Nozzles and other consumables are just a small part of the overall cost that you would have to spend with TIG welding. Despite that fact, you still need to consider the consumables that you will be buying with care and consideration because a lot would be depending on their quality. If you buy cheap supplies in order to save on some money then do not expect that you will be getting high quality results with those products. Yu have to be willing to spend some money in buying up high quality consumables that will produce great results in the end. Here are just some of the tips that you should remember when buying some consumables for TIG welding:
TIG Welding Nozzles- Nozzles are the components that provide the gas coverage to the welding spot. The size of the of shield provided depends on the size of the nozzle. It has been proven that the nozzles that are made from 95% alum oxide are cost effective. The problem with these nozzles is that if you go on a higher current they lose their effectiveness, and they soon start getting cracks. The so called lava nozzles are a little more expensive but they are highly resistant to cracking. The best type of nozzles are the ones that are made from silicon nitrate.
Back Caps- These caps are used in applying pressure to the back of the collet to force it against the body. The pressure applied by the pa keeps the tungsten in place and keeps the torch isolated. These caps can just twist in the back to keep it in place. Made from a special compound these caps vary from one type to another to have a different resistance. There are three main types of caps according to size, there’s the short, medium, and long.
Collets- These are the components that holds the tungsten. Normally collets are made from copper. When you are buying collets it would be better if you would go for the more expensive higher end ones. Cheaper ones would do for general welding purposes but they do not last very long. To avoid inconveniences when you are in the middle of your work better go for something more expensive. This is because the more expensive collets and collet bodies have higher temperature resistance. They do not get cracked up easily even when exposed to extreme temperature.
Gas Lenses- These are used to increase the coverage of the shielding gas and cut down on the turbulence. With the use of lenses you can prevent discontinuities with welding that can be traced back to contaminants.
The main thing to remember when buying consumables for TIG welding is that sometimes saving on money is not always a good thing. Sometimes its worth it to buy something expensive and high quality. In the end it would all pay off and you would be saving a lot more money in the long run if you do not try to save on the cost of welding supplies.