CK Flex Loc 230

[srp]

Thinking about putting a Flex Loc 230 torch on the 250ex, anybody got one or know how good they are? Main questions I have, does the swivel torch stay tight and with no water running through the head cause any problems?

[zoama]

Thinking about putting a Flex Loc 230 torch on the 250ex, anybody got one or know how good they are? Main questions I have, does the swivel torch stay tight and with no water running through the head cause any problems?

CK torches are top quality and rated at 100% duty cycle for both AC and DC. The FL230 has a higher duty cycle than the 250EX so it's a perfect match. I'll be buying one for my 250EX soon.

[gree box]

I purchased one for my 250ex as well as the ssc pedal. I got the 25 ft power cables. Don't shy away from the 25 footer as it is so light and small it rolls up as easy as the standard leads that come with the welder. The first thing I noticed when I laid them side by side is the flex loc can not make the same 90 degree bend as the stock torch. So after getting the flex loc in my had and running the first pass I was amazed how the angle works so much better. It's like a 90 but the head sits up on top of the torch. My first pass looked like I had been a welder my whole life. I have a glass lense on it. What a difference this will make for me just because of the comfort of having a lighter torch with a better angle. I truly have more fun welding with it! If your on the fence about getting I hope I pulled you over. 100% worth the money.

Get the SSC foot pedal so much better. Just the motion being smoother is well worth the money.

I know a great welder can make great welds with any torch... But for me this makes better welds right from the word go.

[Poptm]

The4th -

I think you may have misunderstood me. That Flex Lock torch has no water running thru the head even if your water cooler is functioning properly. The torch head rotates independent of the handle, is a separate piece (that is removable), and as such is not interconnected to the handle with respect to water flow. Water flows only thru the handle not the handle and the head like on a WP20. Cooling of the flex lok head is accomplished via the air (like and air cooled torch) and by being in metal to metal contact with the water cooled handle. On a wp 20 the water actual flows internal to the torch head.

[Mr120]

The4th -

I think you may have misunderstood me. That Flex Lock torch has no water running thru the head even if your water cooler is functioning properly. The torch head rotates independent of the handle, is a separate piece (that is removable), and as such is not interconnected to the handle with respect to water flow. Water flows only thru the handle not the handle and the head like on a WP20. Cooling of the flex lok head is accomplished via the air (like and air cooled torch) and by being in metal to metal contact with the water cooled handle. On a wp 20 the water actual flows internal to the torch head.

I didn't know that! Good information to know.

Redbeard - any idea how the 250 establishes that there isn't any water flowing? I'm curious how that would be implemented.

[Rambozo]

I didn't know that! Good information to know.

Redbeard - any idea how the 250 establishes that there isn't any water flowing? I'm curious how that would be implemented.

It had an internal elctro-mechanical flow sensor. There are pictures around here somewhere. Of course that meant you had to run the coolant lines to the units IN/OUT ports.

[watercooler]

It will be perfect and you will regret not getting it sooner.Its makes your welds be more precise with less changing angles and repositioning your work.

[ward cleaver]

I got my 250 EX a few weeks ago but didn't get the cooler, (no more money). I'm thinking about an air-cooled CK flex-loc torch but don't know which one to get. flex-loc 130 or 150? Do they make one that will stand up to 200 amps?
I really want to start using this welder!!!

[sportbike]

I got my 250 EX a few weeks ago but didn't get the cooler, (no more money). I really want to start using this welder!!!

Hook a garden hose to the inlet connection of the supplied water cooled torch and crack the valve to get flow out of the exit. Put a small hose on the exit and put it out in your yard. Weld away.

[Steve]

Hook a garden hose to the inlet connection of the supplied water cooled torch and crack the valve to get flow out of the exit. Put a small hose on the exit and put it out in your yard. Weld away.

That is what I do and it works perfectly. I could get a tig torch cooler but why spend the money when just running the water through the torch and down the drain is so much easier and cheaper. Plus the water temperature is always cooler even more than water from a tig torch water cooler.

