Tig supplies off ebay

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I recently bought a used tig and need some torch supplies.  The welder is a Lincoln v205-t ac/dc with a PTA-17 air cooled torch.  I want to get some 3/32 gas lenses , collets, etc as well as some lathanated and ceriated tungsten.    Ebay has some great prices.  Does anyone have any experience with the lower priced supplies on ebay.I am new to tig welding and plan on only working with steel for now.  I think I can get away with only 3/32.  I might also get some 1/16 supplies too.  I'm still figuring out what exactly I need.John
Reply:Which eBay sellers?  If you are talking about the low cost imports, many of them ship from China.  Others are from import welding outfits that don't have such a good rep with the machines.  On eBay I go to Indiana Oxygen or Arc Zone depending on what I'm buying.  With IOC you need to buy it by the package, not singles.  If you just want a few singles to get you going, it may not make sense to buy on the Web but go to an LWS.  For tungsten I've used Anchor from IOC, CK from Arc Zone and GTP (Sylvania) from my independent LWS.  I can get the GTP for less than either IOC or Arc Zone, but have started getting torch parts from IOC.  I did use Arc Zone but the shipping was making the cost as much as the LWS on consumables.  Both Arc Zone and IOC have good service, are well stocked and will take care of you.Enough stuff to build and repair wrinkled up race cars or bring a classic back to life...
Reply:I ordered some gas lenses and collets off ebay.  Actually it was the htp welder folks so possibly not the lowest cost ones.  As  you can see in the picture the gas lenses have a champher unlike their listing photo and my used one.  It is necessary to modify something if you use a white insulator.  Some dark color insulators flex enough though I have no idea of where to get them.  The white insulators in the photo are what they sent to try and rectify the situation but were of no use.  I spent a fair amount of effort explaining the situation and sending a picture.  They tried but the picture in the listing was not what they sent.  They work fine otherwise.  The way the collet tightens down (tungsten still moves) seems kind of iffy at times even before ebay existed.Fran Attached Images
Reply:I guess I will stay with name brands and just try to find the lowest price.Fran...kIt's funny I saw those lenses on ebay with the ridge and noticed they were different than the one gas lense that was on my torch.  I too, figured the plastic piece in the picture was there to fix the difference.  Now I know better.
Reply:I have used lots of htp consumables including lens' and such, and have never had an issue. I highly recommend themDynasty 200DXPassport plus w/ spoolmate 100victor 315c oxy/(act and prop)Miller digital elitemilwaukee power tools
Reply:I have never gone wrong on ebay tig rod and consumables fast shipping and good stuff. I try to buy from my LWS but when a pound of Stainless rod is $25.00 verses $10.00 shipped my stupidity meter kicks in and I choose to save some money. I have even low balled my LWS and got them to reduce prices and if they get close I will buy from them. I have purchased both my MIG and TIG at my LWS AIR GAS but I had to bring in price comparisons and force their price down, they got close and I purchased.Donnelly Small Engine & WeldingFoley AlabamaLincoln 225 TigLinoln 215 migHypertherm Powermax 65Ellis 1600 sawEllis 6000 belt grinderJD2 Model 4 tubing benderAtlas  12"X54" metal latheLots of large hammers
Reply:I've checked a lot of online suppliers.  Welding Supply looks good for some things.  I haven't even bothered going to my LWS yet because I don't plan on messing with my new tig until I get a few others projects done (maybe a month+).In my searching I checked ebay again and I think I found something I may take a risk on.  It is probably imported but at least the gas lens don't have the chamfer that others on ebay had.http://www.ebay.com/itm/51-piece-TIG...item2c66ef6ae6Good, bad, or not worth it?
