Posted on Aug 24, 2025
We’ve already talked about how Cheap Mig Welding Torches are Actually Expensive in a previous blog, and the longer term costs of your “cheap” welding torch. Now let’s take a look at an aspect that is sometimes overlooked – the importance of the materials used in the torch manufacture. It’s not just how a torch is made, but what it’s made from that impacts its performance, durability, and ultimately, its real value.
In today’s market, the attractiveness of a cheap welding torch is unavoidable.
With costs rising, we’re all looking for ways to tighten our belts and save money. However, when it comes to welding torches, cutting corners on materials can lead to significant problems and hidden expenses. Many low-cost manufacturers resort to using cheap, low quality recycled materials to drive down production costs. While this might seem like an eco-friendly approach, the reality is far from it.
At Parker Torchology we wholeheartedly support the importance of recycling and the adoption of environmentally friendly manufacturing processes. Sustainability is a critical consideration in today’s industrial landscape. We work hard to ensure that our manufacturing facility is operated with a focus on reducing our environmental footprint. This includes implementing waste reduction strategies, optimising energy consumption. And, we are constantly exploring sustainable sourcing options for our raw materials. We are committed to continuous improvement in our environmental practices, striving to reduce our impact and contribute to a more sustainable future. We believe that responsible manufacturing is not only an ethical requirement, but also a key component of our long-term business success.
When it comes to the specific demands of high performance welding torches, certain material choices can significantly impact product quality and safety. In this blog, we’ll examine why the use of low quality, cheap materials in welding torches can lead to a range of performance and reliability issues. Unfortunately, many low-cost manufacturers prioritise the lowest possible price point, often resorting to inferior, and sometimes even potentially dangerous, poor quality materials, which ultimately compromises both the welder’s safety and the quality of their work.
The Problem with Low Quality, Recycled Materials
Compromised Conductivity Due to Recycled Copper
Copper is a critical component in welding torches. Recycled copper, derived from various sources like old wiring, pipes, and electronic components, inevitably carries contaminants such as alloys, corrosion, and rust. The inherent difficulty in completely removing these foreign materials during collection and sorting, coupled with the challenging and costly nature of complete purification, means trace elements often remain. While high-purity recycled copper is achievable, the potential for impurities is significantly greater compared to new copper. These impurities directly impact power cable conductivity, causing inconsistent arc performance and poor weld quality. Plus, welding consumables made from recycled copper are likely to wear out faster, and in the worst case, the impurities could even contaminate the weld. Consequently, new copper is the safer option in the manufacture of welding torch components.
Brittle Plastics and Premature Torch Failure
The use of recycled plastics in welding torch construction can present a significant concern to durability. While recycled plastics are suitable for a wide range of applications and we are always investigating how we can safety and effectively incorporate them into our products, it’s important to acknowledge that during the recycling process, plastics inevitably lose some of their original structural integrity. This is due to polymer chain degradation and potential contamination from various sources, resulting in plastic that can be inherently more brittle and prone to breakage. Now in many scenarios this would not be a major issue. However welding torches are also subject to stress, heat, and potential knocks, which further increases the risk of failure. Therefore we chose to use virgin plastics in our manufacture to ensure that our welding torch components can stand up to the everyday punishment of welding.
Furthermore, recycled plastic and rubber components may emit a distinct, “fishy” odour. To mitigate this, manufacturers often package these torches in individual plastic bags. You might have even thought this denoted a more high-end product!
Degraded Rubber and Reduced Lifespan
Recycled rubber can often experience a reduced resistance to UV light, oils, and chemicals – all present in welding. We use rubber in a wide range of components including cable assemblies and O-rings. These components come into contact with UV, oils and chemicals constantly via the welding process. Therefore we ensure that any rubber used in our construction is of high quality.
Beyond Low Quality Recycled Materials: Other Cost-Cutting Measures
Low-cost manufacturers often employ other strategies to reduce prices, further compromising quality.
Misleading Performance Data
In the welding industry, accurate performance data is critical for selecting the right equipment. Unfortunately, many cheap welding torch manufacturers publish inflated or inaccurate performance specifications. This can include misleading amperage ratings, duty cycle percentages, or gas flow capacities. For example, a torch might claim a 200A rating, but in real-world welding conditions, it may struggle to maintain a stable arc at even 150A. This discrepancy leads to significant operational issues, such as inconsistent weld quality, overheating, and premature component failure. Welders relying on these false claims find themselves constantly battling equipment limitations, resulting in wasted time, materials, and ultimately, increased costs.
Our torches on the other hand, undergo thorough testing in real-world welding scenarios. We measure and verify performance such as amperage ratings and duty cycles to ensure they align with our published specifications, and, we only publish figures we can back up!
False Certifications and Safety Risks
Safety is paramount in welding. Certifications like CE and EN 609 are essential for ensuring that equipment meets stringent safety and performance standards. But, there are cases where welding torches bear counterfeit certifications. After all, ensuring products meet the requirements can be costly, time consuming and requires work. These torches may lack crucial safety features, such as proper insulation, adequate shielding, or robust construction. A torch claiming CE certification, for instance, might fail to meet the required electrical safety standards, posing a significant risk of electric shock or fire. Similarly, torches falsely claiming EN 609 compliance may lack the necessary mechanical strength to withstand the rigours of welding, leading to potential structural failures. Welders who unknowingly use these uncertified torches are placing themselves and their workplaces at considerable risk, potentially leading to serious accidents and legal liabilities.
Poor Design and Insulation Issues
Using cheap materials like Teflon for insulation of the swan neck can lead to poor insulation and premature burn out. We use high quality CAF to keep your torch running cooler for longer.
Inadequate Cable Support and Premature Failure
You’ve definitely seen these – using spring cable supports rather than a more supportive option at the handle provides limited support, causing the coax cable to wear and break at the spring’s end.
Our Commitment to Quality
At Parker Torchology we use the best materials for the job, prioritising quality and performance over cost cutting. We remain committed to sustainable manufacturing practices and the responsible use of recycled materials where appropriate. We recognise the importance of minimising our environmental footprint and actively explore ways to incorporate recycled materials into our products without compromising quality or safety. However, when it comes to critical welding torch components, the demands of performance, durability, and safety necessitate the use of virgin materials. By prioritising quality materials and rigorous testing, we ensure that our customers receive reliable and long lasting welding torches, ultimately avoiding the false economy of cheap, low quality alternatives. While the initial cost of a cheap welding torch may seem appealing, the long term costs relating to down time, and poor weld quality will cost the user much more.
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