Welding Tips and Tricks

Hello to all! I hope You could give me some hints.

1st. matter: I have watched Jody's and Tony's videos about this torch subject. It seems to me that the CK 20 style and CK Flexloc watercooled are the options for me. I do not like anything flimsy, so no flexheads for me.

Jody:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lplipcJ5cyc&t=21s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ICnwI3StbY

TOT:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X82o_Dpz97c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bG_vrf6EQwE

I am planning to start with my 200A MMA DC (stick welder) inverter and to buy later a 300A DC inverter Tig from the same supplier - Stahlwerk (China Export from Germany). I like the knob style adjustments and hopefully I can use it as a stick welder if the tig side is not so great...

If I have understood correctly - Jody have said that the bigger differences with the machines are usually in the AC side - AC machines are also a lot more expensive - as I wish to get over 250A machine. Aluminium is quite expensive here in Finland and I have understood that it is dangerous to use unknown grade aluminium for any structural uses - and unknown stuff is mostly what I have available with my money here nearby - from metal shop's scrap and from scrap selling suppliers. Therefore I am going to stick with the steel and maybe some stainless if needed or material available.

With the information from Jody and Tony I am leaning a bit towards FlexLoc watercooled. Since I don't wish to use my hard earned money for nothing - I am asking if there is any major problems with the FlexLoc system? Second choice should be this 20 style small watercooled torch. FlexLoc just to get into the tight places and odd angles...

2 nd. matter: How much power the CK 25 feet watercooled superflex cable is capable to handle without major voltage drop in the torch end - or should I just buy the 12 1/2 feet cables? http://www.ckworldwide.com/fl230-250.html

3rd. matter - can You give me list of the parts that I need to connect random welding machines to these CK torches? As I wrote beyond, I am going to start with DC stick welder and I don't know the connections of the possible new "proper" Tig welder - therefore I wish if You can tell me proper parts which I can use now - and in the future if I manage to buy bigger amperage machine.

I think I would like to have some parts to where I can bolt power cables straight on without any combination fittings - and add gas line directly with "barb joint & hose clamp" style fitting from the bottle (maybe some solenoid valve in the line too).

I think I don't want to mess with the CK combined power and gas hose - other hoses I guess are doable with barb fittings and hose clamps?

PS - sorry if my english grammar is bad. Please comment privately if You find something disturbing. I am pro learning person, so I really like if some native can give some hints!

arpati wrote: It seems to me that the CK 20 style and CK Flexloc watercooled are the options for me. I do not like anything flimsy, so no flexheads for me.

With the information from Jody and Tony I am leaning a bit towards FlexLoc watercooled. Since I don't wish to use my hard earned money for nothing - I am asking if there is any major problems with the FlexLoc system? Second choice should be this 20 style small watercooled torch. FlexLoc just to get into the tight places and odd angles...

2 nd. matter: How much power the CK 25 feet watercooled superflex cable is capable to handle without major voltage drop in the torch end - or should I just buy the 12 1/2 feet cables? http://www.ckworldwide.com/fl230-250.html

3rd. matter - can You give me list of the parts that I need to connect random welding machines to these CK torches?

I think I don't want to mess with the CK combined power and gas hose - other hoses I guess are doable with barb fittings and hose clamps?

Hello and welcome to the forum
I'll answer those questions that I can.

I have found CK TIG torches to be very high quality, like anything else mechanical they do experience wear, that said the flexlok or the flex head will last a long time if taken care of. I have the CK 20 flexhead and its rare that I actually move/bend it.

Never had any problems with a 25 ft (length) cable, and have never been at a shop that used the 12-1/2ft cables

3rd matter
To know what fittings are required we would need to know the specific machine connection (type). A call or email to CK tech support with specific information will get you the information you need.

Hope this helps

Absolutely agree, you need to literally boil down your selections to one final choice for welding machine AND water cooler.

About the superflex power cable - is there any data/pictures of the amount/size of the copper inside the cable? I am just curious and I want to know what I am buying...

I guess this is suitable for the flexloc torch? http://www.ckworldwide.com/fl230-250.html

About the fittings - I was just thinking of buying these "bolt on adapter" parts for power&water cable and just add threaded and barbed connector for waterline.

http://www.ckworldwide.com/bolt-on-adapters.html

The machine which I am planning to buy later (if still available then), seems to have the din power connectors and separate gas quick connector. So it is not much different to my existing stick welder connections.



My water cooler will be DIY stuff, so most likely barbed connectors and hose clamps...

Is there suitable threaded and barbed connectors for the superflex cable connections? Power line seems to be 7/8" - 14 LH, Argon line 5/8" - 18 RH and water line 5/8 - 18 LH. I presume these RH and LH are right hand thread and left hand thread?



I think I need some adapters at least for bolt on power&water adapter to water line...

For the pure water and gas lines - I think I will just cut the threaded connectors away - not usually a big deal with ABA one size hose clamps to get proper seal... I will save them of course and they can be used if they fit to some other welder in future.

arpati wrote:About the superflex power cable - is there any data/pictures of the amount/size of the copper inside the cable? I am just curious and I want to know what I am buying...

You can look on CK's website but I don't believe they list this information, just send an email with your question and any concern you may have.

Their torches are rated at 100% duty cycle for AC and DC for the amperage the torch is designed to handle, I don't think the cables will be a problem.