Second only to your welding-skill level, your choice of a TIG torch goes a long way in determining the quality and beauty of your welds. So, it makes perfect sense to get the best torch you can.
You can find amazing after-market torches that offer great features and impressive performance. But there are so many offers out there, that things can quickly get confusing, especially when you’re new to it all.
This TIG torches review helps you to wade through the clutter by providing the following list of the market’s top offers and an accompanying guide to help you make sense of it all.
What To Check Before Choosing the Best TIG Torch?
1. Rated Power
Every TIG torch has a maximum-rated power that it will handle for extended periods and different projects require different levels of power.
So, it’s important to consider this when deciding on a particular torch.
While the smallest TIG torches rated 150 to 200-Amp torch are okay for most hobby and shop welding jobs, you’ll also need to prevent using the torches at their maximum rating.
So, if you do most of your TIG welding at 150 Amps for instance, then a 200-Amp torch will work better and last longer for you.
2. Cooling Method
TIG welding creates heat and this can get the torch quickly hot, so you need a method of cooling the torch. Most torches either offer an air-cooling system, which is cheaper or a water-cooling system, which is often more effective.
Air-cooled torches are also easier to set up and more comfortable to use, but they can get really hot when used at higher Amps. So, they are best for lower-Amp jobs.
With water-cooled, you get a torch with a more efficient cooling system that should handle higher Amps for extended periods without getting hot. Their downside, however, is their more complex setup and lower user-friendliness level.
3. Arc Start & Handle Controls
You’ll also need to consider your welder’s arc start system, which also determines the type of torch you can get. Arc start is the electrical method that’s used to light the torch. Some TIG welders need you to scratch the torch on the metal, while others only need a touch, and some don’t.
They are called the scratch-start, the lift-arc, and the high-frequency ignition art starts respectively. The important takeaway here is that high-frequency TIG torches need a start button on the handle, while scratch-start and lift-arc torches don’t.
4. Hose Length
This is another point worth considering. While most experienced welders will go for 25 feet and longer leads, many also have two leads: A shorter and a longer one.
There’s no perfect lead length because it depends on the job you’ll be doing. If you’re working at a bench, then a shorter lead will be great because it’s lighter and more convenient to use.
But if you need to move around to weld, then you’ll find a longer lead more convenient, although more cumbersome too.
5. TIG Torch Head Design
A TIG torch can also feature a fixed head or a flex-lock head. With a fixed head, the torch is set at a particular angle and you can’t turn or change it in any way. This can be a disadvantage when you need to weld in an awkward position, but the good thing about this type of head is they are cheap.
Flex-lock heads cost more but they also offer you more. You can spin them in any 360° direction to fit any welding situation you find yourself in, and then lock the head into that position. As you can imagine, this opens up many opportunities.
6. Flexibility of TIG Torch
Flexibility is also very important when it comes to TIG welding because you may never know what positions you’ll need to weld a specific object to get the results you want. So, you’re better served with a torch and overall system that’s as flexible as possible.
This often comes as a combination of many features, such as a swivel head, soft and highly flexible cables, easy to change heads, and cables that are as long as possible.
8 Best TIG Torches of 2021 Reviewed
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES |
|---|---|---|
 | 1. Weldcraft WP-20-25 (Best Overall) |
|
 | 2. Riverweld WP-17F (Best Budget) |
|
 | 3. Masterweld WP20-25R (Best Premium Quality) |
|
 | 4. Reboot 0005 (Best TIG17 Package) |
|
 | 5. WeldingCity ML17FV12 (Air Cooled with Flex Head) |
|
 | 6. Weldflame WP-17FV-25R (Premium Quality With 25-ft Cable) |
|
 | 7. CK Worldwide FL150 (Air-cooled With Super Flexible Cable) |
|
 | 8. Weldtec 320SA-25DX (With Braided Cables) |
|
1. Weldcraft WP-20-25 – Best Overall TIG Torch
Photo: Weldcraft
- Rated Current: 250 Amps
- Cooling Method: Water-cooled
- Hose Length: 25 feet
- Weight: 8 ounces
This TIG torch combines a slim profile with water cooling, high-quality fittings, a 70-degree head angle, and the option to choose between a standard handle without a valve or one with a valve. These are great features for a torch, and they make it our overall best TIG torch in this review.
The package comes with a 25-ft long braided cabling for flexibility and durability. Despite its water-cooled design, this torch is slender and compact enough to fit into most tight welding corners.
