Suggestions for Tig Torch holder?

[ISKI]

Hello, I'm on my third TIG torch and it already has a bend in the neck. When the torch gets hot and I hang the torch on one of the two holder tabs on my welder the soft copper inside bends. The holder allows the hose to put sideways pressure on the torch and it slowly starts to develope a bend. I could hang the hose on a seperate holder to allow it to sit in a posisiton where the hose pulls straight down and solve the problem. Optionally I could make a new holder that will not allow the hose to pull at an angle (hold top and support the handle). Does anyone have a better holder design than the standard flat plate with two bends and a slot that I can copy?

Thanks
Iggy

[Gadget]

Have you looked at this one?
Tig torch stand layout

[ISKI]

Gadget, I knew I had seen one, but could not place it. This is perfect for the welding table. I am thinking about one for the side of the cart that holds the crook of the neck and the handle since mine bends sideways when I hang it on the cart. It is possible that since this one holds the torch centered, that the handle would not be able to bend sideways. It is also possible to put it on top of the welder since it is flat and steel. I wonder if anyone else has bent torches?

Thanks
Iggy

[tomsign]

Iggy, have you ever thought about switching to liquid cooled torch (longevity has a new Cooler )
I made the switch about a year ago, and must say, I will never go back to air cooled.
if you do a lot of Tig I would really think about switching
Tomsign

[ISKI]

Tom, I know that that the pros do, and I have wondered about it, but have never tried a water cooled torch. Looking back I bet that a water cooled torch is most likely less expensive than three regular torches that get so hot they bend in the holder. I'll have to check what Longevity has to offer.

[KHK]

Water cooled TIG torch's are great!! I used to have one with a watter cooler. I got ride of it when my shop was moved into my garage(no Heat) Not only that but I don't TIG all that much any more. I suppose that I could have used antifreeze!

[tomsign]

Iggy, not just for pros, it all comes down to how much you Tig, another thing, is to watch your Duty cycle of your unit (water cooled or not) you are running that hot you might be running past
recommended Duty Cycle settings and would be hard on your unit.
Keith, I do run antireeze and conditioner in my unit, and let me say OOOOOCH the price of that stuff is unbearible, recommendations are to change every 6 months. yeh like that is going to
happen at my house, I'm going to try to get at least two years out of it, with partial fluid changes.
but even with expense of the antifreeze will never go back to air cooled except to do a quick mend, the way I have the cart set up I can change real quick between torches
Tomsign

[ISKI]

Tom, I purchased my TIG from Air Gas, and since then they have switched to RADNOR torches. I can order stuff for my machine, but I am typically in a hurry, and take something off the shelf. The torch is rated for the machine, but I think the quality is what is lacking. The cords are twice as stiff as what came with my machine, and the handles slowly bend. The sales guy swears they as good as what came with my machine, but I don't buy it I also am using a longer torch cable as I don't like to move the machine around to get to all parts of my chassis. The longer length and heavy cable could be adding to my woes.

[tomsign]

Iggy, I got away from the stiff cable/hoses and switch all over to flex. I run 400 Amp 25 ft Flex hose both water and air cooled will not run any other hose except the flex cables I love them, very flexible, never a problem with them
just salty to purchase, but well worth it.
I know Gadget has a shorter Air cooled flex hose and might jump in with an oppinion as far as Flex cables go
but as for the heat goes its either shorter work times or switch over to water for longer running

[Gadget]

Yup, the flex torch is the one I go to most often.