225lx torch

[DAC45]

There are already a lot of threads on torches, but I don't have the 225lx yet and am looking to go to an air cooled wp9v type torch. I'll be doing small stuff and like the idea of a flexible hose, and small torch.
My questions are,
1. What torch comes with the 225lx?
2. Can the factory torch run without water?
3 What do I need to look for in a WP9FV-25R type torch for connectors (are they all plug and play or are a bunch of special adapters needed)?
4. Does Everlast have a small air cooled torch that is small with flexible hoses for doing small firearms related welding?
5. Where is the best place to get a torch?

Thanks,
David

[Grizzly1944]

Dac,

I'm pretty sure that the OEM torch that comes with your unit is a WP18 water cooled torch. My 250ex came with the WP18 and I found it to be difficult to handle.

Many of us have gone to the WP20 water cooled torch or the WP20F (flexhead).

I find this torch much easier to handle.

The main part you will need to hook up a new torch to the machine is a Dinse 50 connector with water outlet.

You can run the OEM torch without water but your amperage is limited. I'm sure that one of the Everlast guys will chime in shortly with a more definitive answer.

Just about all this stuff can be purchased at Everlast and is also available at several outlets such as a good local welding store.

I originally bought my 250EX for the purpose of doing work on firearms, I find the WP20F torch works well for just about everything. It all depends on what you are up to. I sporterize Mausers and welding on bolt handles is just part of it.

I'm sure that you will enjoy the 225LX.

[DAC45]

Are you running a water cooler? I'm mainly doings sights, and some stamped receiver modifications, so I imagine my needs will be similar to yours. I was hoping to avoid a water cooler as I have a mig welder for anything that takes a lot of welding.

[parkour]

There was a thread recently where people were talking about running without water in a water-cooled torch. Mark gave some numbers that were smaller than what is in the manual for the powertig series of welders. I quoted the manual below. The manual and the site seem to indicate that the 225LX and the 250EX are provided with a WP-18 water-cooled torch, and the 200DX gets a WP-26. My 250EX came with a WP-18. I can vouch for the fact that I could weld 14ga steel at something well over 100 amps with no water cooling and no apparent problems. The dutycycle is stated as being 60%, with presumed losses from lack of watercooling, but I never welded 6 minutes straight. I think Mark will be along shortly to say that the manual is optimistic about the numbers. My guess is that if you keep it under 150 or so, you will be OK.

Here is an excerpt from the manual powertiggen2.pdf on page 25 about water-cooler use.

A.2 Water Cooler Use. Any PowerTig unit
when used over 160 amps may require the ad-
dition of a water cooler and the use of a water
cooled torch. The LX and EX units both come
with a standard water cooled torch, which will
operate up to 160 amps as an air-cooled torch.
However, considerable duty cycle will be lost
when operated with air cooling only with the
water cooled torch. Operation of the torch
over 200 amps is forbidden without the use of
a water cooler. Melting and destruction of the
torch will result.

[Grizzly1944]

Dac45,

I'm running a water cooler that I made myself from a heater core from a Crown Vic. I weld up all kinds of stuff besides firearms. For the most part on firearms, you wouldn't be needing more than 100 amps anyways.

In determining how much amperage you need for a weld, the old 1 amp per thousanth of thickness is a good rule of thumb. These inverter welders are hotter than the transformer welders. Myself and some others on this forum find that 80% of the above rule of thumb works great on carbon steel. With stainless, 66% of the rule works very well.

You will find that many folks on this forum are very helpful and respectful. In addition there is a wealth of information. Of course Jody's welding tips and tricks site is very helpful.

[DAC45]

I've printed the manual and thought I had read most of it but didn't recall that section. Do the wp9 series of torches from everlasting have flexible tubing or are they more of the hard vinyl type? I have some vinyl air compressor hose that is almost rock hard during the winter up here. Looks like they do have the finger switch for 2t/4t starting. Is it important to have the gas control valve on the torch?
I've sporterized a few Mausers in my day (when they were 90 bucks at big 5) and I don't imagine my welding will be much different.
A water cooler is cool, but I'm not sure I can justify the expense. Maybe someone at everlasting can let me know what they would take as an offer and I could get it shipped with the rest of my order if it was feasible. Thanks for all the helpful info .

