Light and flexible torch for 255 EXT

[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.

[aland]

hi alan, this is everyone's thread. the more (info) the merrier. i'm liking this community already

I just wanted to make sure I wasn't stepping on your toes or replying to a message that was originally intended to you. Rambozo laid it out pretty good, he's very helpful here.

Alan

[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.

[aland]

Christain,

I have watched that and while it is true, what you point out above with the fitting to convert the connectors over to the proper end would work also, if someone did want to use the smaller/larger cable that is not the proper amps. Just like using a 150 amp cable on a 200 amp machine, the operator still needs to be aware that they should not run 200 amps through it, cause the machine won't know.

This brings up another question, I'm curious if any of you have an overhead cable holder to help keep the cable off the ground and away from sparks? These flex cables look pretty durable but I'm pretty sure that hot sparks, slag or metal would burn through it. I don't want to test that to find out...

Alan

[christian]

Yeah,

The point is, the one Safe Loc could work perfectly for both 17 and 26 hose/torch assemblies.

Of course, either hose and torch assembly has a duty-cycle that can easily be exceeded by an operator with a 17 torch on a 200 amp or with a 17 and 26 torch using a 250 amp machine.

I mean, I've smoked a 9 torch and 17 flex head torch, along with corkscrewing numerous standard-style collets, due to exceeding their duty-cycles, which has undoubtedly also exceeded the duty cycle of the hose/power cable assembly, even though I've never blown out a hose/power cable.

I use a pigskin cover on my main torch, as it is easy for the hose alone to touch some hot metal and have a problem real quick. I mean, the ultra flex hose material is silicone, so it may be almost impervious to heat, but I wouldn't bet on it.

[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.

[aland]

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.

Well, none of us can keep track of it all, and speaking for myself you have been really helpful in explaining some of this connector info. I appreciate it.

Alan

[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

[diyjer]

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.

exactly my thoughts. but i couldn't find a separate flexible ck-9 head torch in weldfabulous. thanks for telling me these cheap ones and where i can buy them. but for one, amazon.com doesn't ship to australia. and frankly, i just want to order in one place and not overthink all this. i know i'll be saving if i buy here and there but i just want peace of mind that when i buy they will all fit with no issues. besides, i have to pay for shipping for each source.

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

everlast australia doesn't have much these days. i've asked them and for now no stock and i was told that they don't know when they're going to have. anyway, if i'm ordering from weldfabulous, i'll be charged over $USD100 (arghhh) for shipping so might as well order everything from there and forget about it.


looks like i found the flexible CK9 torch head-body only it's just that they don't have stock right now.
CK CK9 FX Torch Body, Gas 125A, 70 Flex, (xref: WP-9F)
http://weldfabulous.com/ck-ck9-fx-to...fx-xref-wp-9f/

so what i will do, and thanks for this Christian, i will just order the following and save me around $46USD ($60AUD):

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

CK CK9 FX Torch Body, Gas 125A, 70 Flex, (xref: WP-9F)
http://weldfabulous.com/ck-ck9-fx-to...fx-xref-wp-9f/

and the dinse

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/

and get over it (hahaha)

[christian]

Yeah,

I'd skip the 9 torch head altogether and save another $46, since they're out-of-stock anyway, and a 9 torch head may not fit the handle of the 17.

But, yeah, I get it, about an expedient purchase, even if it costs a little more.

[diyjer]

Yeah,

I'd skip the 9 torch head altogether and save another $46, since they're out-of-stock anyway, and a 9 torch head may not fit the handle of the 17.

But, yeah, I get it, about an expedient purchase, even if it costs a little more.

i forgot about the handle for the 9 torch. thanks for reminding me. i will order that as well. i'm not in a hurry. i can still survive with whatever came with the 255ext. it's just that in the near future i have a lot of things to tig weld around the house and i want something more comfortable to use.

[Rambozo]

If you use the stubby hardware on the 17, there is very little difference between that and a 9. So you can probably just skip the 9 all together. You can see the difference in sizes here. From top to bottom:
A 26
A 17 with large hardware.
A 17 with stubby hardware.
A 9 (actually a 20 but those two are the same size)



As you can tell the different brands of torch have an impact on size, too.

Lincoln, ???, Everlast, Weldcraft.

[diyjer]

If you use the stubby hardware on the 17, there is very little difference between that and a 9. So you can probably just skip the 9 all together. You can see the difference in sizes here. From top to bottom:
A 26
A 17 with large hardware.
A 17 with stubby hardware.
A 9 (actually a 20 but those two are the same size)

As you can tell the different brands of torch have an impact on size, too.

Lincoln, ???, Everlast, Weldcraft.

hi rambozo, based on the photo you put in here, i can see that 9 is definitely smaller than 17. yeah, i'm sure i can survive with 17 alone and from whatever i've read and watched in youtube, a lot of people, even the best of the best in tig are attesting to the fact that they too have the the 17 as their go-to torch. still, i'd want to have a 9 just in case i will need it. besides, i have a feeling i might be using it more than the 17 with the kind of projects that i'll be having. i'm a small person with small hands (yeah...unfortunate as it maybe..hahaha), so i'm sure i'll benefit with the smallest of torch which can do what i want within the amperage that i need.

also, i'd rather order it together with 17 because i'm paying the same shipping anyway. i don't want to regret and order it later and pay another shipping cost. i'm only a hobbyist, yes. but this is my only hobby (and vice) so i want to pamper myself by having want i want. have you had that feeling when you want something and even though you know you can survive without it but you still want to have it? that's my feeling with the 9..and the 17 with flex cables.

but thanks for pointing out to me what you have pointed out.

[diyjer]

Yeah,

I'd skip the 9 torch head altogether and save another $46, since they're out-of-stock anyway, and a 9 torch head may not fit the handle of the 17.

But, yeah, I get it, about an expedient purchase, even if it costs a little more.

christian, just to be clear, the 9 torch head and the 17 torch head, can be interchangeable connected (attached) to the same flex cable? it's just that the hand of the 17 and 9 are different sizes??

[christian]

Yep,

A 9 torch and a 17 torch both fit onto the same hose, so there's no need for a hose for each of those two torches, unless you just want two full hose assemblies for them, i.e., it's more sensible to just swap the 9 or the 17 torch onto the same, single hose assembly, which can save about $100.

christian, just to be clear, the 9 torch head and the 17 torch head, can be interchangeable connected (attached) to the same flex cable? it's just that the hand of the 17 and 9 are different sizes??

[oleblu72]

I just found a new CK TL26 flex 25FT. lead on Ebay for 100 beaners that I bought because I couldn't see me springing for a cooler right away I also bought a stubby lens kit for it to make its foot print a little smaller.

Mark

[BCBoy]

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

Thanks for the link to the torch heads.