Light and flexible torch for 255 EXT

[diyjer]

hello everyone,

i just joined in the forum and i just bought PowerTIG 255 EXT last dec. i haven't used it yet actually. i want to buy a couple of tig torches which are light and very flexible. the torches that came with the unit are bulky and rigid and heavy for me. though they have flex head, i still want similar to this

http://weldfabulous.com/ck-ck1512hsf...ece-superflex/

or this

https://www.arc-zone.com/flexible-to...g-ck1512hsf-fx

now, i have a few questions. i understand i need to buy male dinse connector that would fit the female DINSE 35-70mm² of my 255ext. and that dinse connector should have a gas outlet connector where i can connect the gas tube that will connect to gas outlet 9mm quick connect of the 255ext?

i've attached some photos i screen captured from youtube (pithy bike's channel) to clearly show what i mean.

1. what exactly are the correct flexible torches i can buy? for now i'm not going to weld anything more than 150amps i guess.
2. where can i buy the dinse connector where i can connect the flexible torch and which has the gas outlet i can connect to 9mm quick connect of the 255ext.

i have a lot of other questions but this is all for now.

thanks in advanced for any help and guidance you can give to newbie like me.


joe

[Rambozo]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7fSrTyAwWs

[diyjer]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7fSrTyAwWs

hi rambozo, christian,

thanks a lot for a quick reply. i watched the youtube rambozo gave and clicked on all the links which christian gave. looks like i found the one mentioned in youtube is what i want to have. now, i'm still confused about these torches, the type, sizes, etc.

i believe what was mentioned in video is: CK CK26-25-RSF FX TIG Torch Pkg 200A Flex, 25' 1pc SuperFlex
(http://weldfabulous.com/ck-ck26-25-r...-fx-superflex/). this brings me to a question. is this type 26 torch? and if it is, this is big but it can do up to 200A as gas cooled torch?

how about CK CK17-25-RSF FX TIG Torch Pkg 150A Flex, 25' 1pc SuperFlex ?
(http://weldfabulous.com/ck-ck17-25-r...-fx-superflex/) is this a type 17 torch?

CK CK9-25-RSF FX TIG Torch Pkg 125A Flex, 25' 1pc SuperFlex ?
(http://weldfabulous.com/ck-ck9-25-rs...ece-superflex/) and this is type 9 torch?

i'm clarifying this because i'm confused about the numbering system. and all the above mentioned torches gas cooled?

my next question: are all these compatible with my everlast 255ext?? related question is can they fit the CK SL8-35QD SafeLoc Male Dinse 35 (1/2") (CK26,TL26) Q/D ?

not that i'm buying all of them. i want to know first if all of them will work with my machine and then i will choose which one i want to buy.

sorry, i have so many questions. can we not just buy the head alone (exluding the flex red tube) and then interchange them using one flex cable? is the red flex tube not detachable? or can we just buy the head alone at all?

it's very costly if i want to have at least 2 of them with individual flexible cables. i'm also weighing my option and future applications if i want to go with ck17 and ck26. but i'd be happy to have all the 3 if i can buy only the 3 heads and 1 flex cable and would be able to change the head that i need or prefer to use at any given application.

i hope i'm not confusing everyone as much as i am confused with the torches

ok, last questions for now. the argon gas inlet at the back. it's annoying that it's in the middle. is there any L adaptor type we can use so the gas cable won't be nodging the gas tank? is there anyway that can be converted to a quick connect? and the clear gas hose, any recommendation for a replacement for it? looks flimsy to me.

btw, amazon US can not ship any of this to australia (not sure why). there's already amazon.com.au but they don't have this item as amazon is new to australia. so i'm going by weldfabulous or other dealers who have this and will ship to australia. any idea which offers these items the lowest price?

thanks again.
jo

[performance]

The US 255ext torches in the new units aren't bulky. They are very similar to CK standard line torches and flex cables, and if anything will carry a bit more power. I think it's probably prejudice. Once you put them side by side you won't be able to tell the difference in bulk.

The NOVA rotaflex are available direct and individually from Everlast. Just call. Also these torches are nearly identical in construction to the CK and cables are just as flexible, and the dinse connector is better in my opinion. Way cheaper, and they have a two year warranty IIRC.

[diyjer]

The US 255ext torches in the new units aren't bulky. They are very similar to CK standard line torches and flex cables, and if anything will carry a bit more power. I think it's probably prejudice. Once you put them side by side you won't be able to tell the difference in bulk.

