Tig Gas lens Cups

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Hey Guys,Been a while since I've posted here, but just received some new toys thats I've never tried in the past and had a couple of questions in regards. I have a synchrowave 200, and I just purchased some gas lens attachments to try out and see what some people have been raving about. Well first thing I didn't realize was that I need a different insulator for that end to go along with it. I bought everything from www.river-weld.com whom I think is certainly one of the cheapest sources to buy things from (just a bit delayed if you choose the slowest shipping as I did). Well my question is, if I use the regular one, and place some high temp tape ontop of it (I have powder coating tape which is good for over 500*F) would that work for now or do you guys think that will melt? If I have someone else with me here in the shop, I'd bust out the infrared thermometer and measured it myself but don't ... Thanks in Advance !Sam
Reply:Depends on the gas lens you have. The one I bought for my WP17 will take the standard insulator. It seals just fine even if it looks a bit odd. Eventually I'll get the other insulator, but for right now it's working perfectly. Attached Images.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:Ya I tried that, looks like it almost fits, but it certainly still leaks a bit. The closest welding supply shop to me still thinks that I should only be using pure tungsten for aluminum and didn't even know extra long gas cups existed. So getting stuff like this from there, takes for ever and cost an arm and a leg normally.
Reply:All my torches fit either gas lens or regular cups with collets.  They all seal.I guess I do not understand the question.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:My insulator is stepped. Reg cups seal on the inside and gas lens seal on the outside
Reply:My 17FV needs an adapter to work with gas lens cups.  It's sort of like a flat rubber donut that sits between the insulator and the cup to get a good seal.
Reply:Can someone tell me what the advantage is to using the gas lens, & how it accomplishes this advantage? Are there any trade offs as opposed  to not using it? Since I'm just starting to learn tig, should I learn with a regular torch without the gas lens, or would it be better to learn with it? I have already read about how it saves shielding gas, just wondering if there is a downside to using it.
Reply:The only down side that I have come across is the size.  Sometimes in a tight corner you can't reach it with a larger cup. But another plus with the gas lens is that it allows more stick out so this is rarely a problem.  For me anyway
Reply:Ok, I did notice that it requires a larger cup to accommodate the larger insert.
Reply:Its also supposed to use less gas. Back on topic though. I was shocked that they actually did have one in stock! Was really dusty but was there. I think another factor of the gas lens cup fitting with out without that piece is how old your insulator is. We'll I'll be playing around with my new toys later on with some new scrap steel just to get a feel for things.