I cannot seem to find any info on what # cup i should be using. Im not welding in any super tight clearance areas. Im only welding 18 gauge box steel tubing. But i was browsing ebay and found an assortment of cups for like 25 bucks. I have a #6 right now, but i see the numbers ranging from 4-10. What's optimal? i would think smaller would be better but i've been wrong before. Also im not sure if the cups would fit my torch, i have a hobart tigmate(econotig).

thanks

Rob

 

You should get a gas lens and a #10 cup for stuff that's not in tight places. A smaller cup is NOT better. In fact, you should only use a smaller cup when necessary to get into tighter areas. The larger cup helps to shield the weld and the head affected zone. Imagine the gas is like a waterhose, spraying out argon. It's best to have a mist that spreads out than one fine stream.

BTW...the gas lens will use the same collets, just different cups.

 

im a realtive newb to tig welding, but whats a gas lense again?

ok, i'l go buy an assortment of larger cups soon

thanks

 

Yeah, what do you guys call "gas lens" ??

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RYSO &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yeah, what do you guys call "gas lens" ??</TD></TR></TABLE>

It's basically a collet body that has a mesh end to it, looks like a really tight weave you would use for say a screen porch, only made of metal.

It helps in producing a better, more even argon bubble.

http://www.weldingmart.com/Qstore/p001620.htm