The NOVA rotaflex are available direct and individually from Everlast. Just call. Also these torches are nearly identical in construction to the CK and cables are just as flexible, and the dinse connector is better in my opinion. Way cheaper, and they have a two year warranty IIRC.

hi mark, i got my 255ext here in australia (everlast-welders.com.au). are you saying the unit in australia and the units in US come with different torches? because the torches that came with my 255ext are bulky. they are no different from my cigweld torch. bulky with unwielding cables.

thanks

[performance]

I would imagine so. We use the 9 and 20 torches here on the unit.

[diyjer]

based on this http://www.ckworldwide.com/dinse-gas-cooled.html

i'm planning to buy these 2 torches:

CK CK9-12-RSF FX TIG Torch Pkg 125A Flex, 12-1/2' 1pc SuperFlex
http://weldfabulous.com/ck-ck9-12-rs...ece-superflex/


CK CK17-12-RSF FX TIG Torch Pkg 150A Flex, 12-1/2' 1pc SuperFlex
http://weldfabulous.com/ck-ck17-12-r...-fx-superflex/

which i believe are both compatible with this:

CK SL2-35QD SafeLoc Male Dinse 35 (1/2") (CK9,17,MR70) Q/D
http://weldfabulous.com/ck-sl2-35qd-...9-17-mr70-q-d/


questions:

1. am i correct to say that those two torches with their flex cables can use the same safelock dinse interchangeably?
2. this is the correct dinse i can use for 255ext?
3. what is that hole i can see in the male dinse? is this the wrong dinse? looks like gas-through type dinse. if this is wrong, which is the correct dinse for 255 ext
4. any other store i can order these from other than weldfabulous and will ship to australia?

thanks

[christian]

Yeah,

All your proverbial planets look like they're in alignment.

But, those two CK flex hoses are indentical, so they'll both mate to the SafeLoc/Dinse connector fine, but they'll also both take a 9 or 17 torch at the other end, so you don't really need two hose assemblies. I mean, you're not also buying two SafeLoc/Dinse connectors, i.e., one for each, even though that would make for the utmost convenience in switching from a 9 to a 17 torch.

No, the more cost-effective way, and pretty fast way too, to switch from a 9 to a 17 torch is just to get a cheap torch head (non-CK, without the added hose assembly), and swap it onto the one hose assembly and Dinse. Also, Everlast-Australia undoubtedly sells a torch/hose/assembly with the Dinse and gas quick-connect built-into the hose assembly.

Here's a 17 flex head torch for $8.99, delivered, tax-free, to the North American continent. I find flex head torches like these to be just as good as the CK stuff, which cost a lot more, needlessly.



https://www.amazon.com/Welding-Torch...G+17+flex+head

You can find a 9 torch that would do as much if you bought a CK assembly, or even a Everlast one with the 17 torch included.

Yeah, that is not a gas-through Dinse, since it has the quick-connect on it.

Here's the Everlast link, and even though it doesn't show the TIG torches separately, I'm guessing you could call a order one cheap than the CK stuff from a N.A. source. http://www.everlast-welders.com.au/category/Consumables

Also, Token Tools in OZ sells welders that use the same Dinse and quick-connect line that Everlast does, so you could undoubtedly buy a torch assembly from them too. https://www.tokentools.com.au

[Rambozo]

Basic torch numbering is/was standardized across different brands, but there are some exceptions.
The big differences are the different hardware that each torch uses. There are two major versions of hardware and a few specialty versions. They use different size threads so they do not interchange.
The small hardware is shared on the 9 series gas cooled torch and the 20 series water cooled torch.
The large hardware is used on the 17 and 26 gas cooled, and the 18 water cooled.
There is also a special stubby version that basically uses the small hardware size on the large series torches.
The cables use standard connectors, but will be different sizes rated for different current. Same with the torches and hardware, they will all have a current limit and you should not exceed the maximum rating of any of the parts. For example the stubby hardware will lower the rating of your torch somewhat. So while you could put a 26 torch on in place of a 17, the cable that came with the 17 will not handle the current that the 26 torch can use. So while you can mix and match, you have to be aware of what the weak link is and not exceed the lowest rating of your combination. In practice the brand make more difference in torch sizes. CK has 17 and 26 torches that are practically the same size. But the cables are different to accommodate the different current limits of each torch. So if you wanted to use only one cable, make it a 26 and you could swap a 9 or 17 torch with no worries about overloading the cable. It would just not be as flexible as it could be for a small 9 torch. It all depends on what your priorities are. My advise is to use what comes with the machine for a while. See what type of work you do and you will have a better idea of what you need in terms of size, current, and cable length.

