Tig tip adaption

[MrFluffy]

Hi, quick one for you tig experts.
Ive ordered the wrong diameter tungstens for my tig like a muppet, and rather than wait for another box to wing its way here and waste a box of 30 tungstens, is there anything reason why I shouldnt bore out the tip that I have (2.6) to the bigger electrode size (3.5) ?
Physically it looks quite do-able in the lathe, and Ive done this with mig tips when in a pickle before now, but not so sure about tig...

Its for the torch on my BOC adr, I have no idea where I can get consumables for it from. Although I have just emailed boc industrial in a flash of inspiration...

 

[oddball90]

Should be able to get the collets and can't remmeber the name of the other bit in what ever size you want. Think you are meant to use the same size tungsten as filler rod.

 

[snowcat]

Iv drilled collet bodys before when iv been in muddle, It will be Ok as long as you can get collets the right size for the torch... The bloady trouble with tig stuff is theres hundreds of diffrent types, Its slowly getting more standard, even with draws full of bits I often end up adapting something.

 

[MrFluffy]

Ta snowy, its done. I dunno if I can get more collets but I suppose if they are no longer available (it is pretty old now) then I could always make up a couple of collets at a later date.

 

[oddball90]

Would it be better to get a newer torch head, not that expensive.

 

[MrFluffy]

Not as cheap as a bit of brass out the scrap bin I bet

 

[oddball90]

True! must get a lathe.

 

[Weldingartisan]

MrFluffy
The problem you may find by drilling out a 2.4 collet to 3.2 is lack of shielding gas, as the diffusion holes will be restricted by the larger tungsten. Could always wind the pressure up a tad I suppose. What do you generally weld? 3.2 is quite a chunky tungsten, won't give you a very stable arc on thin stuff. W/A

 

[MrFluffy]

Well the first job for it is to weld some relatively thinwall (1.5mm) 316 stainless tube to a 316 stainless plate, 5mm in thickness. So have to see how I get on.
Ive ordered some thinner tungstens anyway, just didnt want to have to wait while the post mangled the parcel en route...

 

[snowcat]

I was told by a mate of mine (a very fine coded Tig welder) that thickness doesnt make much odds on the tungstens, Its simply the max current they can handle, As long as they have a decent point on them it wont make much odds to the avarge welder.

 

[Towing and trailers]

I always use difusers and gas lenses to suit 3.2 then just swap the collets for the tungsten I am using.
I dont see a problem drilling a collet and a defuser but if you are using gas lenses I am not sure if it will drill ok as there is not much hold ing the mesh / gause in the center.

Pete