[Mr120]

That is what I do and it works perfectly. I could get a tig torch cooler but why spend the money when just running the water through the torch and down the drain is so much easier and cheaper. Plus the water temperature is always cooler even more than water from a tig torch water cooler.

This method is more popular than many people think. I'd do it myself if my faucet wasn't so far away.

[Rectified]

I got my 250 EX a few weeks ago but didn't get the cooler, (no more money). I'm thinking about an air-cooled CK flex-loc torch but don't know which one to get. flex-loc 130 or 150? Do they make one that will stand up to 200 amps?
I really want to start using this welder!!!

I have both the 130 and 150. I use the 130 more often. I use the 150 when I have quarter inch aluminum to weld. Although I started welding with what came with the unit. From my experience I would recommend purchasing the 130 first. I purchased all of my ck stuff through weld fabulous.

[AussieChris]

I would like to get the FL 150 too. But it doesn't appear that any of these torches comes with a trigger switch. Is that correct?

Chris
Brisbane, Australia.

[Rambozo]

I would like to get the FL 150 too. But it doesn't appear that any of these torches comes with a trigger switch. Is that correct?

Most torches don't come with a switch. You can get the universal kind that zip tie or velcro to the torch handle, or for something real nice, build your own like zoama did in this post.

http://www.everlastgenerators.com/fo...0684#post20684

[Kempy]

I is all great till you forget to turn the water on or go to bed and forget to turn it off. I did it and it is not worth it dragging the hose around if you have to move the welder and finding a places to dump the water for us in the north it is harder in the winter making an ice rink where you did not want one I am not on town water or close to a drain. The water cooler is perfect for me turn the welder on water is now on turn the welder off water is off move it anywhere and only have the power cable to deal with. Maybe you have an old machine that do not move it might work out and live in warmer climate.

[gree box]

I ordered a flex loc 230 off of what Zoama585 said. I got the 25 foot superflex cable and the adaptor. It was $310.00. I also got the American made foot pedal while I was at it.

[Mr120]

I ordered a flex loc 230 off of what Zoama585 said. I got the 25 foot superflex cable and the adaptor. It was $310.00. I also got the American made foot pedal while I was at it.

That'll make for a really nice welding package. Be sure to tell us what you think after you've used them for a while.

[Steve]

I have the CK Flex Loc 230 with the 12 foot lead. Got it for $180 with a clear cup. I love it and have found it better than the standard flex head torches. The flex head torches that use copper flexible tubing end up leaking eventually as the copper fatigues and cracks. The Flex Loc does not have that problem. If you have a problem with the head, they can be replaced.

I had a Weldcraft flex head tig torch and it was nice, but this CK torch is better overall. I can adjust the head to fit some pretty useful angles where the Weldcraft could not do.

The Flex Loc head stays pretty tight. If you are running a water cooled torch, then make sure you have water running. They will burn up if you don't.

You can switch heads to the 250 series if needed on the water cooled 230. I find the 230 is good enough for me.

[Steve]

Here is a link to the Welding Tips and Tricks.com video on this torch......http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ICnwI3StbY

[srp]

After doing some heavy duty thinking, I bought two torches for my needs, one was a CK20 for everyday use and a 24-W to get into tight areas, both have the quick connects. The 24-W is a very very small water cooled torch, with a gas lens it has the same duty cycle as the 250EX at 200 amps, so there are no limitations when I use it.

The CK flex hoses are nice. The hoses on my Miller Diamondback torch may be just a bit more flexible. Ck uses a black rubber and Miller used a soft brown rubber, also the hoses on the Diamondback torch are a smaller diameter, they would fit into the handle of a 20 torch easily and the CK hoses are a very tight fit into the handle.

I should have bought a new torch long before now, it was well worth the money. I may still get a Flex Loc 230, if anybody has one, can you post how it's working out?