This Old School Welding Torch Helps To Keeps-Em Flying, And So Much More
By Anthony J. Liberatore
There is a good chance that you as a reader, whom may be enthralled with all things aero, have seen this product demonstrated or have a good friend that welds with one and they rave about it.
The DHC2000 welding torch is used by experimental aircraft builders, auto/motorcycles restorers, and hot rodders as well.
Detroit Torch's Mark Cycholl, also said the torch is also used by A&P's on certified aircraft. "Yes, because they have to get to a point where they do a lot of repair work, and the torch has an annealing effect, softens the weld, normalizes it, you don't have the cracking issue, so it makes it very unique to use, and it's very portable, so now the guys use it all time."
Running on 4lbs of Oxy-Acetylene and using up to 60% less gas due to its efficient flame, welders are able to do all their Aluminum, Chrome-Moly, and all their steel welding and cutting with the DCH2000. This torch, with its Ergonomic pistol grip, and push-button trigger, has been around since the mid '70s and was originally designed by Ed Dillion.
Mark Cycholl bought the company in 2000, and Detroit Torch has been at it now 21 years. Mark elaborated on its design and operation, "We call it the pistol grip -- it's more comfortable to use, we use a lightweight hose so there is no weight on the wrist, it is very easy to control and weld with, we use tig rods as our filler, it makes it easier for the customer to buy the rods at their local welding store, steel, aluminum, stainless steel, can all be done with this torch. We like it because the rods are clean and easy to get. You use it like a tig welder, I use the torch to create the puddle, and I use the tig rod to fill the void, if I have a gap or void, I can just go ahead and weld it right up."
Mark showed us a sample of two identical sheets of aluminum welded together by the DHC2000 with a beautiful bead. He began to repetitively flex each side of the sheet back and forth and noted it wasn't work-hardened, and that it might form a crack after quite a while outside the welded zone, however, the weld would remain integral. Mark also noted that the DHC2000 is 100% American-made in Michigan, comes with a lifetime warranty and that they do their own service work.
