WP 26 Torch best replacement?

[willida]

Any suggestions on a direct replacement for the WP 26 Torch? I have the PT 200DX, the WP 26 torch came standard with the unit. I love the switch on the handle, at this point, it's easier for me than the foot pedal to use. Would like to get something that is smaller, keep it rated @ 200 amp, air cooled, and more felxible than the WP 26 that ships with the machine.

[Trip59]

CK Worldwide, take a look at their site, standard series, master series and Trimline series.

I just got a CK9 (standard series) which is 125A rated at 100%, will handle 150A at 60% or so. Superflex cable and I can barely tell I'm tethered to something. I'll be picking up a flexloc watercooled torch this spring to handle the really odd positions, higher than 150A, etc. But so far, I find myself under 150 95+% of the time, so the single cable, superflex, air cooled 9 series is perfect. No switch with it, but you can add one easy enough.

[willida]

Thanks for the info Trip.

I feel I'll be in the same amp range you are most of the time.

Will I need to order the DINS or does that come with the torch already?

[zoama]

Thanks for the info Trip.

I feel I'll be in the same amp range you are most of the time.

Will I need to order the DINS or does that come with the torch already?

You'll need to order a dinse connector. Add LG to the end of the part number for plug and play with Everlast. Your dinse # will be CK-SL2-35LG

[jakeru]

To replace the WP26, the CK Trimline 210 flex head with superflex cable would be my recommendation. It will take whatever power your machine can dish out (in terms of amps and duty cycle,) and will be an amazingly huge improvement in ease of use and maneuverability over the WP26. You would never need the WP26 again, so you could get rid of the WP26.

If you don't mind needing to switch torches for the bigger/thicker jobs (or risk damaging a lighter duty torch), CK9 would be good as a lighter weight, lighter duty option. As long as you are always careful not to overheat it on those thicker jobs. Your machine at 200 amps, 60% duty cycle can easily put out enough juice to damage it, IMO. I've fried several TIG torches, and the results are not pretty, so be careful. Hope this helps!

The CK9 uses a lighter weight power cable than the TL210. This lighter weight power cable makes the torch a little easier to handle, but heats up more for a given amount of welding amperage.

[Trip59]

Dinse Zoama posted is what I did, took less than a minute to install.

200 would definitely kill a CK9, but I just set my machine to 150 and pay attention to not rushing, I probably only have a 30-50% duty cycle myself (hand still healing, I need to stop often anyhow) and if I find myself going near full pedal, it's time to think about breaking out the 26 (till I pick up the water cooled flexloc )

[cbmkr]

Willida

Can you post a picture of the torch you received , is it a molded blue handle torch with a red switch ?

[bswinn]

I second the CK TL210. That's the torch I got just last week. It is leaps and bounds better than the bulky WP26 with blue handle and red switch. Compared to that torch the TL210 feels like nothing. I forget sometimes I have a torch in my hand.

[willida]

cbmkr,

I'll take a shot of it and post.

It isn't the blue with red button, it's the black handle (WP26F15) with the finger switch. I think what the issue with me is the lack of flexibility with the cable. I could get use to the size of the torch, but the stiffness of the cable makes it hard for me to get into a comfortable position. I can weld for about a half inch. then I need to stop and repostion. I've never used a finger switch torch, always used a foot pedal with the limited tig use I've done. The foot pedal has a much different feel than what I'm used to, but it will just take some time to get used to I think. With a much more flexable torch set-up, I think I'll gain the confidence to produce a better weld.
Thanks everyone for the info.

[performance]

cbmkr,

I'll take a shot of it and post.

It isn't the blue with red button, it's the black handle (WP26F15) with the finger switch. I think what the issue with me is the lack of flexibility with the cable. I could get use to the size of the torch, but the stiffness of the cable makes it hard for me to get into a comfortable position. I can weld for about a half inch. then I need to stop and repostion. I've never used a finger switch torch, always used a foot pedal with the limited tig use I've done. The foot pedal has a much different feel than what I'm used to, but it will just take some time to get used to I think. With a much more flexable torch set-up, I think I'll gain the confidence to produce a better weld.
Thanks everyone for the info.

Geesh, with all this moaning everyone seems to be doing about the torches, you'd soon forget it took real men and women to weld TIG just a few years ago before all the super flex, and dainty cute torches came out.

[cbmkr]

The one i rec with my 200DX seems to be a high quality torch assy, it is a single cable/gas line plus the small 2 wire for the switch. Seems pretty flexible and does not try to kink and is easy to use. It is not the same as my older molded blue handle 17 style.

[Odyknuck]

Geesh, with all this moaning everyone seems to be doing about the torches, you'd soon forget it took real men and women to weld TIG just a few years ago before all the super flex, and dainty cute torches came out.

And the problem with working "Smarter not Harder" is? If things are avalable to make you better at what you do, why not look for them! I would thing that most here are avid hobbist welders and we need all the help we can get. lol

[fdcmiami]

Geesh, with all this moaning everyone seems to be doing about the torches, you'd soon forget it took real men and women to weld TIG just a few years ago before all the super flex, and dainty cute torches came out.

that's funny; you'd think they were fire hoses...giant anacondas. i don't know how we ever got by.

[zoama]

that's funny; you'd think they were fire hoses...giant anacondas. i don't know how we ever got by.

Before there was paper, people used leaves or corn cobs... wasn't pleasant but it worked until something better came along.

[performance]

Zoama brings up a good point...either way some people keep on putting out the same crap...no matter the tool used.

[Rivets]

Geesh, with all this moaning everyone seems to be doing about the torches, you'd soon forget it took real men and women to weld TIG just a few years ago before all the super flex, and dainty cute torches came out.

Yah, and back then real welders used transformer based machines.
What's the world come to with all this sissy inverter stuff anyway ?

rivets

[willida]

This is the WP 26 that shipped with my 200DX. I was practicing some tonight and the bulky feeling for me, is from the stiffness of the hose. I've already got use to the torch. Did some with pedal, I think I have that figured out now too.

[Rambozo]

that's funny; you'd think they were fire hoses...giant anacondas. i don't know how we ever got by.

No autodarkening, however did they manage?

[Tanh]

A wp17 came with my unit. It has yet to be used but seems rather large for what I need (rather subjective, I know). When I get gas I'll put it through the paces and see if I need something different. Was looking at the wp26 as a possible upgrade but you guys don't seem to approve of it really. If it's just the flexibility of the hoses / cables, couldn't that just be replaced with different ones?

[Rambozo]

A wp17 came with my unit. It has yet to be used but seems rather large for what I need (rather subjective, I know). When I get gas I'll put it through the paces and see if I need something different. Was looking at the wp26 as a possible upgrade but you guys don't seem to approve of it really. If it's just the flexibility of the hoses / cables, couldn't that just be replaced with different ones?

A WP26 is actually a little larger than a WP17 and has thicker cabling, because it handles more current, although they share the same size consumables.