Welding Tips and Tricks

New to tig, will be using a ck17 air cooled torch. I'm trying to understand collets, and could use an assist...

When do you use a split collet vs a wedge collet?

Does furick require a wedge collet?

Can a wedge collet entirely replace a split collet, or are both required (I'm not clear if a ceramic cup requires a split collet)?

I see the weldmonger FURICK #8 PRO COMBO KIT, SIZE 3/32, and it has both styles of collets, which confused me.

Thanks!

split collet and wedge collets are interchangeable. down to personal preference.
wedge collets are more durable but i found they can put the tungsten at a slight angle.

tweake wrote: ↑Sat Dec 14, 2024 8:03 pm split collet and wedge collets are interchangeable. down to personal preference.
wedge collets are more durable but i found they can put the tungsten at a slight angle.

Ok, thanks. I wasn't clear on the interchangeability and certainly didn't know about the slight angle.

CK Worldwide think they are an improvement that don't twist and last longer. They are interchangeable with slotted collets.

https://www.ck-worldwide.com/wedge-collets.html

Jack

Split collets will distort with heavy amperage and heavy use. Wedge collets endure those conditions far better. I don’t use split collets any longer because as you use shorter tungstens and smaller back caps to get into tight spaces, it has been my experience that split collets will lose their grasp on the tungsten and the tungsten will slide out at the most inopportune time.

Jack Ryan wrote: ↑Sun Dec 15, 2024 3:19 am CK Worldwide think they are an improvement that don't twist and last longer. They are interchangeable with slotted collets.

cj737 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 15, 2024 7:48 am Split collets will distort with heavy amperage and heavy use. Wedge collets endure those conditions far better. I don’t use split collets any longer because as you use shorter tungstens and smaller back caps to get into tight spaces, it has been my experience that split collets will lose their grasp on the tungsten and the tungsten will slide out at the most inopportune time.

Thanks Jack and cj, that's helpful. I'm still scratching my head a little as to why weldmonger includes both styles of collets in some of their kits, but I won't worry too much on that.

rossn wrote: ↑Mon Dec 16, 2024 5:29 am I'm still scratching my head a little as to why weldmonger includes both styles of collets in some of their kits, but I won't worry too much on that.

Probably because there will be someone who can't weld without a split collet - or vice versa.

Or perhaps it was determined by stock availability.

But you are right not to worry about it.

Jack