I thought so too, but now that I see that gas lens insulator, that specific one that he has does (AFAIK) require the use of the stock insulator before it goes on. I wasn't sure, which is why I asked to see what it looks like from the rear. It is not meant to be butted up against the torch because then it bulges out the rubber lip on the torch head. In any event, I don't like the 2-pc insulator for gas lens setups, but that is just my personal preference. It just makes it too bulky.TraditionalToolworks wrote:George,
I just watched your video, and I'm surprised that all you've been told is clean, clean, clean.
You have mismatched consumables, that's your problem.
My suggestion:
1) Ditch that crap gas lens and the insulator.
2) Use only the standard consumables that came with your torch.
3) Take the extra o-ring off from your back cap.
4) Remove the back cap entirely.
5) Use the standard insulator with the standard collet body, standard collet and standard cup.
6) With the insulator on your torch, screw the collet body in all the way and hand tighten.
7) Add your collet in the top of the torch.
8) Insert your sharpened tungsten through either rear or front of torch head.
9) Add the back cap and tighten with the tungsten sticking out appropriate length for cup being used.
10) Set gas to appropriate level for cup.
Cleaning the material is not your issue, IMO, you have created the problem by mismatching consumables and are most likely sucking air. You should NOT be using 2 insulators.
My $0.02.
The way he has the torch set-up at 3:52ish is exactly what your steps already indicate: the stock setup with standard consumables.
jeryc0,- I am always out of position, I put all the weight to my left arm (torch hand) and when I try to move I am stuck, I have to lift the torch so I am changing the distance, when I do that I sometimes loosing the position of my right arm and I add the filler way up near the tungsten out of the shield and that’s why there is some black smoke on those beads and I also think, one time, I touched the filler to the very tip of the tungsten
This is an area where improvement will also show improvement in the welds. Keeping a consistent arc length is very important. You will get there with practice. The important thing is you have realized where you need to change. Tighten up your core muscles and keep the weight on your arms as little as possible, so you can easily glide along. Since you are posting not only great pictures and videos, you qualify to receive a "gas lens apparatus" for free from me so you can use it with your standard consumables. Please see what I did ►here◄, and let me know if you would like to receive a set of rings/mesh screens.
