Thanks to all for the great tips! I really appreciate the help!

This is 2" OD tube. I'll definitely switch to a bigger cup right away. Gas lens is on my wish list as soon as I have a few spare bucks. In the meantime, I'll try a couple layers of fine SS mesh around the collet body for a quick & dirty upgrade.

It's been a long time since I welded SS & I'm relearning, mostly by trial & error. Working on 0.065" wall 316L polished stainless tube, doing fused butt welds with 100% argon back purge. Running 43 amps with a foot pedal at full power. Sending about 15 CFH to the torch & purging at ...