Problem with stubby gas lens kit

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The issue is with the collets that came with a "Stuby gas lens kit" from Jody at Weldmonger for a 26 air cooled torch that gets used occasionally on out of the shop work. The collets just barely clamp the tungsten with excessive force on the back cap. I think this is because they are slightly short in length. I don't know who makes them for Weldmonger. The quality looks OK but they just don't work like a standard collet should. I bought the exact same kit for a friend at a much earlier date and it has the same problem. Thought that might have been an isolated case at that time. I called them but never got a return call. Left a message on their contact page but no answer as yet.I do have the correct insulator installed, only one of the two fits. The collet body is wrench snug into the torch. The problem is worse on my friends Lincoln 17 torch. I have read of others having the same problem and solving with wedge collets. For the amount of times I use the air cooled torch standard collets would work just fine. I am also looking to get away from using wedge collets.Anyone else have the same problem with that kit?Ernie F.
Reply:I have never bought gas lens kits from Jody. I have always bought mine from HTP America and have not had these types of problems. FWIW.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:I have experience this.  I checked the tungsten, and found it to be a few thousandths undersize in diameter.  The collet grabbed securely on a proper diameter tungsten.Just something to check.
Reply:I think the CK wedge style collets might solve this issue for you.https://www.ckworldwide.com/products/wedge-colletsMillerMatic 252, HTP 221 w/cooler, Hypertherm PM45, Lincoln IdealArc 250 AC/DC"I'd like to believe as many true things and as few false things as possible"
Reply:

Originally Posted by Louie1961

I have never bought gas lens kits from Jody. I have always bought mine from HTP America and have not had these types of problems. FWIW.
Reply:

Originally Posted by ToolFanGeoff

I have experience this.  I checked the tungsten, and found it to be a few thousandths undersize in diameter.  The collet grabbed securely on a proper diameter tungsten.Just something to check.
Reply:Take a piece of sandpaper and open up the slits on the collet (assuming it has a single slit and is not the "Y" triple slit type).

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