Tungsten and gas lense advice

Garreth · Jun 16, 2009

Hi Guys

Just after some advice.

I currently use red (thoriated) tungstens for DC and white (zirconated) tungstens for AC. 1.6 and 2.4mm.

I weld all sorts of stuff - mainly jigs and fixtures at work in mild, stainless and ali.

Would any of the newer types of Tungstens be better and if so which ?

Also my local supplier has an offer going on gas lense ceramics - what benefits do these offer as I was thinking about trying some ? I have an 18 (water cooled) and 26 torch and these would fit both.

Thanks !

Garreth

runnach · Jun 16, 2009

Ceriated tungsten will cover you for all the matls you mention, not saying for the better or worse, but will be more than suffice for the type of work you appear to be doing.

For gas lens ceramics you will also require body that fits onto torch. Benefits? Depends on what you are doing!

Cheers.....

NTwoO · Jun 16, 2009

I've been playing around with pure tungsten for some time and tried some ceriated ones. The tip ends up much sharper, so the arc is more controllable, i find. At low amps, the arc likes to jump off the side of the tip, so the arc is not as stable, but a hoof on the pedal, and the arc jumps to the tip. From there on, it runs smoothly off the tip. For DC I still use Lanthanated ones. They are in my box, so no point in not using them. There are also people that use one tungsten electrode with one side for Alu and the other for DC, but for now, the electrodes get changed.

hotrodder · Jun 16, 2009

Gas lens demo photos from the Miller site (they were photobucket so i've saved 'em and uploaded here in case they disappear)...

Gas lenses let you extend the tungsten further for those hard to reach spots and (in the case of the smaller ceramics, say #5 or #7) you can get away with slightly lower flow rates- pics should make it obvious why

As Runnach said, you'll need gas lens collet bodies as well as the ceramics and IIRC for your torches you may need a different/additional insulator. These are for a wp-20 but the white disc is an additional insulator to adapt the larger gas lens to the torch

NTwoO, try the lanthanted with AC. Work well, with an inverter machine at least.

NTwoO · Jun 16, 2009

hotrodder said:
NTwoO, try the lanthanted with AC. Work well, with an inverter machine at least.

Thanks for the tip :cool:

Will give it a try.

runnach · Jun 16, 2009

Cracking pics HR showing the difference with and without gas lens fitted. I must have lead a sheltered life when using tungstens, only experienced Thoriated, Zirconiated and currently Ceriated.

Cheers.............

Garreth · Jun 16, 2009

Have ordered the gas lenses and associated bits - will give them a try !

Cheers !

Garreth

TheJoker · Jun 17, 2009

Garreth, can you please let us know what differences you find with the new kit!? :welder:

^neo^ · Jun 17, 2009

i find they're good on ali, but haven't noticed a difference on steel.
The only trouble with them is if you're working in a confined space, theyre a bit to fat at times.

rodofgod · Jun 18, 2009

neo!

I always used a gas lens whenever possible,for all TIG welding! The difference is amazing and if you can't tell the difference then your doing something wrong. You do need to up the gas flow quite a bit, from maybe 8lpm to 12/14lpm and if you use the extra large gas lens, even up to 18lpm, it's like welding glass!

regards

Garreth · Jun 18, 2009

Everything arrived apart from the insulating blocks - so I can't try them yet.

Should be a couple of days - will let you know what they're like !

Garreth

NTwoO · Jun 18, 2009

rodofgod said:
neo!

I always used a gas lens whenever possible,for all TIG welding! The difference is amazing and if you can't tell the difference then your doing something wrong. You do need to up the gas flow quite a bit, from maybe 8lpm to 12/14lpm and if you use the extra large gas lens, even up to 18lpm, it's like welding glass!

regards

Interesting. I thought the purpose of the gas lens is to be able to lower the gas flow and save gas. What is the main difference? I also don't understand the term "welding glass" Is that similar to welding Titanium without sufficient gas coverage?

^neo^ · Jun 18, 2009

i wondered the same!
Anyway, 'whatever works for you' is the best advice when it comes to welding.

Tungsten and gas lense advice

Garreth

Confused

runnach

Banned

NTwoO

More skill with grinder than welder

hotrodder

Member

NTwoO

More skill with grinder than welder

runnach

Banned

Garreth

Confused

TheJoker

Member

^neo^

Member

rodofgod

Member

Garreth

Confused

NTwoO

More skill with grinder than welder

^neo^

Member