Welding Tips and Tricks

Would anyone know what the material is that the white cup isolators are made of?
Some sort of plastic.

PTFE aka Teflon

Some one is trying to make their own cup, I see! Let's see pics!!

Oscar wrote:Some one is trying to make their own cup, I see! Let's see pics!!

"No try, just do!".

Oscar wrote:Some one is trying to make their own cup, I see! Let's see pics!!

I'm a machinist as well as a welder. The machining time to make an insulator-much cheaper to buy one. Just my opinion. Maybe he's bored and wants to play with a lathe.http://forum.weldingtipsandtricks.com/p ... 5&p=101431#

@ Greybeard - both PEEK (polyetheretherkeotone) and PTFE (polytetraflouroethylene) are used as thermoplastic-based isolators for TIG torches.

In the two graphs below, PEEK is the upper bar while PTFE is the lower bar for a given Thermal Property or Mechanical Property.

We've used both materials for large diameter #20 cups....not the isolator, but the actual cup....that we subtractively (i.e. machined via lathe) manufactured as proof-of-concepts for low duty cycle & heat input on Titanium.

Note, both materials have near-identical Solidus (melting) melting temps, while PEEK slays PTFE 3:1 in the heat deflection temp property.

'Stang wrote:

Oscar wrote:Some one is trying to make their own cup, I see! Let's see pics!!

I'm a machinist as well as a welder. The machining time to make an insulator-much cheaper to buy one. Just my opinion. Maybe he's bored and wants to play with a lathe.http://forum.weldingtipsandtricks.com/p ... 5&p=101431#

I'm right here, you can address your comments directly.
I'm long past retirement and still "play" with my lathes, milling machines and welders every day.
Yes, plural...I've been around.
It doesn't take a genius to know (and point out) that it's "cheaper" to buy certain items.
Cost isn't the question.
Curiosity is in what time I have left.
That's based on arriving at the point where I recognized that I actually don't know everything in the world, but now can
indulge my curiosity.
And am I havin' fun!!
Don't kill your curiosity.
Bottom line is NOT everything.

Arclight Ironworks wrote:@ Greybeard - both PEEK (polyetheretherkeotone) and PTFE (polytetraflouroethylene) are used as thermoplastic-based isolators for TIG torches.

In the two graphs below, PEEK is the upper bar while PTFE is the lower bar for a given Thermal Property or Mechanical Property.

We've used both materials for large diameter #20 cups....not the isolator, but the actual cup....that we subtractively (i.e. machined via lathe) manufactured as proof-of-concepts for low duty cycle & heat input on Titanium.

Note, both materials have near-identical Solidus (melting) melting temps, while PEEK slays PTFE 3:1 in the heat deflection temp property.

Screen Shot 2017-11-12 at 7.57.30 AM.png

Huge thanks and thanks to all who replied!

Greybeard wrote: ....havin' fun!!
Don't kill your curiosity.
...

Can I have an AMEN for my brother Greybeard?

AMEN!

Amen