much smaller torch for powerpro 256?

[acannell]

I have a PowerPro 256 and I need a much smaller tig torch because I'm welding up something with lots of nooks and crannies.

I need to use up to 125amps AC on aluminum.

It can be air cooled.

I think the torch I'm using now is the EV18 which came with the welder.

I think they should change the way they list the torches to a spreadsheet comparing all of them..the long list with no pics is hard to read and makes it difficult to shop.

BTW the welder is coming up on 5 years and has been worth every penny. What a deal!!!

So my questions would be:

Is the EV17 much smaller than the EV18? There dont seem to be pics on the everlast site.

Could I get away with an even smaller series like the EV9 at 125amps (way over its rating), if I watch how much it heats up carefully?

Is there some kind of used option on ebay that would save me money so I could try it out and resell it if I dont like it?

Or some other brand of common used torch I could adapt?

Thanks for any help!

Heres what I'm welding, its an intake for the old chryslers:

The one in the pic was using the PowerPro256..not too great but its functional!! Thats why I want a smaller torch, the EV18 is just huge to get between the runners.

[Blaster]

Wow! You've lived with the torch that came with it for 5 Years now? Boy are you gonna love a new one

I switched to a Water Cooled 250 CK SuperFlex right away (I needed the amperage) and a little later to a CK Air Cooled 130 (MUCH smaller) and maybe just right for what you're doing.

There's a couple of way to go, the "SuperFlex" referrers to the flexibility of the wire (nice to be rope-like) and you can also get a "bendable" head and a "FlexLoc" head that is really nice (but not cheap, here's where I got mine -> http://store.mwsco.com/storefront/CK...rFlex-P-614512)

Compared to what you're using, it's a whole new world!

[acannell]

Wow! You've lived with the torch that came with it for 5 Years now? Boy are you gonna love a new one

I switched to a Water Cooled 250 CK SuperFlex right away (I needed the amperage) and a little later to a CK Air Cooled 130 (MUCH smaller) and maybe just right for what you're doing.

There's a couple of way to go, the "SuperFlex" referrers to the flexibility of the wire (nice to be rope-like) and you can also get a "bendable" head and a "FlexLoc" head that is really nice (but not cheap, here's where I got mine -> http://store.mwsco.com/storefront/CK...rFlex-P-614512)

Compared to what you're using, it's a whole new world!

Thanks for your help!

Yep it looks like the CK130 may be the way.

I'm still going to try and learn whats what and where to get what.

I'd like to have a fast, cheap way of ordering consumables for the CK so I can experiment with different gas accessories until I get it right. I.e. someone in the USA that ships first class mail.

Are the CK series compatible with generic consumables? For instance, my chinese "New Century" WP18 torch worked great with cups I bought from mcmaster.

So heres what I've found so far:

Below is a pic on here showing what I believe is a CK130 sitting next to the same torch I have, the WP18 that came with my power pro 256. I could be wrong about that though, but it looks identical.

Also, CK's site seems to be great, although a huge spreadsheet comparing every torch they have would be useful. But as a consolation prize they have a document showing torch dimensions!! Finally, now I can get excited about how much smaller it will be (thats what she said).

http://www.ckworldwide.com/torch_dim.pdf

[Rambozo]

9, 20, and CK series 2 all share consumables.

17,18,26, and CK series 3 all share consumables.

For intake manifolds you might want to look at a WP-24W (now renumbered to W-180). It's a specialty torch, but just great for getting into tight places.

[zoama]

Here's a video to help you.
I use generic gas lenses and 2% lanthanated tungsten from weldingcity.com
All these things can be purchases through Everlast.

[acannell]

Here's a video to help you.
I use generic gas lenses and 2% lanthanated tungsten from weldingcity.com
All these things can be purchases through Everlast.

Thanks Zoama! I've read several of your posts about the CK130 and thats whats led me to want to get it. I've decided on the CK130 flex with the 12 feet of super flex cable.

Might you know if CK changed the part number so that now the 35 dinse connector has a "QD" suffix? I cant seem to find the "LG" suffix anymore. Does the "QD" mean that it now has the right connector for everlast argon and we no longer need to pull out the one from our existing torches?

And where on Everlasts site can you buy CK stuff? I dont see it, just the EV series torches :/

[acannell]

9, 20, and CK series 2 all share consumables.

17,18,26, and CK series 3 all share consumables.

For intake manifolds you might want to look at a WP-24W (now renumbered to W-180). It's a specialty torch, but just great for getting into tight places.

the W180 looks like it might be perfect..so are similar ones..looks like I can get one for about twice the price of the air cooled version. So water cooled, flex head, 8 series tiny..about $144.

Do you think that the air cooled version might actually be easier to use since it doesnt have the water lines and weight? Even though it would heat up

[Rambozo]

the W180 looks like it might be perfect..so are similar ones..looks like I can get one for about twice the price of the air cooled version. So water cooled, flex head, 8 series tiny..about $144.

Do you think that the air cooled version might actually be easier to use since it doesnt have the water lines and weight? Even though it would heat up

My personal opinion is that for any extended aluminum welding I would always go water cooled. The cables are a bit more cumbersome, but I think that is more than offset that you can wear super thin gloves, because the torch stays cool. Plus for equal amps, the water cooled one will usually be smaller.
Yes with a 24W you tighten the collet body down to hold the tungsten. Obviously you can only use a very short tungsten, and the range of adjustment is small. If you often dip your tungsten in the puddle, you won't like this torch much. But for welding up tunnel ram manifolds, it's hard to beat.

