[popspipes]

Hi-

I'm in the process of purchasing some tig cups to suit my needs, but I am having trouble figuring out which sizes I should purchase. I plan on purchasing an array of cups, they will be for for both aluminum and steel (mild and SS). I understand that a gas lens will be needed for Al, but what tradition do you follow that sets the size of the cup, metal thickness ?
thanks-

I have found that a gas lens is as much or more important on carbon steel, you get instant porosity if the gas is dirty or if the coverage isnt right.

I use a #4 cuo .040 tungsten gas lens wp9 torch at about 5 cfh flowmeter (ball and tube).

Most of my welding is low current these days in the 10 to 40 amp range so I use the small torch setup for it.

I have a wp 26 that I use for high current, #8 cup size, 1/8" tungsten, gas lens, 10 - 15 cfh on the torch.

cups and gas lens are relatively inexpensive, around 4 dollars for the wp17 or 26 torch, the #4 cups were less than 6 bucks for a box of them. The larger ones may be more.