Just for an actual comparison...I use a CK Flex-loc 250 and a CK18. With the chiller set @ 50° and 44 psi, the FL250 w/25ft. superflex cables does return fairly hot water @ 250A and I cap the amperage there unless only tacking. (Be sure to check for CK's recommended coolant flow on these torches.) T...

Ok...I'll give it a shot at lower amps, but I'm almost always above 250A on aluminum and generally run lower hz as I don't see (maybe missing?) advantages at the higher amps. Thanks guys!

Zank - "and went as high as a 1.0/1.5 EN/EP ratio"...Care to offer any insight as to general effects of further imbalance or frequency variations? - I'm that dangerous noob w/dyn400 - Thanks!

Just an update: That 1/8" CK gas lens allows 7/16" stick out at 330A and 20CFH in clean 3/8" 6061, moving the hot section away from the Collet/Body enough to live in the CK18 torch. I'll move up to a 5/32" tungsten/gas lens when parts arrive and close out this thread with the res...

From Tool and Die...Although spectrum testing is done with expensive machines, if I have a questionable material, most of the time the local industrial recycler, where I drop off my scrap/chips, has a handheld and scans it free of charge. I'm only posting this because even if it wouldn't work out on...

Oscar - For what it's worth, I get solid starts every time at 3A with any point, but need 7A to deburr .030" SS sheet metal. I see you've been involved in this for a while, is it really that unusual to TIG above 300A? No one seems to have actual experience, only a bead here or there. I'll refra...

TT - Yep, CK is good. But I did try them first and it's always a try-and-see at higher Amps as there just isn't the examples from individual experience. Spartan - I think I'll go for the 5/32" lens before a 3/16", as I'm getting the feeling others would move away from the 1/8" anyway....

I have unlimited cooling and after 330A for 6 min, the CK torch neck is approx 65 degrees. Maybe the question is: Can I count on a 1/8" gas lens to be reliable at the machine's limit? If not, I guess I'll move up to 5/32' and try again, as I expect most of my work will be 250A+...Manufacturers ...

Thanks guys...I'm using a 400A CK torch on a new Dynasty 400, and only have a couple bottles of time welding, so don't go thinking I know anything. The CK brass wedge collet is thermally expanding beyond its yield, leaving it crushed a bit more (and not snug in the torch when cooled) after each cycl...

In 6061, all's well to 300A with 1/8" Lan + #8 standard cup. Above that, collets + bodies start failing (mechanically). By 370A, component life 's a bit unpredictable...Does a gas lens offer any help in temp control at the contact-to-tip area, or is it better to just move up in tungsten size?