Gas Lenses???

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I want to put a couple of gas lenses on my TIG torches..........need a few questions answered.Do gas lenses use standard cups and collets.......also do they need special heat shields???
Reply:Special cups, but standard collets depending on the gas lense you want. Same teflon gasket. I would buy in a set anyhow, and have that spare set. HTPusa weld has nice kits. However the best collets are the Tellurium copper alloy types which last darn near forever.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:In my limited experience they use different size cups.  I have a 20 water cooled and a 17 air cooled torch.  And YES it stinks that you have to have two different size cups BUT once you switch you may always use one.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonSpecial cups, but standard collets depending on the gas lense you want. Same teflon gasket. I would buy in a set anyhow, and have that spare set. HTPusa weld has nice kits. However the best collets are the Tellurium copper alloy types which last darn near forever.
Reply:Try arc zone. I got a nice master kit from them
Reply:It depends on what gas lens kit you have.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:I run WP9/25 for pretty much everything I do (don't care for the bulkiness of the 17, just run the cooler when getting hot and heavy). here is my filtered setup vs. standard which fits both the 9 and the 25. I run the filtered lense 90% of the time, makes a great difference in color on stainless steel when doing production work (turntable type stuff). they us the same collets back caps and all, just different lenses and cups. I prefer the ceramic cups. when they start getting fouled, just throw them in the beadblaster to bring them back to life. They are cheap enough that you can have them in many sizes. Attached Images'14 HTP invertig 221Thermal Arc 201ts'15 HTP 2400'13 Hypertherm Powermax 30Esab 875Esab 251Clark Metal Servicespecializing in stainless steel exhaust systems
Reply:Sausage, You run a watercooled torch without the cooler on and don't burn it out?I'm afraid to do that with my 20, even for short bursts at low amps.  I've read that the WC torches aren't able to be sufficiently cooled by argon flow at any amps or CFH flow, by means of their design.  Sorry for the hijackTreelimbs,As Gamble said, the insulator may be the same or different based on your torch.  My 20 uses the same insulator, the 17 I used to use used a different one that came with my gas lens kit.  FWIW, don't buy that Pyrex cup thingy.  Waste of money from all I've researched.Last edited by Drf255; 02-25-2014 at 05:53 AM.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Why don't you try the Pyrex first? Lots of peopleLove them.Also you will burn your water cooled torch without the cooler on very quickly. Seen it happen a few times and even did it myself.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:I think he means he runs the wp-9 until he gets heavy work and then switches to the wp-25 water cooled torch? I could be misreading it though.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255Sausage, You run a watercooled torch without the cooler on and don't burn it out?I'm afraid to do that with my 20, even for short bursts at low amps.  I've read that the WC torches aren't able to be sufficiently cooled by argon flow at any amps or CFH flow, by means of their design.  Sorry for the hijackTreelimbs,As Gamble said, the insulator may be the same or different based on your torch.  My 20 uses the same insulator, the 17 I used to use used a different one that came with my gas lens kit.  FWIW, don't buy that Pyrex cup thingy.  Waste of money from all I've researched.
Reply:Don't really think he meant running the water cooled torch.......  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:The pyrex cups are good for beginners....until the beginner drops the pyrex cup and sees that $16. pyrex cup in a dozen pyrex pieces on the floor.MM210TA186TA95sLincoln AC/DC Tombstonegood old Smith torch setup 24v Readywelder mig w/spoolgunSB H 10 latheBridgeport mill6x12 K.O.Lee surface grinderK.O.Lee tool/cutter grinder
Reply:I have been using my water cooled Flex-Loc FL-230 for about six months now.  I called up CK Worldwide before I purchased it and they said if you're not running the torch with the water cooler, you can treat it like a 9 torch.  I have been doing just that and so far no problems, but if I'm running over 90 amps for any extended period of time I'll turn the cooler on.Back to the original topic, I had a 9 and a 17 torch and bought a kit of lenses, standard nozzles, and gas lens nozzles.  When I got the Flex-Loc I got rid of everything and only use a number 7 or a champagne cup on the gas lens.  I had the pyrex cup, it was OK but for me it felt like more of a gimmic and it was a little wonky.
Reply:Originally Posted by 900steveI have been using my water cooled Flex-Loc FL-230 for about six months now.  I called up CK Worldwide before I purchased it and they said if you're not running the torch with the water cooler, you can treat it like a 9 torch.  I have been doing just that and so far no problems, but if I'm running over 90 amps for any extended period of time I'll turn the cooler on.
Reply:Originally Posted by 900steveI have been using my water cooled Flex-Loc FL-230 for about six months now.  I called up CK Worldwide before I purchased it and they said if you're not running the torch with the water cooler, you can treat it like a 9 torch.  I have been doing just that and so far no problems, but if I'm running over 90 amps for any extended period of time I'll turn the cooler on.
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleBull****.I just got an email back from my CK rep.
Reply:I have done it too. Blew the **** out of the torch hose.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Ok great.  But how can you tell over the Internet whether a collet has tellurium in it? Or even when one is in your hand?
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonSpecial cups, but standard collets depending on the gas lense you want. Same teflon gasket. I would buy in a set anyhow, and have that spare set. HTP usa weld has nice kits. However the best collets are the Tellurium copper alloy types which last darn near forever.
Reply:Seems like the tellurium ones are also not that great compared to nickle lead copper ones. Or something like that.