Arc welding or cutting torch and electrode holder used for same

An arc welding or cutting torch, comprising:

• a torch body with a torch nozzle and a housing, said torch body having a forward end and a rearward end;
• a taper fit lock mounted in said housing and defining an axial bore therethrough, said taper fit lock including a taper bore section and a cylindrical bore section disposed rearward of said tapered bore section;
• a corresponding electrode holder comprising an elongated body with a holder rear end adapted to engage said housing and a hub having cooperating slip planes adapted to engage said taper fit lock of the housing, whereby said electrode holder is retained in said taper fit lock of said housing by an opposing thrust to said taper bore section;
• said electrode holder slip planes having a frustoconical portion with rearwardly facing tapered surfaces adapted to engage said tapered bore section of said taper lock, and said electrode holder slip planes having a cylindrical portion disposed rearwardly adjacent said frustoconical portion and having outer surfaces adapted to engage said cylindrical bore section of said tapered lock, and said holder rear end generally aligned with said cylindrical portion of said electrode holder slip planes.