Ck watercooled torch

[Canuck]

Has anybody had any experience with Ck's basic 250 amp watercooled torch?
I know it dose not compare well to the DB20 but it is half the price with the 25 foot lines.
Thanks
KB

[HAWK]

Canuck,

CK makes great torches. The biggest thing to watch for is the Super Flex hoses. The standard hoses are a heavy duty black plastic and are a pain to work with. If you are looking at the lower price end I doubt you are getting Super Flex braided hoses for the water and gas lines. Send me a link on what you are viewing.

[Canuck]

Thanks Hawk. The torch I was looking at was at the local welding store and did have the heavy duty plastic lines. I am still not sure if I will even be making the cooler as the cost of parts was going to be rather high( but still cheaper the buying one) so I will wait to see what happens in the future. It might become an on going project over the next 6 months.
Thanks for the help.
KB

[HAWK]

Canuck,

The HD plastic lines are fine to use, but are not very flexible. They become rather uncomfortable in short order. Well the lines are pretty flexible, but not when compared to the braided Superflex style.

[Canuck]

I have to agree, I also like the superflex lines. I guess I am sort of spoiled because at tech school we had two 300dx's with the superflex lines on them. I am back in there next week for the second half of my training so who knows maybe I can take one home

[cleaver]

Hi,

I have a somewhat related question. Is it possible to run a watercooled torch without water? like pretend its an aircooled torch?

Thank you

[HAWK]

clever,

No. That is not a good idea. The water cooled torch power cable and body are much smaller than its air cooled counterpart. Without the coolant to cool the power cable and head you will burn up the torch. It has no way to dissapate the heat other than by the coolant.

[cleaver]

Thank you hawk! Is there a place that sells good quality but cheap Air-cooled torches? If you have the time is it possible if you can lead me to the right path?

Thank you,
cleaver

[HAWK]

cleaver,

I have 6 torches (3 water cooled and 3 air cooled). Some are made by WNI, some by CK, and some by others. The WNI is a good quality unit. If I knew exactly what you are looking for, I could make a better recommendation. Here's the link to WNI: http://www.arcsmith.com/wni/contact.htm

[cleaver]

hi Hawk,

I have no clue what im going to use it for...basically I have a Maxstar 152 and it came with a water cooled torch, but I dont have a cooler with it. So I was thinking of running air-cooled one.

I would use it mostly on car stuff like suspension, manifolds, and exhaust piping. No bodywork stuff...

I noticed that there are sizes for these? what is the difference with a #17 vs #20? is it the size? or what? what is smaller?

Sorry to be asking these stupid question..im new to all this!

Thank you

[Canuck]

The #17 is an aircooled torch rated at 150 amps and the #20 is a watercooled torch rated 250 amps.
KB

[HAWK]

cleaver,

Long story short you should look at a 9 (125 amp air cooled) or 17 (150 amps air cooled torch). There is a 26 (200 amp air cooled) and it is quite bulky. Here is a link that will help you learn some differences about the torch #'s. Just click the torch #'s and see: http://www.arcsmith.com/wni/products...e/texplode.htm

[gclose]

G'day there canuck
Never had probs with CK torches myself. You can always connect up your mains water supply to the coolant IN side then regulate the flow with a small adjustable valve or tap to mimimise water usage. This is a system I use as my welder stays mainly in 1 location.This has been working well for years now but you do need to stay alert and make sure you turn the water on.
Cheers

[Canuck]

Thanks gclose I have decided to go with the ck torch but I will have to wait on when I get it because of some other home projects that must get done before the winter.

[cleaver]

cleaver,

Long story short you should look at a 9 (125 amp air cooled) or 17 (150 amps air cooled torch). There is a 26 (200 amp air cooled) and it is quite bulky. Here is a link that will help you learn some differences about the torch #'s. Just click the torch #'s and see: http://www.arcsmith.com/wni/products...e/texplode.htm

Thanks for the link hawk...I have a question, can I order from this website?

I found the dinse connection that I need, its part number DA-917F...this will fit the Standard 3/8" power connectors...

Thank you,
cleaver