CK TIG Torch Basics

Looking for information about a CK TIG Torch?

Here are some basics about CK TIG torches and also other brands.

What TIG torch should you buy next?
and will it work with your welder?

Ok , lets say you decided to go ahead and buy a tig welding machine.

And either it didnt come with a TIG torch or you dont like the torch that came with it.

There are so many choices out there...air cooled , water cooled, air cooled with gas valve, flex head, rigid head, 100amp vs 250 amp ...you get the picture... so you need to know a few things before you buy.

If you are accustomed to using a small style torch whether water or air cooled, I can almost guarantee you will not be happy with the standard torch and hardware that come with most 200-220  amp tig welders.

In my experience, if a 200 ish amp machine comes with a tig torch it will be either a #26 style or #17 style air cooled tig torch and the torch cable feels like a boa constricter that swallowed a blue pill.

thats where super flex cables come in...more on that below

Air Cooled TIG torches, #9, #17, #26

A #17 torch is rated for 150 amps but can weld at 200 amps for brief periods without getting too awfully hot in your hand.

A #26 style tig torch can handle 200 amps and uses the same cups and hardware as a #17 torch.

A trimline #26 CK tig torch with super flex cable can handle 200 amps too and wont wear out your wrist.

a #9 style tig torch is air cooled also and most #9 air cooled tig torches are rated for 125 amps. ( I have burnt a few of them up on 200 amp welders but I really pushed them hard)

Both the 17 and 26 style torches are considerably bigger than the air cooled #9...especially if you use the standard tig cups and hardware that usually come with them.

That is where a Stubby Gas lens kit helps

What is a stubby gas lens?

The standard collet body for a 17 air cooled tig torch is almost 2 inches long and uses port holes to push the argon shielding gas  thru the cup.

A gas lens uses  fine screens to diffuse the argon gas to provide a smoother flow.  kinda like the diffuser screen in a water faucet.

A smoother column of argon allows for a longer tungsten stick out.  A long stickout is not always needed but it is great to have the option for hard to reach welds.

A stubby gas lens will allow using the shorter cups that also fit the smaller 9 and 20 style tig torches.

Our Stubby gas lens kit just got upgraded with more cups along with a 3/32" furick stubby gas lens.

That one simple change lets you use furick cups both clear and ceramic without needing to purchase an adapter kit...saving you around 25 bucks should you want to try out some furick cups down the line.

Is a CK TIG torch the best choice over other brands like Weldcraft, or WeldTec?

I have used several tig torches from CK, Weldcraft, and WeldTec  and they all make good tig torches.

For me, it boils down to both personal preference and people.

I like CK TIG torches...and I like the people at CK.