I Just Bought My First Gas Lens

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I just bought my first gas lens. I've never used one before but I've heard a lot about them. I've seen them on other peoples torches, and I always wondered how much difference it really made. How do I know when to use it? How do I know when to take it off? What should I expect?
Reply:I use one at home almost all the time. It allows me to  stick out with the tungsten a bit farther than I would with a normal cup to get into corners and so on. It also allows me to slightly reduce my gas flow and save gas on average..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:Originally Posted by DSWI use one at home almost all the time. It allows me to  stick out with the tungsten a bit farther than I would with a normal cup to get into corners and so on. It also allows me to slightly reduce my gas flow and save gas on average.
Reply:I use nothing but a lens. Just two days ago I had to have stickout around 1" to get down into a port to weld, not one air contamination problem.I honestly don't even know what it is like not welding with a lens.nothing but gas lenses:
Reply:Is there any reason why you would not want to use one?
Reply:Originally Posted by BrianstickIs there any reason why you would not want to use one?
Reply:Originally Posted by BrianstickIs there any reason why you would not want to use one?
Reply:I normally go threw one lens every year. Well worth the $20.Oh yeah, most boogers can be picked off the screen, when the screen gets to many unremovable boogers I will pull one screen out and keep using the lens until it plugs up again. I haven't noticed any problems pulling out up to 2 screens out of the lens.
Reply:Originally Posted by VPTI normally go threw one lens every year. Well worth the $20.Oh yeah, most boogers can be picked off the screen, when the screen gets to many unremovable boogers I will pull one screen out and keep using the lens until it plugs up again. I haven't noticed any problems pulling out up to 2 screens out of the lens.
Reply:http://www.amazon.com/WeldCraft%C2%A...=wp17+gas+lensI could be wrong though, it has been awhile since I got a bunch.Last edited by VPT; 04-19-2013 at 08:17 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by VPThttp://www.amazon.com/WeldCraft%C2%A...=wp17+gas+lens
Reply:Originally Posted by SquirmyPugLooks the same as what I buy, you need to check your LWS.
Reply:Originally Posted by VPTI normally go threw one lens every year. Well worth the $20.Oh yeah, most boogers can be picked off the screen, when the screen gets to many unremovable boogers I will pull one screen out and keep using the lens until it plugs up again. I haven't noticed any problems pulling out up to 2 screens out of the lens.
Reply:I use gas lenses for everything.... The gas flow is just better period I use a jumbo most of the time with a number 12 cup on ss pipe.... I use a wp17 fv torch and if I need to get in a tight spot I switch heads to my number 9 with a mini gas lens I don't go through consumables to much I try to keep every thing as clean as possible
Reply:Originally Posted by BrianstickHow many screens are inside one of those?
Reply:Either someones blowing smoke or I'm on the wrong page here but all my gas lens's have single screens.  Mine are for a series 20 water cooled Speedway torch and lens are Weldtec!  Small, medium and large lens's.  Just my thought.  Best  Bob
Reply:Originally Posted by CMJ87I use gas lenses for everything.... The gas flow is just better period I use a jumbo most of the time with a number 12 cup on ss pipe.... I use a wp17 fv torch and if I need to get in a tight spot I switch heads to my number 9 with a mini gas lens I don't go through consumables to much I try to keep every thing as clean as possible
Reply:None really besides gas coverage and walking it is a little different than standard....
Reply:Some have about three screens in them I don't usually pull screens out of mines if they get messed up I save a few for purging
Reply:Originally Posted by rhuntEither someones blowing smoke or I'm on the wrong page here but all my gas lens's have single screens.  Mine are for a series 20 water cooled Speedway torch and lens are Weldtec!  Small, medium and large lens's.  Just my thought.  Best  Bob
Reply:That's a good tip, VPT, on pulling off a screen to prolong use.  I usually keep my expensive gas lens's well away from welding on any dirty materials (especially if any rust is involved in the materials, which can cause the molten puddle to flare / pop / erupt / spit.)There are a wide variety of different styles of gas lens's being manufactured.  The large diameter gas lenses can get really spendy.
Reply:I use CK gas saver system. It has its advantages and disadvantages. One of the advantages is that the screens are cheaper than normal gas saver screens and another is that the ceramic cups are the same size as a standard cup. The only time I would weld without a gas lens is when welding dirty material and even then I usually use an old contaminated gas lens.
Reply:Just paid out of pocket for a small 3/32" lens for work. They weren't sure about switching consumables, but after seeing they can save gas, get better shielding, better visibility and better reach, we ordered up a bag of 5.SqWave 200Millermatic 190Airco 200 ACHypertherm PM45Boice-Crane Band SawVictor O/A
Reply:Can you use a big gas lens collet body with small tungsten/collet? I.e. 1/8th gas len collet body  with 1/16th tungsten and 1/16th collet.-2 speedglas 9002x + Adflo-Miller Dynasty 200DX-HH 210 Mvp
Reply:I use my 3/32 lens with 1/16 collets and tung.http://weldingsupply.com/cgi-bin/spi...45V26||1|756||I just bought some of these. Now if you call, they are not the friendliest people. After all, they're from hellinois, AND, the chitcago area! But, my order was accurate and fast. I have ordered from them before, and I will order from them again."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:Originally Posted by BenDoverCan you use a big gas lens collet body with small tungsten/collet? I.e. 1/8th gas len collet body  with 1/16th tungsten and 1/16th collet.
Reply:Reviving an old thread here, but... I picked up a gas lens so I could use more stick out in acute angles of joined tubing.  My problem is that Im getting arching to the screen and if I stay in it, it will burn it up.  I was using a stubby cap out back and figured it was blocking a gas port or something. Switched that back to a reg one and still the same problem...  If I take the lens off and go back to a regular cup, all is good.  What the hell ?  Im lost here and dont want to burn my screens up.Joe
Reply:Originally Posted by JMS4Reviving an old thread here, but... I picked up a gas lens so I could use more stick out in acute angles of joined tubing.  My problem is that Im getting arching to the screen and if I stay in it, it will burn it up.  I was using a stubby cap out back and figured it was blocking a gas port or something. Switched that back to a reg one and still the same problem...  If I take the lens off and go back to a regular cup, all is good.  What the hell ?  Im lost here and dont want to burn my screens up.Joe
Reply:Thanks man, Im up and running now.  I think it was a combination of things.  May have been the cup, tossed that.  I think the 1/16 tungsten I had was junk IF thats possible. It wouldnt light up unless I was real heavy on the pedal, I only needed ~50 amps or so and wouldnt stabilize until much more.New cup, new tungsten, same lens.... well see how it goes.Thanks again.Joe