Newbie Question - Downside to Gas Lens?

[greygizmo]

Gotcha, thanks for your responses. You have to wonder why nozzles that produce laminar flow aren't the standard, with more compact but turbulent flow models being more uncommon.

I'll have to pick a nozzle up at the LWS

[zedron]

Easier to clog up then normal collet bodies I think.

[sportbike]

Easier to clog up then normal collet bodies I think.

What does that mean? I have never clogged up anything??

[zoama]

Easier to clog up then normal collet bodies I think.

Like.. with a hair ball ?

[youngnstudly]

I have only used a gas lens on one occasion (it was the only option I had at work) and I was wondering what application they were specifically designed to be used for? I seem to get a different answer every time I ask someone about them. It's my understanding that they are more useful for limited access areas (when more tungsten stickout is needed), or when welding aluminum or other alloys that are "fussy" in regards to impurities, but do most of you run a gas lens exclusively? I have always gotten by without using one, by I am wondering if I would reap more rewards by switching over. With my DC only welder, I will mostly be welding Stainless and mild steel up to 1/4" thick.

Like.. with a hair ball ?

Now THAT was funny!

[zoama]

I have only used a gas lens on one occasion (it was the only option I had at work) and I was wondering what application they were specifically designed to be used for? I seem to get a different answer every time I ask someone about them. It's my understanding that they are more useful for limited access areas (when more tungsten stickout is needed), or when welding aluminum or other alloys that are "fussy" in regards to impurities, but do most of you run a gas lens exclusively? I have always gotten by without using one, by I am wondering if I would reap more rewards by switching over. With my DC only welder, I will mostly be welding Stainless and mild steel up to 1/4" thick.

This picture shows the only difference (gas lens is on the right).
Less turbulence gives better coverage and lets you reduce gas flow in normal use.

[youngnstudly]

This picture shows the only difference (gas lens is on the right).
Less turbulence gives better coverage and lets you reduce gas flow in normal use.

So it would actually benefit me to change over to a gas lens setup in order to possibly save shielding gas (as well as gain the other benefits), or is the gas flow reduction really minimal? I noticed that the cost of the gas lens parts are quite a bit more than the "normal" torch parts, and there's no sense in spending money (I don't have) on things (I don't need). Are gas nozzle sizes equivalent between regular gas nozzles and nozzles for gas lens applications? In other words, if I use a regular #6 cup and swap over to a gas lens setup, would I use the same size #6 (with all other things being equal)? Sorry for the dumb questions (hey, someone has to ask them!). My curiosity is running wild right now and all these questions are coming to mind. Thank you for posting the photo, it shows the obvious difference between both gas nozzles. I seem to respond to visuals better than text.

[zoama]

So it would actually benefit me to change over to a gas lens setup in order to possibly save shielding gas (as well as gain the other benefits), or is the gas flow reduction really minimal? I noticed that the cost of the gas lens parts are quite a bit more than the "normal" torch parts, and there's no sense in spending money (I don't have) on things (I don't need). Are gas nozzle sizes equivalent between regular gas nozzles and nozzles for gas lens applications? In other words, if I use a regular #6 cup and swap over to a gas lens setup, would I use the same size #6 (with all other things being equal)? Sorry for the dumb questions (hey, someone has to ask them!). My curiosity is running wild right now and all these questions are coming to mind. Thank you for posting the photo, it shows the obvious difference between both gas nozzles. I seem to respond to visuals better than text.

You can usually reduce gas flow by 1 or 2 lpm on a #5 cup.
CK says up to 40% but in my opinion, real world every day use is around 20%

I like the CK torches and wedge collets but I use generic gas lens parts.
Gas lens parts are pretty cheap at http://www.weldingcity.com/
Here's a pic of my CK130 with a generic gas lens and #5 cup

[zedron]

Like.. with a hair ball ?

I should have rephrased that a little better. If you get any spatter from contamination, it is easier to cause turbulence because the hole in the lens are a lot finer. If you dont get spatter then there is noting to worry about with it.

[Trip59]

I should have rephrased that a little better. If you get any spatter from contamination, it is easier to cause turbulence because the hole in the lens are a lot finer. If you dont get spatter then there is noting to worry about with it.

Actually just had this happen, welding some cast ####e, it's the only thing I can think of it was made out of, it was popping and exploding so bad I canned the whole repair and made a new piece. The crap flicked off the lens screen with a fingernail though.

On a related note, I'm not finding I can reduce it as much as I thought, I've gone from 9lpm to around 6-7 I believe, any lower and I'm getting smut and funny arc behavior. I wonder if I'm reading it wrong though, do you read the flowmeter from Everlast at the top, middle or bottom of the ball?

[redbeard]

do you read the flowmeter from Everlast at the top, middle or bottom of the ball?

Been wondering that myself. I've just been going with the middle, figuring that would equalize any error from an incorrect guess.

[zoama]

Been wondering that myself. I've just been going with the middle, figuring that would equalize any error from an incorrect guess.

I use the least amount that gets me a clean weld in testing, so wherever I read it from first is where I read it every time after, but I think I read it in the middle as well... hadn't thought about it until now.