consumables

[Piero]

Hi Guys
need a little help and advice with buying some WP9 WP20 consumables

I have been looking on the well known auction site, and am happy enough with my choice for standard consumables
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110839165446?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
Not quite sure I know what alumina is ???????

but when it comes to the gas lenses, I am a little stuck
I was thinking this might be ok
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110832722774?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
But I was hoping to find a more comprehensive kit with more items
I cant find any that include the white plastic thing that the ceramic nozel fits to.

many thanks

 

[hotrodder]

Alumina is aluminium oxide and http://www.dynacer.com/alumina.htm kinda explains why they're pink

Personally speaking vast majority of the stuff in those links is never used... my kit came with standard ceramics from 4 - 8, collets & collet bodies for 1.6 - 3.2 and the gas lens equivilant but with 5/6/7 ceramics. Just one of each ceramics/few of each collets and i still have virtually all of the origionals, many of 'em unused. The really useful bits (extra long ceramics, large gas lens etc) doesn't tend to come in kits from China and are still rarely needed. Pretty much the only torch consumables i've bought in as long as i can remember is gas lens bodies (the screens don't last forever), the odd #7 gas lens ceramic as 99.9% of everything i weld is done with them and the odd back cap O-ring. Still got the origional 2.4 & 3.2mm collets too- genuine weldcraft/ good quality ones aren't made from plain copper, they're a copper alloy (tellerium?) and a LOT harder/more temperature resistant than pure copper

Note that a big part of the above is 1. a water cooled torch, 2. not treating the back cap like it's a wheel bolt off a lorry and 3. not making a habit of dropping ceramics on the floor/clouting the welding table with 'em

The white plastic thing is often known as an insulator or gasket, they (should) last for ages and the same one is used with both regular and gas lens ceramics for wp9/20 (there's an additional one/adaptor for 17/18/26 torches). Same deal with collets for the small/standard sized gas lens, large gas lens requires an additional gasket and different collets. Weldcraft exploded list/consumables here... http://www.weldcraft.com/pdfs/WP20ENG.pdf, other brands tend to use the same part #s

 

[Piero]

Thanks hotrodder
Very interesting bit about the weldcraft having a different mix of copper.
And it's effect on heat.
Yr right about only ever using one or two sizes in the real world but I was just thinking there cheap as chips.
My torch is a water cooled wp20.
With your comments in mind. Best I buy only the few I will even need and also buy genuine weldcraft.

Thanks once again for yr time and help.