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Answers to common questions about choosing and using a complete light-duty, air-cooled TIG torch package.
A rigid head gives a stable, repeatable feel and is generally the more durable option, so it suits repetitive or precision work. A flexible head can be bent to reach awkward joints without twisting your wrist or body, which makes it more versatile; the flexible neck can loosen over time with heavy use.A pencil-style torch is slim and short, so it suits very tight access, such as small pipe or confined corners, although the grip can be less comfortable over long runs. Think about the joints you weld most and how much room you have.
A valve on the torch handle lets you switch the shielding gas on and off at the torch. It is most useful if your welding machine has no built-in gas solenoid to control the gas for you, and it can also be handy for checking flow or purging the hose.If your machine already controls the gas, a torch without a valve works perfectly well and is simpler. Check your machine's manual to see how gas is controlled before you choose. Our team can help you pick the right arrangement.
The rating is the current the torch is designed to carry for a stated share of a 10-minute period, which is the usual way duty cycle is defined; some makers use a 5-minute period instead. The figure only applies at the current shown with it.Welding above that rating, or for longer than the duty cycle allows, can overheat the torch and cable. Choose a torch whose rating is at or above the current you actually weld at, and check the maker's conditions for the rating, such as AC or DC, gas type and cable length.
The HSE says the welder is responsible for daily equipment checks and for reporting defects, and that the insulation on cables, plugs and the torch should be undamaged. Look along the whole cable for cuts, crushed or kinked sections and signs of heat, and check the handle, switch and connectors for damage.Also check the torch head is assembled correctly and the gas connection is tight. If you doubt the equipment is safe, stop using it and have a competent person check or repair it before it is used again.
Yes. Argon is heavier than air and in still conditions can collect in low-lying areas, pits and enclosed spaces. The HSE warns that an atmosphere without enough oxygen can cause loss of consciousness in seconds, often without any breathlessness as a warning, and that several workers have been affected because rescuers were overcome as well.Avoid welding with shielding gas in confined spaces where you can. Where it cannot be avoided, follow your risk assessment, which should include oxygen testing, a safe system of work and emergency arrangements that do not rely on someone entering unprotected.
Most TIG arcs are started with high frequency, which produces very short sparks of several thousand volts so the arc jumps the gap without the tungsten touching the metal. This keeps the electrode clean and the start reliable.High frequency can cause interference with nearby electronic equipment, so keep the torch cable and work lead tidy and away from sensitive devices. People with medical implants such as pacemakers should take advice from their doctor and the equipment maker before working near TIG equipment. Never use a torch or cable with damaged insulation, because of the risk of electric shock; stop work and have it repaired or replaced by a competent person.