Why not use gas lens all the time?

admin

Ok, if it helps with turbulence and it gets into tighter places, why not?Is the price not worth it?I only read that it's for stainless steel but you can use it on all materials.  I have never used a gas lens but I like the shape better.  I'm very new to TIG and 90 degree joints are kinda hard to get into with the stock WP-17 Miller Diversion torch and collet that it comes with.  I have to stick it out like 3/8" to get in there.  Moving up to stainless soon.
Reply:there is nothing wrong with using a gas lens all the time.
Reply:I use one on everything.  The only time I switch to running without is when I can't get the torch in a tight space with the big lens on it.www.lindgrensupercars.comMiller Dynasty 350Miller Dynasty 200DX - retiredMiller Millermatic 210Miller Spectrum 3080Miller "Power of Blue" stool  Miller Syncrowave 180SD - retired
Reply:as kjlindgr said.. aslso i fine sometuimes i get crap on the gas lens screen, so i only use it when i need it
Reply:Originally Posted by mulvathere is nothing wrong with using a gas lens all the time.
Reply:Originally Posted by driftstarA place I just did a weld test for would beg to differ...I failed because it's apparently wrong to use them...I was using a #8 on 1/8th aluminum. They proceeded to tell me that gas lenses are to big, make it to hot, and are wrong for aluminum.I couldn't believe what they were telling me...
Reply:A place I just did a weld test for would beg to differ...I failed because it's apparently wrong to use them...I was using a #8 on 1/8th aluminum.They proceeded to tell me that gas lenses are to big, make it to hot, and are wrong for aluminum.I couldn't believe what they were telling me...
Reply:I use gas lens exclusively on the TA in the shop.  On the tig on the truck I use a regular cup only because I couldn't find a gas lens for a 17 air cooled torch when I bought the torch.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:I very rarely use one, only when access dictates a large stickout.  Currently have a #6 cup on a #20 torch at work.  I use that setup for 95% of the tig work I do.  I don't like gas lenses simply because of their bulk.  I am not having gas flow problems with a standard nozzle, and typically only have 1-2 electrode diameters of stickout.  I see no reason to needlessly encumber myself with the larger gas lens frontend.  For reference the tig work I do generally consists of fillet or groove welds 3/16" or smaller.  Above that I will only tig if it is specifically required.
Reply:I have very little experience with TIG but asked about using them to a group of boilermakers.  They laughed at me and told me they just used a chunk of steel wool jammed up inside the cup.  I guess when you are in the field you are not going to have everything you want or need so they make do.
Reply:I only take mine off to change tungsten size
Reply:Originally Posted by lotechmanI have very little experience with TIG but asked about using them to a group of boilermakers.  They laughed at me and told me they just used a chunk of steel wool jammed up inside the cup.  I guess when you are in the field you are not going to have everything you want or need so they make do.
Reply:Originally Posted by lotechmanI have very little experience with TIG but asked about using them to a group of boilermakers.  They laughed at me and told me they just used a chunk of steel wool jammed up inside the cup.  I guess when you are in the field you are not going to have everything you want or need so they make do.
Reply:Originally Posted by lotechmanI have very little experience with TIG but asked about using them to a group of boilermakers.  They laughed at me and told me they just used a chunk of steel wool jammed up inside the cup.  I guess when you are in the field you are not going to have everything you want or need so they make do.
Reply:Originally Posted by sn0border88Whoever told you that is a friggin moron and shouldn't be giving anyone advice on welding, period.Gas lenses are usually the preferred way of doing any joint in any conditions.  They just work better.  Especially on aluminum.Thats all I ever use unless I have to switch to a regular nozzle for clearance reason.
Reply:Maybe they were seeing if you knew what was right?  Stick out, filler size, and lens, should be up to the guy holding the torch.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmMaybe they were seeing if you knew what was right?  Stick out, filler size, and lens, should be up to the guy holding the torch.
Reply:Originally Posted by driftstarThat's what I thought.. But they were very adamant about not letting me change anything... It was their way.. Or fail... First and only weld test I have ever failed.Quite frankly. I am glad I failed. I am glad I'm not working for them.Actually. The forman and lady in the booth both told me. And I quote. "When you do a weld test. You should always do it their way. Don't touch anything".
Reply:We order nothing but gas lenses on this job.  Thousands of them.
Reply:Originally Posted by lotechmanI have very little experience with TIG but asked about using them to a group of boilermakers.  They laughed at me and told me they just used a chunk of steel wool jammed up inside the cup.  I guess when you are in the field you are not going to have everything you want or need so they make do.
