Need reccomendation on heavy duty water TIG torch

[TEACHM2WELD]

I teach welding in state prison and right now replacing all my water cooled TIG torches(6 old TECs)after they've seen a lot of arc time. I've been reading about different brands of torches and have been told that my old faithful TEC torch (orange rubber-coated body) is no longer used much out in the trade. I'm getting a lot of different pitches from suppliers on different torches (weldcraft, systematics,etc.), but I wonder how much their opinion is related to what they have in stock. I need a torch that holds up. If you think you need heavy duty equipment in the field,just wait till you see what it takes to hold up in a prison trade school! I would like to hear what holds up well out there in the trade. Anybody want to give me any input or reccomendations on a good water cooled TIG torch that they have seen hold up well the trade, or better yet hold up well in training environment?

[HAWK]

TEACHM2WELD,

Weldcraft makes a great torch and some of them carry the Miller Diamondback logo. The Weldcraft 20 is a 250 amp water cooled unit that seems to hold up well. If you drop it a back cap may snap or a cup might crack, but the torch itself (body and hoses are nearly indestructible). Be sure to order the unit with -R suffix rather than -HD. The -R gives you the super nice braided and color coded hoses. You can literally tie them in knots, stomp them, drive a car over them and keep on welding! The -HD are heavy duty vinyl lines that I personally would not have. Over all this unit is as bullet-proof as I have seen in this modern age. Miller offers this unit as the DB20M25R Diamondback 25' unit with the flexible braided lines. It is rated at 250 amps, but will handle 300 amps all day long with a good 60PSI coolant in its veins.

[TEACHM2WELD]

Thanks HAWK-
Great information!

[HAWK]

TEACHM2WELD,

I wish you well. Check out this jewel and tell us what you think.

[bail76]

Hawk is right the weldcraft 250 amp water cooled torches are great we use them for our students at the hobart institute of welding technology and they hold up very well. I would recommend getting the protective cover for the lines so if the torch gets laid over a hot part it doesn't get hole burnt in one of the lines.Best of luck.

[HAWK]

bail76,

10-4 on the zipper shroud. Mine came with it and I forgot to mention it. It sure does keep the lines nice and neat! Good job Weldcraft!-Just one of many excellent ITW (Illinois Tool Works)companies!!!

bail76,

I zip tied the top end of my shroud over the torch handle rim. It works great that and does not slip down the lines.