Gas Lens

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I have a thermal arc 185 with a ck17 air cooled torch.  I have been looking at gas lens and it seems like a good idea to me.  Is there anyone else here that uses a gas lens on this torch, and what do you recommend.  I am not sure which lens will fit my torch.  Does anyone use this one?http://tigstore.com/thumbnail.asp?of...deep=1&cid=434 and you they happy or unhappy with it?  One more question what cfh do you run with a gas lens?Thermal Arc 185 TigHTP 200 MigCraftsman O/A1942 Bridgeport Mill12 Ton Hyd PressConsew Walking Foot
Reply:the real reason for a gas lenz is to concentrate the gas in the weld area when you have the tungestion sticking way out for places the reg cup would get in the way..if your only doing basic tig save your $$$ i only use mine once every 3-4 months...and even at that its not more than an hr. or so......zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:I like the gas lens. It certainly helps to stabilize the arc on my Lincoln Idealarc 250 TIG. It's noticeably better.Miller Millermatic 252Miller Syncrowave 200Liincoln AC-DC 225Victor O-A Set
Reply:You could get this one off ebay, 18 bucks with shipping:http://cgi.ebay.com/TIG-WELDCRAFT-ga...QQcmdZViewItemI use one on my torch, but don't have enough experience to say if it helps or not!  I run my argon at around 12 cfh.- John
Reply:If you want to have the effects of having a gas lens w/o purchasing one, put a little steel wool in the ceramic cup.  Just enough so that the gas will flow through.  If you put too much in, you won't get gas flow.
Reply:I have one on my torch and would not go back. I noticed no more brown yuckies in my alum weld I would get once in a while with a regular cup.T.J.
Reply:Personally, I can't figure why you would not use a gas lens for everything you possibly could.  Some applications, like welding in tight place may not allow a lager gas lens, but otherwise why not try to get the best shielding.  As Zap points out, with a gas lens, you can stick the tungsten out further, which can be helpful in tight places, or to see better.I also don't understand why you would use a small orifice cup when a larger one would shield a larger area, again provided there are no constraints of joint access, etc.  The perfect shielding may not be needed on steel and stainless, like it is for titanium, but why not improve your chances at the best quality weld anyway, it's not going to cost alot more. I have tried the type of lens shown by Wojeepster, and personally prefer the original design with multiple layers of various wire mesh.And as some beginners may not realize, more flow is not always a good thing, it can create turbulence and bring in air to the arc.
Reply:If your torch is a CK, you can purchase the gas lens kit from CK that fits your torch.  It cost about $32, comes with all needed parts, and you can either order it through your local welding shop or direct from CK at  www.ckworldwide.com.  I ordered one with my new CK torch.   Cant attest to how well it works though, as I haven't used the torch yet.
Reply:pulser where do I get a gas lens that will fit my torch with multiple layers of mesh.  do I just purchase one that will fit a type 17 torch (is a type 17 ck just like a 17 weldcraft?) or are they different?  Alot of websites do not go into alot of detail.Thermal Arc 185 TigHTP 200 MigCraftsman O/A1942 Bridgeport Mill12 Ton Hyd PressConsew Walking Foot
Reply:Well, I've gotten great service from ArcZone.Looks like your cw17 would take a 45V64 3/32" large gas lens collet body $12.61, a 54N63 nylon insulator $5.23, and a 53N87 3/4" nozzle $2.94, total $20.78.Of course there are different size lenses for the various electrode diameters, and also large and small gas diffuser sizes, and various nozzle sizes.See the CKW and ArcZone sites.http://198.170.235.20/catalog/web_st...=4512563_11391http://www.ckworldwide.com/3series.pdf
Reply:Regarding your first post and what gas flow for a gas lens, you should experiment for yourself, see how low you can go.  Try running beads on a clean shiny piece of steel or stainless and see how much gas is needed.
Reply:I'm in the middle of putting a cage in my Camaro and I'm thinking about switching over to a gas lens.  Actually, I think it will be a requirement since I'll need to stick the tungsten out to reach in some of the acute angles.   Originally Posted by pulserRegarding your first post and what gas flow for a gas lens, you should experiment for yourself, see how low you can go.  Try running beads on a clean shiny piece of steel or stainless and see how much gas is needed.
Reply:1/16" gas lens??  Sure you're not referring to the tungsten size?Anyways, since my last post on this topic some 2years ago, I have been using the gas lens on the TA185 with CK20 torch and it works great.   I have since switched from the CK clear pyrex lens to a regular pink lens cause the pyrex ones crack too easily if the torch is dropped or falls down.   The pink ones work fine, no problems, and hold up better to my mis-handling of the torch.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Yeah, I was referring to the tungsten size used in the gas lens collet body.Racecar FabricationOld Miller 320 A/BP TIGMiller 140 MIGwww.f-bodysport.com