Reply:Posted by Driftstar:That's what I thought.. But they were very adamant about not letting me change anything...It was their way.. Or fail... First and only weld test I have ever failed.Quite frankly. I am glad I failed. I am glad I'm not working for them.Actually. The forman and lady in the booth both told me. And I quote. "When you do a weld test. You should always do it their way. Don't touch anything"
Reply:It was for MJ Manufacturing. A subsidiary of Martin Rea Int.Not a small corporation.I did this in Toronto.. Errr... Mississauga.This branch did a lot of armoured car parts for Mercedes. (From what they told me)I did this test about two weeks ago. They have been looking for TIG welders since May of this year... I wonder why they are still looking??? lol
Reply:Could be they wanted to see what you could do with the worst junk they had.   A lot of welders can make a good weld with PERFECT equipment.   IT takes a great welder to make a good weld with crap tools.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:Perhaps they want to bring welders in from overseas (for cheaper rates), to do so they would have to be able to say to the Government that they cannot find suitable local talent.Just a thought, I hope I am wrong though.Regards.Working on cars and bikes is my hobby, learning to weld the pieces together is my quest.
Reply:Originally Posted by Bellamy MfgActually this works quite well. You are risking contamination though.Originally Posted by Joe HI can see it. In fact the thought has crossed my mind in the past, never tried though. It's very rare that I'll use one. They are just too big, gets on my nerves. I just don't see the need to use one all the time when it's seldom really needed.
Reply:for those that smoke, or dont inhale, you can try this test, albeit a little unscientific:i install gas lense, then take the back cap off, remove tungsten, take in a deep drag of cigarette, and blow into where the back cap screws on while trying to emulate 12cfm.  you can see the stream of smoke that comes out and the dispersion pattern.then remove gas lense, and install the collet system and repeat...i tried it just for fun.  maybe i'll try taking picture of this stunt and post it.
Reply:From the Millerwelds site...About the only time i take a gas lens off is to replace it with a BIG gas lens
Reply:^That's exactly why I use a gas lens 99% of the time. The 1% being those times where its simply not gonna fit... Like welding inside 1.5''x1.5'' hole...
Reply:Originally Posted by driftstarIt was just one person that told me that either.The lady in the booth. (Where I did the aluminum test). The Foreman, and their "weld inspector".... All of them fed me this rubbish...I told ALL THREE OF THEM... this exact thing. They looked at me like I had no clue what I f***ing talking about.I asked numerous times to let me do it my way. they refused as it was "incorrect or wrong".They eventually got fed up and forced me to use it the way they wanted me to.#6 collet cup. 5/32nd red tungsten... The most poorly sharpened tungsten... (Which they WOULD NOT let me re-sharpen). It wasn't sharpened to a point. Nor was it balled... It was somewhere in between. I swear they sharpened it on the asphalt.Then they proceeded to tell me to stick out the tungsten damn near a 1/2''...This was on 1/8th aluminum... And I was given 1/16th 4043 welding rod.I have NEVER been frustrated and annoyed with ANYONE in the welding industry...
Reply:Originally Posted by SR20steveDamn thats big *** tungsten for 1/8th plate and 1/16th filler isn't it?? Screw them, who knows what kind of motives they had.
Reply:Someone mentioned that they may be wanting to import some workers on the cheap. Pretty messed up conditions there.
Reply:There must be some way of reporting this to the government..... I know I know ....one failed test with poor conditions might sound like a person whining but the goverment must know if a compnay is BSing their way into off shore labour.  BTW a company up here in McMurray hired a bunch of Chinese weldors a few years back.  Unfortunately these guys were killed when the tank they were welding collapsed....... rumour has it these guys barely knew how to strike an arc... At the time there was alot of work going on but come on, do you really think they couldnt find qualified guys in North America?
Reply:Originally Posted by Bellamy MfgActually this works quite well. You are risking contamination though.
Reply:Might be something to try when the gas lens is too big.
Reply:I am extremely skeptical of all advertising and like explinations for everything.  So, about the two pictures with the smoke.  Yes, the lense appears to provide better coverage because of smoother flow.  But... compare the thickness of the coverage layers between the two.  The conventional cup has a much thicker layer.  How does the heat of an arc affect all of this?  Don't fall for the gimmicks.  I'm not saying either is better but those pictures mean nothing.
Reply:I am not it is really a thicker "layer" of gas. I think its that the standard lens allows the gas to go kind of everywhere whereas the lens is doing a better job of directing the gas where it should be going.'Mike
Reply:Originally Posted by 76GMC1500I am extremely skeptical of all advertising and like explinations for everything.  So, about the two pictures with the smoke.  Yes, the lense appears to provide better coverage because of smoother flow.  But... compare the thickness of the coverage layers between the two.  The conventional cup has a much thicker layer.  How does the heat of an arc affect all of this?  Don't fall for the gimmicks.  I'm not saying either is better but those pictures mean nothing.