JDL Tuning

Hello all, I just purchased an Everlast PowerTIG 210 EXT. I took a short 6 hour course on Tig Welding about a year ago and learned the basics but when it comes to selecting what consumables to purchase I am lost.

The machine I purchased comes with Series 9 and a Series 26 Torches. My questions are as follows

- what type of Tungsten do I use for Aluminum and what do I use for Steel? I am going to be welding on scrap metal for now but in the future I want to make Intercooler Piping and an Exhaust.

- There are lots of different collets to use and the ones that are available for my torches are 1/16”, 3/32”, 1/8”. What are the differences and what are the advantages of one over the other?

- The we have Gas Lenses and Cups. What to choose? I want to get everything I need in one shot so that I can get going on the same day I receive my welder.

This is a 9 Series Pro Torch Kit for $45. It includes the following.
• 4 - Alumina Nozzles 5-6-7-8
• 2 - 1/16 2% Ceriated Tungsten (grey)
• 1 - 3/32 2% Ceriated Tungsten (grey)
• 1 - 1/8 2% Ceriated Tungsten (grey)
• 2 - 1/16 2% Lanthanated Tungsten (blue)
• 1 - 3/32 2% Lanthanated Tungsten (blue)
• 1 - 1/8 2% Lanthanated Tungsten (blue)
• 1-1/16 Collet and Collet Body
• 1-3/32 Collet and Collet Body
• 1-1/8 Collet Body and Collet Body

Is this something I should go with or should I get something else? I know Toxic Fab makes some nice stuff but since I am a newbie and I did not want to go overboard on buying nice Cups that I will probably ruin in no time. Any information you guys can provide is very much appreciated.

Thanks,
Joshua

that-guy

I use 3/32 light blue 2% Lanthanated for pretty much everything. I very rarely switch to 1/16...try WeldingCity on Ebay, that have good quality kits for basically any torch. they come from China, so they take a week or so to come in, but by far the best prices...so I would get 2% Lanthanated in 1/16 and 3/32 (doubt you will ever need 1/8) and a LARGE lens/cup kit from WeldingCity on Ebay ranging from #6 to #12

aluthman

This is pretty much exactly what I was going to say. Buy a 10 pack of 1/16" and 3/32" 2% lanthanated tungsten off of Amazon (or ebay). THey run about $20 each. Also get a gas lens for each size. I use a #7 cup on pretty much everything but stainless. I have a 1.25" pyrex cup for that. Buy extra collets, because they are easy to twist and deform if you over-tighten them (especially while hot). Don't forget to buy a few stainless bristle wire brushes. Keep one strictly for aluminum use if you will be working with aluminum at all.

essex

if you have never welded before having a couple of sticks of tungsten is not enough because you would probably be dipping and grinding all the time, do yourself a favor and buy a pack of tungsten like 3/32 2% Lanthanated , buy a pack of gas lenses and 1 cup size and then see what you need from there because you are going to spend $$ on argon...which you will go through a lot when you are learning. Most of the stuff in those kits you will never use

Hidenplanvew

I use 3/32 "gold" tungsten and #10 cups for pretty much everything