consumables

[BrokenBiker]

right, as im planning on hitting tig quite hard I need to know about the different consumables.

I currently have a 17 style torch with a gas valve that just plugs into the dinse fitting on my mma inverter, but am planning on buying a hf tig with a torch switch and hopefully will have a torch with it.

the torch I have has the longest back cap and the original ceramics, although I don't know what size, there are no markings on it.

what is the difference between a normal ceramic and a gas lense? which tungstens are best for mild and stainless steel welding and maybe some silicon bronze brazing? will I need a different tungsten for ali if I get an ac/dc set? do I need a shorter collet for a smaller back cap?

I know the difference in current range for each size tungsten and I know roughly how to determine how much gas flow is needed thanks to a post by liquid metal recently that explained things very well, but I have done very little tig really and haven't had to buy any consumables except tungstens, which are grey tipped as that is what was with the torch when I bought it.

 

[Tigman]

Hi mate , gas lense kit will just replace the old collett body and the bigger ceramic fits the lense , you get a bigger teflon joint aswell ( thats the white bit ) the small back cap is the same thread as the long one you just need to cut your tungsten to length to fit . Tungsten 2 % thoriated for steel and stainless Red Tip , the grey tip you have are Zirconated they are for Aluminium , you can use 2% Lanthanated for steel and stainless and Aluminium Gold Tip ! Have you been to welding tips and tricks . com he has done videos on all the things you want to know , well worth a look !

 

[BrokenBiker]

Hi mate , gas lense kit will just replace the old collett body and the bigger ceramic fits the lense , you get a bigger teflon joint aswell ( thats the white bit ) the small back cap is the same thread as the long one you just need to cut your tungsten to length to fit . Tungsten 2 % thoriated for steel and stainless Red Tip , the grey tip you have are Zirconated they are for Aluminium , you can use 2% Lanthanated for steel and stainless and Aluminium Gold Tip ! Have you been to welding tips and tricks . com he has done videos on all the things you want to know , well worth a look !

cheers for that. I have seen pretty much all of his videos but there is so much info in there its hard to keep track lol

 

[Tigman]

I picked up a lot of tips from his vids , just makes it that little bit easier when you see it done in front of you ! what machine you thinking of buying?

 

[wyn]

the grey tip you have are Zirconated they are for Aluminium , !

Grey is ceriated and for AC and DC

White is zirconiated and for AC

 

[BrokenBiker]

I picked up a lot of tips from his vids , just makes it that little bit easier when you see it done in front of you ! what machine you thinking of buying?

pretty much any branded machine that comes up at the right price. Have seen a few thermal arc dc machines and also a few older ac/dc machines

 

[gordon stephenson]

Just for info.. ceramic sizes are measured in multiples of 1/16" of an inch, IE. a number 8 is half inch bore. and number 6 is 3/8" bore.and so on.

 

[BrokenBiker]

cheers, didn't know that. the ceramic I have is a no.6 then. what difference does a gas lense kit make?

 

[wyn]

I use a gas lens a fair bit welding up joints in 1 1/4" cds tubing. For awkward/ tight angles the gas lens lets me have the tungsten sticking out 20mm or more with no real grief.

 

[BrokenBiker]

cheers. so its worth getting a gas lense kit if im going to be welding in tight corners like on a bike frame?

 

[wyn]

I think it would be handy....if you look on Weldequip's site the parts come to a bit over £10.

 

[BrokenBiker]

yeah I have just been looking through there, think I might get it for my current torch and see what difference it makes

 

[Tigman]

Did i get that wrong ? white tip zirconated sorry