Just how cool is your TIG? TIG torches are one of the best and most useful tools out there. When we say “TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) Torch”, we mean the same thing as a “Welding Torch”.
When referring to the air cooled variety, we mean that the flame coming off the torch is cooled to help welders piece together extremely light, thin or small metals. Due to it’s huge versatility, we feel everyone should have one of these in their garage shop.
Is one model better than the other? In this article we decided to pick out the best air cooled TIG Torch by having five of them go head to head to figure out our champion. We do this because our many readers demand it. They trust our unbiased and honest reviews to help them pick out the best products from the rest, and we appreciate that.
Let’s get started!
COMPARISON CHART
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
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CK17 AIR COOLED TIG TORCH KIT
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CHECK PRICE ▼ |
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CK FL150 AIR COOLED
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CHECK PRICE ▼ |
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WELDFLAME WP-9-25R 25-FT 125AMP AIR-COOLED TIG
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CHECK PRICE ▼ |
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WELDINGCITY 150-AMP WP-17V
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CHECK PRICE ▼ |
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WP17V TIG WELDING TORCH AIR-COOLED TIG
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CHECK PRICE ▼ |
Specification
| DIMENSIONS | 25 FOOT |
| WEIGHT | 5 POUNDS |
| MATERIAL | COPPER / RUBBER |
The CK17 Air Cooled TIG is perfect for both professional welders and hobbyists alike. It can be used to fabricate products of several kinds.
If you are an experienced welder, you can use it to make your own unique projects for your home. If you are a hobbyist, you can use it to make gifts for friends and family members.
This TIG pumps out a very powerful 150 AMPS, and it can maintain this level 100% of the time if you need it to. This is more than enough to get your welding jobs done.
It is a very effective tool, especially for those who want to work with mild steel and stainless steel.
WHAT WE LIKE
The TIG uses a brass alloy head for connections. The rubber silicon hose is 25 feet long, which really helps when you are handling long or awkward shaped projects.
The Superflex cable is especially nice. It never seems to kink up, and it can really handle cold temperature extremes.
We would not suggest ordering directly from the company (Baker) itself, as they seem to be very slow. In fact, not one buyer we spoke to liked the slow shipping coming from this company.
Overall the CK17 TIG is still the one to be in our honest opinion.
PROS
- The trigger on this is very smooth and quiet
- Easily adjustable
- Unique shape allows the TIG to be used in the most awkward of positions
CONS
- Shipping directly from the company can be slow.
- Customer service is just OK
- It could use a shield around the head
Specification
| DIMENSIONS | 12.5 FOOT |
| WEIGHT | 3.74 POUNDS |
| MATERIAL | RUBBER / BRASS / COPPER |
The CK FL150 TIG torch is one of the most versatile and easy to use options in the market. The 150 AMPS provides excellent power for the size of the torch. The TIG output of this torch is quite powerful and this will be helpful for beginners as well as advanced welders.
It is one of the newest products in the CK brand of air cooled TIG torches. The wire/battery connector is heavy duty. The unit itself is no brainer and quite simple to use.
WHAT WE LIKE
The torch is designed with an ergonomic pistol grip handle that will allow you to weld for extended periods of time without strain. The head design lets you get into tight angles without your hand getting fatigued.
At 3.74 pounds, the weight of this torch is quite good. The unit comes with a 12 foot, 5 inch line which is adequate for most jobs.The head rotates 360 degrees so you should have no problems getting into tough areas.
PROS
- Very easy to use
- Very lightweight at less than 4 pounds
CONS
- Shipping directly from the company can be slow.
- Customer service is just OK
- Hose length could be longer
Specification
| DIMENSIONS | 25 FOOT |
| WEIGHT | 5.38 POUNDS |
| MATERIAL | RUBBER / BRASS / COPPER |
This air cooled tungsten arc welding torch is by far one of the best portable TIG torches you can buy. It can easily run for 25 feet using 125 amps of power.
