CK17 Accessories FAQs
Answers to common questions about TIG torch accessories: consumable kits, gas lenses, cups, switches, cable covers and looking after them safely.
Should I use a clear glass cup or a ceramic cup?
Clear glass cups give you an unobstructed view of the weld area and tungsten, which many welders find helpful for accuracy, especially with a gas lens. Ceramic (alumina) cups are opaque and are the standard general-purpose choice for everyday work. Tougher materials are used for rough or very hot conditions.
Glass cups can crack with impact or heat shock, so inspect them regularly and replace any with chips or cracks.
Whichever you choose, make sure the size and thread suit your torch family and your gas lens or collet body.
How far should the tungsten stick out of the cup?
There is no single figure. Stick-out depends on the cup size, whether you use a gas lens, the joint access and the gas flow. With a standard collet body, the usual guidance is to keep the tungsten extension within the inside diameter of the nozzle. A gas lens allows the tungsten to extend farther than that.
Keep stick-out as short as the joint allows, because more stick-out makes gas coverage weaker. A longer nozzle gives the gas more room to settle before it leaves the cup.
A stick-out gauge helps you set it consistently. Follow your torch maker's guidance and your welding procedure.
What gas flow should I set when I change cups or fit a gas lens?
There is no universal setting. TWI quotes around 15 litres per minute as a general figure for gas shielded processes, but the right flow depends on the consumables and the surroundings, and the advice is to use the lowest effective flow for the job. Too much flow causes turbulence and can draw in air, while too little leaves the weld and the hot tungsten exposed to the air.
A flow meter regulator placed close to the power source gives a more accurate reading.
For your torch and cup, follow the maker's guidance and your welding procedure, and check results on scrap.
Should I use a torch switch or a foot pedal?
A torch switch is basically an on/off control: the current you get is whatever is set on the machine when you press it. A foot pedal gives continuous control of the current while you weld, which suits thin material and precise bench work, and it avoids having to move the torch to change amps.
A switch is simpler and handy for tacking, thicker parts and awkward positions where a pedal cannot be used. A pedal is best suited to working seated at a welding table.
Check that your machine has a remote socket and that the plug matches it, as they vary between makers.