Those CK micro torches look very interesting, but I have never used one. Maybe someday...

[acannell]

rats..I thought I had this all figured out...

now I'm wondering if maybe a CK90 FX would be better...1/2" shorter cup size versus the CK130 and its cheaper too..how hot would it get running 115A at say 60% duty cycle?

how do you de-rate TIG torches for various duty cycles?

too bad they done make a CK24W FLEX..now that would be insane

[zoama]

too bad they done make a CK24W FLEX..now that would be insane

http://www.ckworldwide.com/ck24f.htm

[acannell]

http://www.ckworldwide.com/ck24f.htm

water cooled I forgot to say lol!

Weldcraft makes one but its near $200 :/

[zoama]

water cooled I forgot to say lol!

Weldcraft makes one but its near $200 :/

Other brands don't have the 100% duty cycle in AC.

If small is what you're after it's hard to beat this> http://www.ckworldwide.com/micro_torch.htm

[acannell]

Other brands don't have the 100% duty cycle in AC.

If small is what you're after it's hard to beat this> http://www.ckworldwide.com/micro_torch.htm

That micro torch IS AWESOME. How the heck do they get 140amps through that???

And where on Everlasts site can you buy the CK stuff??

Could you tell me how the electrode gets installed in these 8 series torches with no back-cap? Does the cup tighten it down or something?

I'm looking at the CK24 air cooled now....

[acannell]

hmm theres this one

http://weldingdirect.com/wptigtowcpa1.html

so if im reading that right, 8 series head, water cooled, flexible head, and $144?? But doesnt seem to be much info on it....

[acannell]

Okay guys thank you for all your help!!

I went with a CK24, air cooled, flex head. Its about the same price as a CK130, but I am betting that the even smaller size will be more beneficial than the higher amperage rating. Also, I chose air cooled because that should make the torch even lighter and the cable more flexible than the water cooled version.

For 165$ shipped (weldfabulous) I got the torch, connector, and a bunch of cups, lenses, and collets to support 1/16" and 3/32" electrodes.

My only concern is the balance of duty cycle and amperage and how this small torch will work out. I think I'll need to use it between 100 and 115A, but I'm not sure how demanding I will be as far as duty cycle..I'm not that fast yet and mostly I just want to make it so making the bead on those runners isnt a STRUGGLE anymore..even if its slow.

Worst case if its too wimpy for aluminum at 105A, then at least it should be fantastic on steel at 60A. (exhaust headers)

We shall see!!

[everlastsupport]

Okay guys thank you for all your help!!

I went with a CK24, air cooled, flex head. Its about the same price as a CK130, but I am betting that the even smaller size will be more beneficial than the higher amperage rating. Also, I chose air cooled because that should make the torch even lighter and the cable more flexible than the water cooled version.

For 165$ shipped (weldfabulous) I got the torch, connector, and a bunch of cups, lenses, and collets to support 1/16" and 3/32" electrodes.

My only concern is the balance of duty cycle and amperage and how this small torch will work out. I think I'll need to use it between 100 and 115A, but I'm not sure how demanding I will be as far as duty cycle..I'm not that fast yet and mostly I just want to make it so making the bead on those runners isnt a STRUGGLE anymore..even if its slow.

Worst case if its too wimpy for aluminum at 105A, then at least it should be fantastic on steel at 60A. (exhaust headers)

We shall see!!

If you get time, post up parts list you ordered. Other might be interested in going that way too. Good idea on the air cool, just hope it handles the amps for you.

[acannell]

If you get time, post up parts list you ordered. Other might be interested in going that way too. Good idea on the air cool, just hope it handles the amps for you.

here ya go from weldfabulous

REMEMBER I am not that familiar ordering this particular set of parts..so I may have screwed up. But I think I got it right. I just ordered stuff for 1/16" and 3/32" electrodes, not the .020, .040.

Also, I didnt order the extra small gas lens thats a CK exclusive, because its $11 and I figured all the other gas lenses I ordered will get the job done, but it is interesting because it appears to be a very short stubby gas lens....

I would also like to mention that, like most blue collar industries, there are a zillion nonsensical "series" model numbers for Tig Torches, and it seems nobody has put it all into a giant spreadsheet so every torch made by CK can be compared at once.

Long lists of torches separated by "line" like "master" "standard" etc.. are really a pain to go through and make shopping for stuff un-fun and annoying. I could care less what marketing slot a torch fits into, I just want to see the specs! Please everlast, if and when you do put up the CK torches, just make a single page listing ever torch they have with relevant specs on one page, INCLUDING dimensions. And have links to ALL the consumables for that torch that will fit.

Building this order on weld fabulous was also a pain. I had to go back, search for the new part number ,add it to the cart, confirm, repeat, for these 2 dozen parts. Annoying.

And let me build my own kit of consumables please...I might want 10 pieces but I dont neccessarily need them in the assortment that is most "common"..

And PLEASE ship first class mail!! I cant believe there are still places online charging $15 for UPS ground when USPS could do it for $5. Why is that still happening??? Its not 1999 anymore!!

[zoama]

What are you going to do about the gas quick disconnect ? The Everlast specific torch package comes with the correct one installed.

[acannell]

What are you going to do about the gas quick disconnect ? The Everlast specific torch package comes with the correct one installed.

from what I can tell, the DINSE connector I bought specifically mentions everlast, and the picture of its gas fitting looks just like my everlast one. I think this new "QD" suffix has something to do with it.

[acannell]

one more thing..I noticed this torch had a much harder time starting an arc than I am used to..any ideas why?