[diyjer]

Basic torch numbering is/was standardized across different brands, but there are some exceptions.
The big differences are the different hardware that each torch uses. There are two major versions of hardware and a few specialty versions. They use different size threads so they do not interchange.
The small hardware is shared on the 9 series gas cooled torch and the 20 series water cooled torch.
The large hardware is used on the 17 and 26 gas cooled, and the 18 water cooled.
There is also a special stubby version that basically uses the small hardware size on the large series torches.
The cables use standard connectors, but will be different sizes rated for different current. Same with the torches and hardware, they will all have a current limit and you should not exceed the maximum rating of any of the parts. For example the stubby hardware will lower the rating of your torch somewhat. So while you could put a 26 torch on in place of a 17, the cable that came with the 17 will not handle the current that the 26 torch can use. So while you can mix and match, you have to be aware of what the weak link is and not exceed the lowest rating of your combination. In practice the brand make more difference in torch sizes. CK has 17 and 26 torches that are practically the same size. But the cables are different to accommodate the different current limits of each torch. So if you wanted to use only one cable, make it a 26 and you could swap a 9 or 17 torch with no worries about overloading the cable. It would just not be as flexible as it could be for a small 9 torch. It all depends on what your priorities are. My advise is to use what comes with the machine for a while. See what type of work you do and you will have a better idea of what you need in terms of size, current, and cable length.

thanks a lot for that rambozo. very clear and helpful specially for a newbie like me.

also, i found this in the CK website. one just needs to look around. but also it's better to ask as well when you really can't find what you're looking for.

http://www.ckworldwide.com/dinse-gas-cooled.html

this tells which torch goes with which dinse. i want to order a couple and i don't want to make a mistake because shipping from US to australia takes time and costly as well.

[diyjer]

...CK has 17 and 26 torches that are practically the same size. But the cables are different to accommodate the different current limits of each torch. So if you wanted to use only one cable, make it a 26 and you could swap a 9 or 17 torch with no worries about overloading the cable. It would just not be as flexible as it could be for a small 9 torch. It all depends on what your priorities are. My advise is to use what comes with the machine for a while. See what type of work you do and you will have a better idea of what you need in terms of size, current, and cable length.

hi rambozo, going back to what you said here, are you saying the CK 17 and 26 torches can be used interchangeable with the 26 cable? are the connectors that connects 17 and 26 torches to their cables the same size? only the cables are of different sizes? sorry, english is not my native language. i only moved to australia a few years back. so i may not be understanding you correctly or i may not be expressing myself correctly.

[Rambozo]

hi rambozo, going back to what you said here, are you saying the CK 17 and 26 torches can be used interchangeable with the 26 cable? are the connectors that connects 17 and 26 torches to their cables the same size? only the cables are of different sizes? sorry, english is not my native language. i only moved to australia a few years back. so i may not be understanding you correctly or i may not be expressing myself correctly.

It appears not with the current CK line. While the 9 and 17 share a torch connector size, CGA-A (they even share the same cable) the 26 has a larger CGA-B fitting. Again there are adapters from Western and WeldCraft to allow this, but I don't see one from CK right off. So it won't be plug and play out of the box. The stock handle would also not likely fit. I have a mixture of some older products and some of those are interchangeable. I should have checked the current lineup before speaking up.

[christian]

Yeah,

The one CK Worldwide Safe Loc Dinse clamshell will not fit both 17 and 26 hose/cables, or their water-cooled equivalents. So CK has got you for over a $100 just for two connectors on a 17 and a 26 torch, if you have both, as I do. Everlast torch assemblies don't have that separation or added cost, even though the separation can have some advantages.

The SL8 will work for a 26 TIG torch and hose. The SL2 will work for a 9/17 TIG torch and hose. The 35 suffix designates the 1/2" Dinse (a 25 denotes 3/8"), which is what Everlast has on the 255EXT, and the QD designates the 9mm quick-disconnect which the Everlast also uses.

I don't notice a CK SL8 Safe Loc model that denotes the "QD", so I'd buy a barbed 9mm quick-disconnect fitting and some Oetiker clamps, which are a more elegant solution than how CK uses a compression fitting with a QD 9mm adapter on their SL2-35QD for the 9/17 torches. Everlast sells the 9mm fittings. I mean, that's what I did, even on a SL2-35QD I have, since I wanted to shorten the small gas line to the Safe Loc anyway.

