Thermal insulating plates for welding torches

A handheld welding torch, comprising:

• a nozzle assembly;
• a gooseneck coupled to at least a portion of the nozzle assembly;
• a trigger;
• and
• a handle attached to the trigger, at least a portion of the handle being configured to be held by a welding operator during a welding operation, the handle comprising:
• a front housing coupled to the gooseneck,
• a drive gearbox comprising gears configured to drive a drive roll,
• a motor configured to drive the gears of the drive gearbox, the motor comprising a motor shaft, and the drive gearbox further comprising a motor bearing that supports the motor shaft, and
• a thermal insulating plate positioned between the drive gearbox and the front housing, wherein the thermal insulating plate is comprised of a thermally insulating material.

A welding torch handle, comprising:

• a drive gearbox comprising gears configured to drive a drive roll;
• and
• a front housing comprising a cylindrical portion and a connecting plate portion,
• the cylindrical portion comprising a threaded inner surface surrounding a bore, the threaded inner surface configured to engage complementary threads of a gooseneck, and
• the connecting plate portion comprising bolt holes configured to receive bolts to connect the front housing to the drive gearbox;
• and
• a thermal insulating plate positioned between the drive gearbox and the front housing, wherein the thermal insulating plate is comprised of a thermally insulating material.