What TIG consumables

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Hey,Just recently got a 17V TIG torch so I can expand my welding capabilities. Been stick welding for a few years now though....Anyway, I only have the torch and the tiny amount of bits it came with. How OFTEN do you actually replace parts in your torch like cups, insulators, collets and collet bodies?I am trying to decide if I should purchase some different cups (like 5, 6 and 7),  some back caps and insulators or get a cheap starter kit like this one and also get a couple long cups and insulators. I have a pack or red 3/32 to begin with and would like to stick with these for a while. What consumables should I get to begin with and how long can I go before needing to replace anything?Regards,ChrisSupport Bacteria -  It's the only culture some people have!
Reply:Cups can break, get some spares.Collet bodies seem to last a while, but I've not been at this too long.Collets should last but having one hit the floor and shoot off to some dark recess of the shop when you're in a hurry can be a real buzz kill.Definitely get some tungsten.I just got some 2% lanthanated from Diamond Ground Products on ebay (thanks to the WW member for the tip) and it is the only thing I've tried that maintains any kind of point at 200A AC (for me, anyway). JoeMiller Syncrowave 200Mac/Miller MW130 MIGKalamazoo bandsawCincinnati Arrow 500 VMCColchester Dominion 15 x 36 lathe with 2 axis DRO
Reply:Thanks. What about insulators? Do they go brittle and need replacing. Sent using Tapatalk on AndroidSupport Bacteria -  It's the only culture some people have!
Reply:They last just fine, but Mysteriously Disappear  now and then so I keep spares. Like ballpoint pens, I'm not sure what becomes of them, but they are cheap.
Reply:Stay away from the Chinese ones, they are made of soft copper and warp faster than the American made ones.  Avoid "Riverweld" on eBay.  Im a newbie, but can't say enough good things about 2% Lanthanated electrodes. The best of all worlds.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Thanks again. The link I provided to eBay by the looks of it, sell the same stuff as 'riverweld'.Should I avoid '3shop-river' too? It's a bargain I can't refuse.Support Bacteria -  It's the only culture some people have!
Reply:You might want to look at a gas lense kit .I just started to learn how to tig and it helped me out a lot.
Reply:I TIG weld at work everyday. Aluminum, mostly 1/8 and up. You will need replacement parts for the whole torch just in case you drop the torch. You may think nothing broke or only the cup but the collet and collet body can bend if they are hot when you drop them. I use an 8 only because i dont like the step down on the 7 or anything smaller because over time and running at high heat like i do they tend to break at the seam and the 8's are solid and so i figure stronger. Depending on the thickness of material you're going to weld you may not need anything over a 10 but you can decide for yourself. When i started welding school they gave us a starter pack with all the cups and replacement parts you needed and im sure you can find kits like that. Good luck and I hope i didnt bore you.
Reply:Oh and get different tungstens to try out depending on the material. We stopped using the red at work because they are radioactive and we didnt have a safe enough way to grind them but if its just you at home you should be fine just dont let kids around when you grind them down.
Reply:Thanks again people.I went ahead and purchased some #5,6,& 7 cups as I'll primarily be working on thinner sections,I also got a bunch of collets, 3/32 gas lenses, back caps and insulators. That should be enoughfor now I hope.Support Bacteria -  It's the only culture some people have!
Reply:I bought some consumables from 3shop-river.Collet bodies, cups, insulators.I had already spent a small fortune on cyberweld.com for all the genuine weldcraft stuff, even gas lenses for my 17 torch and I just didn't want to drop another $50 on stuff for my 20.So far the 3shop collet body and cup have been fine.The insulator, well, I'm not sure what could go wrong with it, unless it's not teflon (which it appears to be).JoeMiller Syncrowave 200Mac/Miller MW130 MIGKalamazoo bandsawCincinnati Arrow 500 VMCColchester Dominion 15 x 36 lathe with 2 axis DRO