It’s rated at 250 Amps and will handle electrodes from 0.020 to 0.125-inch sizes. These are also the last of the pure Weldcraft WP-20 series torches, as a newer version is now sold as the Miller Weldcraft WP-250 TIG torch, but with the same specs and quality.
The only major issue it has is its price, as it’s relatively costlier than most other torches on this list. But you need to remember that it’s water-cooled and additionally very compact.
Pros:
- High-quality torch with a 250-Amp rating
- This torch is water-cooled for efficiency
- Comes with a 25-ft cable
- The cable is made from vinyl
Cons:
- It’s relatively expensive
2. Riverweld WP-17F – Best Budget
Photo: Riverweld
- Rated Current: 150 Amps
- Cooling Method: Air-cooled
- Weight: 3.5 ounces
If you’ve got a miller or Weldcraft equipment and just need a TIG torch body at a good price, then here’s the cheapest TIG torch handle offer on this list.
It’s designed as a replacement for Weldcraft WP-17F or similar equipment and rated 150 Amps. Fully flexible, Riverweld also rates it to accept electrodes between 0.02 and 0.09-inch sizes.
The best part about this offer is its very low price, which makes it very attractive. But you’ll need to have a functional Weldcraft WP-17F package to benefit from it.
Pros:
- Good-quality TIG torch head
- Offered at a very low and attractive price
- Flexible head body
- Rated for up to 150 Amps
Cons:
- It doesn’t include a cable
3. Masterweld WP20-25R – Best Premium
Photo: Masterweld
- Rated Current: 250 Amps
- Cooling Method: Water-cooled
- Hose Length: 25 feet
- Weight: 4.5 pounds
Here comes one of the best water-cooled TIG torches in the market. Designed as a cheaper but premium-quality replacement for WP20 and similar torches, it comes with many good features.
It’s a water-cooled TIG torch, rated at 250 Amps, and features rubber hoses, which are higher quality than cheaper and less durable vinyl hoses. They are 25-feet long, providing enough maneuvering space for most welding tasks and conditions.
You can also use tungsten electrodes from 0.020-inch to 1/8-inch in this torch, and there’s hardly a huge difference between this package and one from Miller, although it comes at a much lower price.
You may have to deal with the zipper for the cable cover, which has been reported to unzip itself. But for the price, quality, and being water-cooled, most welders wouldn’t mind simply taping the cables.
Pros:
- Water-cooled premium TIG torch
- Rated at up to 250 Amps
- The cables are made from quality rubber
- Comes with a 25-ft cable package
Cons:
- The cable-cover zipper isn’t very durable
4. Reboot 0005 – Best TIG17 Package
Photo: Reboot
- Rated Current: 150 Amps
- Cooling Method: Air
- Hose Length: 13 feet
- Weight: 4.5 pounds
If you’re shopping for a 17V TIG torch, then here’s a nice offer. This Reboot 0005 torch is air-cooled, rated at 150 Amps, and includes a gas valve to make it one of the best air-cooled TIG torches for welders like the ARC165 digital, the MIG 215, and similar.
This torch is air-cooled and the package includes a 13-foot cable with a cloth cover for improved safety and better heat dispersion.
Reboot also rates it at a 35% duty cycle for DC power at 140 Amps and the same 35% at 125 Amps AC power. For its tungsten electrodes, it will handle 0.04 to 1/8 inch sizes, which is also okay.
It would have benefited from a flexible head, but it comes with a fixed head. This leaves much to be desired, although you can easily overlook it when you consider its low price.
Pros:
- Air-cooled TIG torch package
- Rated up to 150 Amps
- Works with 0.04-inch to 1/8-inch electrodes
- Includes gas and air cables
Cons:
- It doesn’t have a flex head
5. WeldingCity ML17FV12 – Air-cooled Flex Head TIG Torch
Photo: WeldingCity
- Rated Current: 150 Amps
- Cooling Method: Air-cooled
- Hose Length: 12.5 feet
- Weight: 4.4 pounds
Designed to replace the Miller WP-17FV TIG torch and similar packages, this TIG torch features a gas valve and a flexible head to make it stand out from the rest.
It’s also air-cooled and comes with all necessary hoses and fittings, plus WeldingCity rates it at 150 Amps. Another nice feature about this package is that it may come with a gift, which is often a set of welding goggles or gloves.
The package also includes consumables and parts, but it’s one major con is the 12.5-ft length of the cabling. Asides from that, it’s flexible head design makes it ideal for welding in the most unconventional positions and to easily reach hard to reach spots, making it one of the market’s best TIG torches.
