A touch retract tungsten inert gas (TIG) arc welding torch comprising: an electrode ; a nozzle , the nozzle surrounding the electrode , wherein in a first configuration the electrode protrudes from the nozzle , and in a second configuration the ends of the electrode and the nozzle are co-planar to concurrently touch, in use, the weld site; a mechanical retraction mechanism configured to retract the electrode away from said weld site by a predetermined distance to draw an electric arc between said retracted electrode and said weld site in order to create the weld; an activating means arranged in operation to trigger the retraction mechanism ; wherein the retraction mechanism , when triggered by the activating means , is configured, in use, first to engage and clamp said mobile electrode in the second configuration and then to retract said clamped electrode away from the weld site whereby the end of the electrode is withdrawn by said predetermined distance to draw said electric arc; characterised in that the mechanical retraction mechanism comprises gripper arms configured to engage and clamp the electrode when the end of the electrode is withdrawn away from said weld site and to disengage and release the electrode , in which, when the gripper arms are not engaged the electrode is slidable between the first configuration so that the end of the electrode protrudes from the end of the nozzle before commencing a weld to allow a user of the torch to view and easily locate the electrode at a desired weld position and the second configuration so that the end of the electrode and the end of the nozzle are co-planar such that, in use, the end of the electrode and the end of the nozzle concurrently touch said weld site; and the torch further comprises a copper block attached to a top of the electrode , said block abutting the top of a stop in order to set a maximum distance of said protrusion. an electrode ; a nozzle , the nozzle surrounding the electrode , wherein in a first configuration the electrode protrudes from the nozzle , and in a second configuration the ends of the electrode and the nozzle are co-planar to concurrently touch, in use, the weld site; a mechanical retraction mechanism configured to retract the electrode away from said weld site by a predetermined distance to draw an electric arc between said retracted electrode and said weld site in order to create the weld; an activating means arranged in operation to trigger the retraction mechanism ; wherein the retraction mechanism , when triggered by the activating means , is configured, in use, first to engage and clamp said mobile electrode in the second configuration and then to retract said clamped electrode away from the weld site whereby the end of the electrode is withdrawn by said predetermined distance to draw said electric arc; characterised in that the mechanical retraction mechanism comprises gripper arms configured to engage and clamp the electrode when the end of the electrode is withdrawn away from said weld site and to disengage and release the electrode , in which, when the gripper arms are not engaged the electrode is slidable between the first configuration so that the end of the electrode protrudes from the end of the nozzle before commencing a weld to allow a user of the torch to view and easily locate the electrode at a desired weld position and the second configuration so that the end of the electrode and the end of the nozzle are co-planar such that, in use, the end of the electrode and the end of the nozzle concurrently touch said weld site; and the torch further comprises a copper block attached to a top of the electrode , said block abutting the top of a stop in order to set a maximum distance of said protrusion. <EOS>