When to use a gas lens?

by Rob
(Tracy CA)

Hi Jody, I have been reading and absorbing everything on your site and it is a great resource. I really like how you get straight to the point and cut through all the BS...

I am a beginning TIG welder (have about 20 years of MIG experience) I purchased a nearly-new Syncrowave 180SD and have set about learning to TIG. My main interest is to be able to weld thin stainless steel steet and tubing, (.040" - .060") for things such as tanks, exhaust headers, 3 to 4" diameter intake tubing for turbo applications, etc.

I have mostly just been practicing on thicker material (like 1/8") at this point. My TIG practice welds still look like fido's ass but hopefully not for long.

Anyway, I have heard several folks say that I need to use a gas lens for welding thin stainless, I understand that the gas lens straightens out the gas flow into more of a column, my question would be, when would YOU recommend use of a gas lens and, is it a good idea to just use one all the time? Are they also beneficial when welding Aluminum?

Thanks,
Rob

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you could just use one all the time.

there are some aluminum jobs that actually weld better without one. A lot of old timers use the old school cups for aluminum though they cant explain why.

for thin stainless and carbon steel and most aluminum jobs , it helps to use one.

...except for zinc plated steel or brass because the spitting will clog up the screen


thanks for the post,

jody