[Rambozo]

There is an adapter to reduce the 7/8 to 5/8 but it probably would not fit in the plastic clam shell that CK uses. It is a WeldCraft item. Also water cooled while being the same 7/8-14 thread, is left handed to avoid mixing water and gas cooled items. Same with torches that use CGA B 5/8-18 lines for water and argon, the argon is right hand thread while the water is left hand. One downside of Everlast using the same QD fittings for both water and argon is a number of people end up pumping water out the front of their torch and come here complaining about defective torches. So if you want to upgrade to water cooled, you will end up buying yet another Safe-Loc end.

[christian]

Yeah,

It'd be nice if CK Worldwide would just include an adapter like that so people could use their "patented" Safe Loc on 17 or 26 torches right out of the box.

I mean, it might cause a few less sales, but I'd have more respect for CK that way, as I currently look for any alternative to patronizing CK Worldwide, since their pricing is high and they seem to have almost no competition, until just lately, with Everlast flexie hoses and Rota head stuff.

There are now imported wedge collets now, too, as an alternative to the CK stuff, which causes one to buy 5 wedge collets of the same size at a time, but the import stuff often includes four different sizes, which is a money saver and reduces order making. I just don't know if the imported stuff has wedge collets for the stubby gas lens kits yet, i.e., not the standard 9 or 17 collet types/lengths.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...=wedge+collets

[christian]

Yeah,

If you want to piece-it-out with CK Worldwide stuff, the individual Safe Loc Dinse connector with the Quick Connect for most Everlast TIG units is CK SL2-35QD, priced at around $57, which would work great with a 17 torch and hose/power cable.

https://www.amazon.com/CK-SL2-35QD-S...35qd+safe+lock

But, more recently, Everlast now has their own Ultra Flex hose and torch assemblies with the Dinse connector built-in, so there's no added cost for it, but then it is never really detachable, which seems OK.

I mean, while you're in the TIG torch assembly market, I'd consider the Everlast Rota-Flex TIG torch head/assembly too, which is similar to CK Worldwide's Flex-Loc but is more costly to obtain than the Everlast.

So, it's a one-stop affair with Everlast for the Rota-Flex with their Ultra Flexie cable with the Dinse and the right quick connect gas fitting, without the gas connector being adapted from a compression fitting as CK Worldwide does it. And it's $149, out-the-door for the 12.5'.

https://www.everlastgenerators.com/p...-35-type-dinse

[oleblu72]

Yeah,

If you want to piece-it-out with CK Worldwide stuff, the individual Safe Loc Dinse connector with the Quick Connect for most Everlast TIG units is CK SL2-35QD, priced at around $57, which would work great with a 17 torch and hose/power cable.

https://www.amazon.com/CK-SL2-35QD-S...35qd+safe+lock

But, more recently, Everlast now has their own Ultra Flex hose and torch assemblies with the Dinse connector built-in, so there's no added cost for it, but then it is never really detachable, which seems OK.

I mean, while you're in the TIG torch assembly market, I'd consider the Everlast Rota-Flex TIG torch head/assembly too, which is similar to CK Worldwide's Flex-Loc but is more costly to obtain than the Everlast.

So, it's a one-stop affair with Everlast for the Rota-Flex with their Ultra Flexie cable with the Dinse and the right quick connect gas fitting, without the gas connector being adapted from a compression fitting as CK Worldwide does it. And it's $149, out-the-door for the 12.5'.

https://www.everlastgenerators.com/p...-35-type-dinse

Hey Christian do you have a Everlast Roto-Flex torch and if you do how do you like it? I upgraded to the Roto-Flex #9 torch which is supposed to be delivered tomorrow along with my 255. I'll have to reorder some tungsten UPS delivered an empty package today I noticed the envelope had a 4" tear so I must have tungsten scattered from N.J. all the way to Ohio.

Mark

[christian]

Nah,

I don't have one because you can't buy one separately or cheaply, from Everlast, CK, or WeldTec.

I mean, ideally I do want one, but my cheapo Flex 17 is adequate, and I've got a couple torch assemblies already.

Hey Christian do you have a Everlast Roto-Flex torch and if you do how do you like it? I upgraded to the Roto-Flex #9 torch which is supposed to be delivered tomorrow along with my 255. I'll have to reorder some tungsten UPS delivered an empty package today I noticed the envelope had a 4" tear so I must have tungsten scattered from N.J. all the way to Ohio.

Mark

[oleblu72]

Ok thanks Christian. I have to learn how to run a tig before I start thinking about another torch or two anyway.

Mark

[christian]

Here's a little video I noticed that shows more on the differences between 17 versus 26 TIG torch hoses and Dinse connector, especially related to CK's Safe Loc stuff. It's a Mr. TIG one, which I always helpful.