Pros:
- TIG torch with cable package
- Features a gas valve flex head
- The cables are covered by a nylon cover
- Comes with consumables
Cons:
- The cable is only 12.5 feet long
6. Weldflame WP-17FV-25R – Premium With 25-ft Cable
Photo: Weldflame
- Rated Current: 150 Amps
- Cooling Method: Air-cooled
- Hose Length: 25 feet
- Weight: 5.6 pounds
This Weldflame offer is a replacement for Weldcraft WP-17FV and similar TIG torches. It’s an air-cooled torch with a 150-Amp rating, and it comes with a 25-ft power cable.
It also features a gas valve head and flex-head design, so you can turn it into the angle you want to get the best position for those difficult welds, making it one of the best TIG torches out there.
The package also includes a zippered nylon cover for the cable, two collets and collet bodies, two ceramic cups, long and short back caps for the torch, to make it one of the best TIG torch packages.
Its only issue is you can find similar but slightly cheaper offers, but then, the price difference isn’t much.
Pros:
- Air-cooled TIG welder torch
- Features a 150-Amp rating
- Includes a 25-ft cable with nylon cover
- Comes complete with many accessories
Cons:
- You can get similar but cheaper offers
7. CK Worldwide FL150 – Air-cooled With Super Flexible Cable
Photo: CK Worldwide
- Rated Current: 150 Amps
- Cooling Method: Air-cooled
- Hose Length: 12.5 feet
- Weight: 3 pounds
The CK FL150 features a 360 ° rotating head and a super-flexible cable to make it one of the market’s best TIG torch for pipe welding.
Its Flex-Loc technology lets you easily turn the head to any position of your choice before locking it into place, conveniently. This head is also interchangeable, so you can easily change configurations and head sizes.
This torch is air-cooled and designed for comfort and efficiency, plus CK Worldwide rates it 150 Amps and delivers it with a 17-inch head. It also comes with a 12.5-inch cable, which, of course, could be longer.
Pros:
- TIG torch with a 360° rotating head
- Includes a super-flexible cable that’s very convenient
- Rated at 150 Amps of power
- Air-cooled torch with a gas valve
Cons:
- The cable could be longer
8. Weldtec 320SA-25DX – Best With Braided Cables
Photo: Weldtec
- Rated Current: 320 Amps
- Cooling Method: Air-cooled
- Hose Length: 25 feet
- Weight: 7 pounds
If you’re searching for the best Weldtec water cooler TIG torch, then you’ve got it. This torch comes with many top features that very few TIG torches can offer, such as its 25-foot cable and water-cooled design.
This allows you to weld for hours without needing a cool-off, and you can also move around easier and farther with its 25-ft cable, which comes with a premium leather cover for durability.
Its one major downside is, of course, its relatively high price. But you should know it’s water-cooled and offers many features, including accessories like short, medium, and long caps, and durable rubber hoses.
Pros:
- Excellent torch with a 320-Amp rating
- Includes braided cables for flexibility
- Cables are 25 feet long
- Angled for comfort and easy reach
Cons:
- The head is rigid and can’t rotate
- It’s relatively expensive
Conclusion
We’ve come to the end of this TIG torches review, and you’ve seen the market’s top offers, including budget and Pro offers designed for all types of welders. Now is your turn to make a choice.
For a nice torch at a nice price, we recommend our overall best offer, the Weldcraft WP-20-25 TIG torch, with its water-cooling, 250-Amp power rating, and 25-ft long cable.
Budget WP-17F shoppers will appreciate the Riverweld WP-17F TIG torch, with its low price and 150-Amp rating.
And if flexibility and easy access are more important for you, the CK FL150 TIG torch offers air cooling, a 150-Amp rating, and a 360° rotating head.
In this post:
- What To Check Before Choosing the Best TIG Torch?
- 8 Best TIG Torches of 2021 Reviewed
- 1. Weldcraft WP-20-25 – Best Overall TIG Torch
- 2. Riverweld WP-17F – Best Budget
- 3. Masterweld WP20-25R – Best Premium
- 4. Reboot 0005 – Best TIG17 Package
- 5. WeldingCity ML17FV12 – Air-cooled Flex Head TIG Torch
- 6. Weldflame WP-17FV-25R – Premium With 25-ft Cable
- 7. CK Worldwide FL150 – Air-cooled With Super Flexible Cable
- 8. Weldtec 320SA-25DX – Best With Braided Cables
- Conclusion