WHAT WE LIKE
It has a lighter design which makes it more suitable for long periods of time. It has a dual toggle which allows you to adjust the intensity of the flame based on the amount of current you are running through the torch.
The length of the arc is adjustable up to 6.5 feet. The duration of the arc is adjustable up to 10 seconds. It has a large mesh window that allows you to view the position of the arc.
The WP-9-25R Air Cooled TIG is pretty easy to use and takes only a few seconds to heat up. It does not have a heating element so it cannot be used in tight places or in the presence of flying debris.
PROS
- Unit provides plenty of AMPS
- Very precise arc control when needed
CONS
- Can’t get into really tight places
- Be sure to inventory your unit. Some customers have reported receiving only partial kits
Specification
| DIMENSIONS | 25 FOOT |
| WEIGHT | 5 POUNDS |
| MATERIAL | COPPER / RUBBER |
The WP-17V is light enough to carry wherever you go. It’s excellent for welding small parts and works great for aluminum work. This is primarily a European connector unit, so it may not fit US connectors without an adaptor.
The WeldingCity 150-amp WP-17V Air-Cooled TIG is one of the best welders on the market. It is made with parts that are of the highest quality, it is easy to use, and it is very durable.
WHAT WE LIKE
This TIG is one of the best welders because it has a lot of features and is very affordable. The TIG features a torch that is made of durable steel and has a handle that is wrapped with a soft grip for comfort.
The TIG welder also features a ground clamp that makes it easier to connect to objects such as vehicles and a 13 foot gas hose that is made of rubber and is durable and easy to use. The WP-17V also features a rather excellent grip that gives the welder fantastic traction.
It has a maximum output of 150 amps and can weld up to 3/8″ while maintaining a duty cycle of 35%.
PROS
- The flexible head holds its position really well
- Decent quality overall
CONS
- Some customers have experienced quality issues, but we found this to be rare
- The cable works fine, we wish it were longer
Specification
| DIMENSIONS | 13 FOOT |
| WEIGHT | 3.89 POUNDSS |
| MATERIAL | COPPER / RUBBER |
The WP17V TIG Air-Cooled TIG is designed for use in the marine industry and has an auto shutdown feature for safety. The WP17V is made of machined aluminum and features an easy-to-remove auto shutdown tip which reduces the risk of failure when handling an arc welding torch.
WHAT WE LIKE
We started off by having a close look at the safety features that this gas powered weld torch has to offer. The unit is compact and has an on/off switch.
The most important safety feature is the auto shut off option, for safe usage, the torch automatically cuts-off if you move too close to the side of the torch or if you press down on it too hard.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
A few purchasers we reached out to found that while the TIG works as advertised, there were some quality issues with it, such as the back caps not holding very well. They also noticed slight leaking even when the valve was shut off all the way.
PROS
- Simple to use
- Head can get into tight spots with no problems
CONS
- Doesn’t handle super hot work well
- Some customers have received incomplete units, incomplete products
What Exactly Is an Air Cooled TIG Torch?
A TIG torch is a portable, gas-based welding machine that uses a wire that is fed into a tungsten electrode from the torch’s exhaust port. Cooling of the electrode is usually accomplished by air, and the cool air is then used to cool the weld pool and prevent overheating.
Some TIG torch applications require the torch to be cooled down to below the melting line. This is accomplished by allowing air to circulate around the torch body and through the torch hole to cool the torch down. This process is called air cooling.
Air cooled tungsten inert gas (TIG) is a type of tungsten electrode coating used for TIG welding. It is a key component of the welding process, as it provides the arc to weld metal together.
Conclusion
Thanks for sticking with us to the end of our review article about the best air cooled TIG torch. All of these models are very capable units and all have their pros and cons.
We feel your best bang for the buck has to go to the CK17 Air Cooled TIG Torch Kit. This is largely because of the massive 100% duty cycle it can deliver at 150 AMPS. You will not go wrong with this TIG. Happy Welding!