[Grizzly1944]

I can't really speak for the WP9 stuff that Everlast offers. My CK torch has extremely flexible lines feeding it that are not the vinyl type that comes with the OEM torch.

Many of us have made our own coolers from readily available parts.

Since you are getting a 225LX, there is no need for a torch valve. The gas flow is controlled by a solinoid valve in the welder itself. There is a preflow and a post flow control that is adjustable. About .5 sec preflow is more than adequate and a 3 sec post flow will suit you just fine.

Your welder will come with a torch pedal and the torch will also have a switch. It's best to learn with the switch. The pedal offers better control for bench welding on stuff like firesticks. I prefer the pedal, but there is also a use for the switch as the position will require. If you get a different torch get a switch and connect it up to your OEM plug. The Everlast folks sell switches and plugs.

I haven't done any Mausers lately, but when I get back working again I will finish the project I had to set aside. I also have a K98 that I won't touch since the value is going up and the availability is going down.

[DAC45]

I just talked to Mark at Everlast and I believe he indicated the wp18 it comes with will burn up without a cooler. So now it looks like I just need to figure out what air cooled torch to get and weather or not it will fit an everlast. He indicated the torch should be pretty much the same as a Miller ..., but that the powere switch may need to be wired?
I'm currently working on some sights and bases for a Saiga 12 shotgun. More accurately will be when I have the welder. Hopefully it will ship in the next day or so and won't get busted along the way.

[parkour]

You can make the WP18 it comes with into an air cooled torch by blowing compressed air through the water path. That isn't much simpler than just hooking a water hose to the torch and letting it run down the drain.

Mark shows a simple way of hooking it up this way.
http://www.everlastgenerators.com/fo...thread.php/153

[DAC45]

Air is much more manageable up here in the inland northwest where all of our hoses freeze starting in November. I don't happen to have a shop that I keep heated so I don't have water in it either.
Might be the way to go in the short term. I'd really just like to get a wp9 or wp17 but I called the Everlast too late today and it looks like my welder has a shipping number at least generated for it.

[blasphemy000]

Everlast does sell their own torches. http://www.everlastgenerators.com/Ev...ig-Torches.php I would assume that they would be a direct fit for their welding machines(maybe somebody from Everlast can chime in on this) and they have a handful of air-cooled designs. When I finally can afford to order my 250EX I plan to order the WP20F25 water-cooled torch along with it. I think the smaller torch will fit me better than the WP18 that comes standard. I do agree with the others though, I would not risk running a water-cooled torch without any water flowing through it.

[DAC45]

Oleg responded to an email I sent this evening. Looks like he is going to be able to have a wp9 added to the shipping of the 225lx I ordered. Hopefully it goes out this week.
I'll probably continue to use my mig for the larger welding projects but will likely get a cooler (when funds are replenished) so I have the option with the tig on bigger projects.
I hope the everlast wp9 has pliant hoses as I'd hate to have to struggle with that up here in the inland north west when it is frozen.
It'd be nice if there was a way to compare the size of the torches online. Maybe a couple of side by Sid pictures.

[Grizzly1944]

There are a couple of side by side pics comparing a WP20 to the OEM WP18 in this forum. It looks like the difference between a jackhammer and a small ball peen hammer.

So you're mounting sights on a Saiga 12. Interesting! Kind of like channeling that high volume of lead that it can deliver.

On the cooler. When you get going on it, you can get some antifreeze that miller sells for about 20 bucks a gallon, or the stuff that wal-mart sells for your RV water supply for about 4 bucks. In either case, distilled water is the coolant of choice.

[revkev6]

I'd like to try both the wp9 and the wp20. would be nice to have the portability of an air cooled torch!