Cleaning TIG Cups

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How important is it to keep your TIG ceramic cups clean?  While learning Ive developed a little debris (specks) in the ceramics.  Was wondering if/how this will affect the gas flow, etc...ThermalArc 185MillerMatic 180 w/ AutosetVictor Cutskill Oxy/AcetyleneThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38and spite!
Reply:not sure, but I think you can grind it down if it gets bad. Maybe with aluminum, it might arch?
Reply:Just use a wire bottle brush to get the crap out. No need to go crazy, it should be fine. Or, toss it if it is somehow really bad.
Reply:Sandblast cabinet.. ...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 was just wondering if it made any real difference +/-.  Is there any other maintenance with TIGing other than keeping the tungsten sharp?  What else am I missing?ThermalArc 185MillerMatic 180 w/ AutosetVictor Cutskill Oxy/AcetyleneThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38and spite!
Reply:Generally, spatter on the TIG cup is not an issue because you shouldn't be dipping the tungsten, hitting it with the wire, or getting such bad shielding, that you produce spatter.   I guess spatter does happen in TIG, but it would have to be pretty severe to cause turbulent gas flow.BTW, have you tried a gas lens?
Reply:I use my bead blaster when they get dirty. They come out looking like new.Miller Millermatic 252Miller Syncrowave 200Liincoln AC-DC 225Victor O-A Set
Reply:Originally Posted by pulserGenerally, spatter on the TIG cup is not an issue because you shouldn't be dipping the tungsten, hitting it with the wire, or getting such bad shielding, that you produce spatter.   I guess spatter does happen in TIG, but it would have to be pretty severe to cause turbulent gas flow.BTW, have you tried a gas lens?
Reply:Originally Posted by DirtyLittleSecretRemember that Im just learning...and am certain that I've screwed up several times! I have not tried a gas lense yet.  Spent a minute or so today and cleaned it with a wire brush/acetone.  Prettied up instantly.  Was just curious as to whether its an issue.
Reply:Oh, I didnt figure anyone here'd be giving me too hard a time...thats a good thing about this forum.  Seems its mostly positive/constructive criticism (what I need to become better).I just figure that if we have some of the new welders (like me) post up threads we can get some documentation for the rest of the community.  There's alot of "What the...?", and "Is that gonna...?" questions that one goes through as they are being self taught in any art/trade.  If my mistakes can benefit some other person then I can consider that to be my contribution to the board!  Just thought about the first time I saw a TIG torch.  Kept thinking that it looked quite harmless/innocent/impotent.  Now I know otherwise.Thanks!ThermalArc 185MillerMatic 180 w/ AutosetVictor Cutskill Oxy/AcetyleneThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38and spite!
Reply:Lots of spatter inside creates turbulance in the gas flow.  It will eventually cause a problem, but a spot here and there is not an issue. You can use a battery terminal cleaner ($3 at autoparts store) to clean both inside and out.  Only rarely does anything require more than that.http://www.acehardware.com/product/i...ductId=1379034Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:I took a #6 to the wire wheel today.  It came out shiny steel looking.  I'll post a pic in a couple of days.  Looks cool.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.