Sycrowave 250 dx WITH tig runner water cooled pkg OR air package

setup to pick.

pedal with the welder

not have experience with water

aren't as "nimble"

I've used the CK200 water cooled torch for years, I like it. Have never been restricted by the torch.

Richard

which setup to pick.

foot pedal with the welder

do not have experience with water

they aren't as "nimble"

Go with the water cooled setup. If you get a Weldcraft Crafter series torch or the new CK superflex cables, you will be amazed at how flexible the hoses can be.

Definitely water cooled.

If you are looking for the torch setup that will get into tight places you want to go with a water cooled setup. For example a 150 amp air cooled torch is approx 50% bigger than a water cooled 200 amp torch. Go with the water cooled setup, its more expensive (due to water cooler) but you will not regret it. If cash is an issue you could always just use a water solenoid & just run it off a water spikett & run the drain outside or into a sink. The water solenoid is approx $60. Hopes this helps.

Rod

Thanks for your comments guys! I think you may have convinced me of choosing a water cooled setup. Next question is should I purchase the sycrowave kit WITH the cooler package and diamondback torch OR pick up an aftermarket setup with CK torch as mentioned below.

Regarding Shaffer Welding, I don't have any contact information which would be greatly apprectiated.

Thanks for everyones time and input!

:-)

....?.Go with the water cooled setup. If you get a Weldcraft Crafter series torch or the new CK superflex cables, you will be amazed at how flexible the hoses can be.

?.Definitely water cooled.

?.I've used the CK200 water cooled torch for years, I like it. Have never been restricted by the torch.

?.If you decide on the water cooled model, contact Bucky Shaffer, owner of Shaffer Welding in Oneida, Tennessee. They are going out of business, selling everything and he's got one for sale for around 2k. This guy is a former student of mine and I'd trust him with anything. Might be a good deal for you.

WITH the cooler

mentioned below.

I plead ignorance here. Every TIG setup I've ever used has been water cooled.. Why are they so popular? (Err, the flipside, what makes the air cooled undesirable?)

__________________ Note: To reply, replace the word 'spam' embedded in return address with 'mail'. N38.6 W121.4

Should you buy the whole water cooled kit? This depends on how much money you want to spend and how much time you want to fiddle with getting things worked out. I went through the same process when I got my Dynasty. I finally opted for the whole kit. It makes for a nice self contained unit that had me up and running with little fuss. If I would have just gotten the welder, I would have a cobbled system that would have required much more of my time to get a cart and all the plumbing worked out.

For building bicycles, the water cooled torch is going to be smaller per given amperage rating than an air cooled torch. For the most part, you will not be pushing either air or water cooled torch but the size advantage will be evident. The moment you want to weld up heavier sections for say a weld fixture, the benefits of a water cooled torch will be evident. You won't have to put the torch down and let it cool simply becuase you can't hold it anymore.

For myself, its always a good rule to have extra capacity in your equipment. This prevents limiting oneself or creativity in the things one enjoys doing.

WITH the cooler

mentioned below.

greatly apprectiated.

The difference in cost will be about $400 to build your own setup.

My SD 180 is air cooled. If I bought a water unit and a water torch I could use water.

It depends on the current density or the wattage (power) at the torch - if it gets to hot, the torch melts and then the hand. :-)

Martin

Air cooled torches are mostly used for field work, where a cumbersome watercooler is more of a hindrance than a benefit.

Air cooled torches work fine, but to get anywhere near the duty cycle of a water cooeld torch you have to use a much bigger air cooled torch. The most common air cooled torches are based on a #3 series design. #3 series refers to a 300+ amp water cooled torch . A 150 - 200 amp air cooled torch uses the same #3 series design.

A #2 series water cooled torch is a 200+ amp torch. An air cooled #2 series torch is usually 100 - 120 amps.

My shop TIG machine has 3 main torches. A CK230 which is a #2 series torch, but it can handle 300 amps. A CK230M which is an inline version of the CK230, excellent for fillet welds. And Weldcraft 350 amp water cooled torch. I use quick connects to swap torches.

My inverter TIG for field use also has 3 torches. A CK100 Air cooled 100 amp torch for work under 1/8" thick. A CK110 air cooled 100 amp inline torch head that can be swapped onto the CK100 cables

A Ck210 air cooled 200 amp torch for heavy work

Sorry for being so long in posting. Shaffer Welding's number is

423 569 8386. Ask to speak to Buck and tell him his old 5th grade teacher sent ya. A gentleman when he was a child, and a gentleman now. Good luck.

WITH the cooler

mentioned below.

greatly apprectiated.