collet body seized into torch

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Hello, I got a call from a buddy askin me how to fix a seized in collet. I wasnt sure so I looked online, but couldnt find an answer, but found this forum and though maybe you guys may know. Thank for any help.
Reply:Define seized. Is the tungsten in the collet and you can't pull anything apart? Can you get the tungsten out, but you can't pull the collet from the collet body? Is the collet body the part that's stuck in the torch and won't come loose?What size torch? The little 20 series collets are tougher to get out then say the bigger ones in the 17/18 series torches. Picts would help as well..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Not sure, think its the collet body, not the tungsten. The guy is using a air cooled torch doin aluminum. Its a 9 series. Im 8 hrs from the guy so not really sure of the situation. just called and asked if I knew how to fix it.Last edited by mark_k; 12-03-2011 at 03:16 PM.
Reply:Series 9 on alum sounds like he may have melted something unless he's doing very light work..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:He practicing on my machine, so sound like a new torch in the near future? He said he tried to lossen it with vise grips and it wouldnt budge. Would it be noticeable if it was melted in there? That way I can tell him what to look for. Thanks
Reply:Really hard to say without picts. Don't panic yet.The 9 series torch is rated at 125 amps. I know my 17 series torch gets pretty hot running 1/8" alum. I stop when it's too hot to comfortably hold with the light tig gloves I use and let it cool down. I know the students who use heavy gloves can hold a torch until it starts to melt in their hands in some cases. A melted torch is usually pretty obvious in many cases. If the torch head is deformed, that's usually a bad sign.My 1st thought would be to make sure he's taken the back cap off. In some cases I've seen students crank the back cap in so tight nothing will move. Then remove the cup if he hasn't already done so, and then try the collet body. Using vise grips and it won't move doesn't sound good however. He may also find things loosen up when they cool down, that's assuming he didn't crank the piss out of them when they were fairly hot and basically shrink fit the pieces together.Not to be a smart azz, he does know which way loose is right? You'd be surprised how many people tighten when they think they are loosening things...Last edited by DSW; 12-03-2011 at 03:57 PM..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Most likely he hit the puddle/filler with the tungsten then you hear that "Pop" sound as the molten aluminum travels up the tungsten and makes a big blob of aluminum that is now hard and in the process he has the blob between the collett and the cup..Been there done that and 9 times out of 10 you have to break the cup to get everything apart.Always have extra favorite cup sizes on hand for such blunders....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:He got the cup off. Think ill just check it out in two weeks when im back in my shop.
Reply:The guy called me back. The threads were messed up he said so he took a tap and fixed the threads on it. Dang it, was hopin to upgrade to a flex head.
Reply:I've seen the kids do a lot of things to stuff at the tech school, but I don't think I've seen one F up the inside threads on the tig torch yet. Not quite sure how you manage that with something you finger tighten.Glad to hear he didn't F up the torch too bad..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Maybe you should say to him, 'guess what you're getting me for Christmas?'LibertarianLincoln AC/DC 225Everlast PowerPlasma 70 Hobart IronmanEverlast PowerTig 200DX
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWI've seen the kids do a lot of things to stuff at the tech school, but I don't think I've seen one F up the inside threads on the tig torch yet. Not quite sure how you manage that with something you finger tighten.
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmHeat will do it.  I bought myself one of the 3/8" supa fine taps to fix my own torch.  Which brings me to a question.  Did the guy use the right tap?
Reply:If its getting so hot that the threads Gaul it's time for a better set up........If the torch feels hot through your glove your doing a no no   Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:I have twisted the collet holder so the holes are teardrop.   Bought a new torch head.  It was when I first started out and had no clue what I was doing.Live and learn.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:He had the right tap (since I spent so much for my tap set), he used a new body to check the threads. Wanting to get a water cooled torch, but funds are tight right now.Guess no harm no foul since the torch still works. Thanks for all the incite yall provided.