Reply:I would suggest just going with a gas lens only kit.  you really won't have a need for the others if you go with a gas lens setup  http://www.ebay.com/itm/SR-PTA-DB-17...item27c47d0ed6gas lenses are a bit wider but with the long cup option you just extend the tungsten more..  my orders from this seller usually arrive within 2 weeks of orderingTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:I would suggest just going with a gas lens only kit.  you really won't have a need for the others if you go with a gas lens setup  http://www.ebay.com/itm/SR-PTA-DB-17...item27c47d0ed6gas lenses are a bit wider but with the long cup option you just extend the tungsten more..  my orders from this seller usually arrive within 2 weeks of orderingor from the seller u referenced get this one http://www.ebay.com/itm/TIG-gas-lens...item27c959a603Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:I ordered from that seller on Sunday and it got here today. No brands on anything as far as I can tell but I don't see why that should matter.Lincoln 175HD
Reply:Any differences would be in quality of material, fit and wear.  Some of the low cost parts don't work well with moderate duty cycles or the fit is questionable.  Some are great.  You have to try them to make sure.  For me the difference in cost isn't enough for me to use an off brand but that might be a good route for some.  If you use the low cost parts I'd at least get name brand tungsten or tungsten from a known supplier.Another nod to a gas lens only setup.  I had my machine for about a year an a half until I went to a gas lenses.  I don't use anything else now.On Edit:  A +1 for HTP as well.  I've bought a couple things from them and they were great to deal with.Last edited by dstevens; 10-18-2012 at 01:23 AM.Enough stuff to build and repair wrinkled up race cars or bring a classic back to life...
Reply:I'm not a pro, but I've never had a problem with WeldingCity.  I think this may be the same as HTP/USA Weld.I have had nothing but problems from Riverweld.  Pure Chinese crapola.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Originally Posted by Rory BellowsI've checked a lot of online suppliers.  Welding Supply looks good for some things.  I haven't even bothered going to my LWS yet because I don't plan on messing with my new tig until I get a few others projects done (maybe a month+).In my searching I checked ebay again and I think I found something I may take a risk on.  It is probably imported but at least the gas lens don't have the chamfer that others on ebay had.http://www.ebay.com/itm/51-piece-TIG...item2c66ef6ae6Good, bad, or not worth it?
Reply:Originally Posted by Rory BellowsI've checked a lot of online suppliers.  Welding Supply looks good for some things.  I haven't even bothered going to my LWS yet because I don't plan on messing with my new tig until I get a few others projects done (maybe a month+).In my searching I checked ebay again and I think I found something I may take a risk on.  It is probably imported but at least the gas lens don't have the chamfer that others on ebay had.http://www.ebay.com/itm/51-piece-TIG...item2c66ef6ae6Good, bad, or not worth it?
Reply:It isn't that big a deal to modify something to make it work.  Just frustrating as the local welding shop didn't have any of the insulator I wanted to modify.  The options are plane the face of the torch, modify the insulator, modify the gas lens, or use a flexible insulator.  I didn't know it was an issue as the first torch I was using for some reason had the face planed and later bought some unused old genuine heliarc gas lenses off ebay in a lot that had a flexible insulator. So the two most logical things to modify is what I didn't do.  If you are on the extra cheap side the chances of prying just one screen out successfully is much greater on the shiny one in the picture as opposed to the gas lenses I got elsewhere.  I ordered two sizes of the gas lenses one had the champher, angle thing the other didn't.As to what is in stock at your local welding shop now or in the warehouse that supplies them.  I have caught them either accidently or on purpose saying this is from a main supplier ie tweco and upon fact checking tweco says we once supplied them look for such markings on them which wasn't there.
Reply:Just made my first online purchase of consumeables.  Decided to go with Welding City.  11 lb spool of .030 ER70S-6 $23.99 shipped, .065 1 lb package of 308l tig rod, $5.55.  Total was $43 shipped.  They don't have ER70S-6 tig filler rod though.  Too bad.-AaronJet 17.5" Drill Press1942 South Bend 16x84 Lathe1980s Miller 320A / BP --- 2013 Power Mig 2562012 Jet 7x12 Horizontal BandsawVictor O/A Setup
Reply:Go to their website directly instead of ebay if u r ordering multiple item the shipping works out cheaper.    I got a bunch of stuff via their website a couple weeks agoTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Wow,  some really great feedback and info here.   This is the exact information I needed.  I will definitely order only gas lenses and will get a known name for tungstens.  All the different brands and suppliers can be a little confusing.  Thanks fellas.