Aluminum TIG guys a question on cups/"gas lense"

As someone else mentioned try Zirconiated tungstan. It is a bit spendy but last a lot longer than pure.

I was lucky and a couple years ago got to tap into the knowledge of someone that has welded for 40+ years. He became like a father to me and taught me and refined my skills.

Gas lense was another suggestion he made. don't worry about the cost, you will recover that cost in savings of argon within just a couple bottles.

I have never taken the gas lense back off since I put it on ~2yrs ago. (they do need changed occasionally though).

 

A lot of good posts in this thread. Gas lenses are awesome! They'll also save you money in the long run because you can run less flow and get better coverage.

-Josh

 

I also tend to use a gas lens for most welding but primarily because it allows much better viewing of the weld field. As far as what "thoriated, ceriated, lanthanated, etc. mean, tungsten is doped with a small amount (~2%) of one of the elements listed above to alter the characteristics of the electrode.

For example, a 2% thoriated electrode allows for easy starts on steel using DC current, but will not hold up well welding aluminum with AC current.