating is occurring (e.g., when welding thick aluminum.)

Watercooling is overkill for a 200 amp machine, IMO, when CK worldwide carries a quite nimble, capable, and reasonably priced aircooled torch (the Trimline 210 with superflex hose option) that can do the job just as well with much less cost, complexity, required maintenance, and also while providing a more portable welding setup. FWIW, the CK Trimline 210 superflex cable has about the same outer dimensions and overall flexibility as the current vinyl style WP17 setup you've got, just with a bit more density due to the larger copper conductors inside.

[cbmkr]

No overheating it was a brand new Euro Style torch that i have had for sometime and not used , When we tried it on my new machine we were having gas issues immediately and started looking for the problem. The torch had just been taken out of the box and the plastic bag it came in.We were using it at 95 amps. The tubing was defective and bad the full length of the torch and had spots every 4-8" in a spiral around the tube. It is a manufacturing problem where the tubing was made. The DOM process that is used to make this tubing can have problems with the base material being to hot or the tube being pulled to much from the outgoing side of the die. It is made using the same process as adding the shielding to electrical and welding wire ect.