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Answers for buyers choosing a complete water-cooled micro TIG torch package with matched hoses and cables.
A micro torch package normally includes the torch body with its power, water and gas lines already assembled to a set length. Maker kits for this type of torch can also include interchangeable heads, collets in several tungsten sizes, clear cups, spare tungsten and a stick-out gauge with wrench, but contents vary, so check the product description.You will still need a suitable power source, a shielding gas supply with regulator, and a water cooler with the right coolant. Make sure the machine connections on the package match your welder and cooler before you order.
Yes. A water-cooled torch relies on circulating coolant to remove heat, so it must be connected to a water cooler (circulator) before you weld. The torch's water inlet and outlet hoses connect to the cooler, and the power and gas lines connect to the welder as the machine's manual describes.Set up the cooler first, fill it with the coolant the cooler's maker recommends, and confirm it is circulating before striking an arc. Running a water-cooled torch without coolant flow can damage it, so never weld with the cooler off. Check the torch and cooler manuals for exact connection details.
Check the torch's rating on its data plate or in the maker's literature, and stay within it. Micro torches are made in air-cooled and water-cooled versions, and the water-cooled version is rated for a higher current than the air-cooled version of the same size.A rating applies at a stated duty cycle, which is the share of a ten minute period the torch can run at that output. Running above the rating makes the torch and cable heat faster, reduces the duty cycle and causes downtime. If your work needs more current than the rating, choose a higher-rated torch rather than pushing a micro torch.
A micro torch is designed for fine, low-current work on thin material and in tight spaces. Its small head and cup give good access and, with a clear cup, a good view of the pool.It is not the best choice for sustained high-current work, thick material or jobs needing large cups for wide gas cover. If you need more current, choose a torch rated above your highest setting. Many workshops keep a micro torch for access-limited jobs and a larger torch for everyday welding. Our team can help you choose if you are unsure which suits your work.
TIG welding produces ultraviolet radiation that can cause arc eye, inflammation of the cornea. Symptoms usually appear several hours after exposure, so you may not realise you have been caught until later.Use a welding helmet with the correct filter shade for the current, and wear safety glasses under it. Use screens or curtains to shield others, because nearby people can also be affected and the radiation is stronger closer to the arc. Fine work is often done close up, so do not lift the helmet until the arc has stopped and you have checked the area.
TIG welding of most metals uses pure argon, which protects the weld pool and the hot tungsten from oxidation and helps the arc stay stable. Some applications use argon mixtures, so check what suits your metal and procedure.Micro torches have small cups, so they need only modest flow. Too much gas can cause turbulence that draws air into the shield. Use pre-flow and post-flow on the machine so the tungsten is protected before the arc starts and while it cools. Check the settings recommended in your machine's manual and tune them to bead appearance.