TIG Welder Set Up: Connections, Gas and Settings
TIG welder set up in order: connect the torch, fit the consumables, set the voltage, pick the mode for the metal, and connect the gas and foot pedal.
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TIG welder set up means getting the torch, the consumables, the power and the gas connected in the right order before striking an arc. Fit the consumables to the torch, connect the torch, set the voltage to match the outlet, connect the shielding gas, pick the mode for the metal, and connect the foot pedal. This guide walks through that order, then shows the gear that handles each part of it.
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Below: the setup in order, torch fit, and the gear for each part of it.
Weldpro 200A AC/DC TIG Welder with Pulse
A 200A AC/DC 5-in-1 multiprocess machine with pulse, foot pedal and 4 safety protections.
Pros
- 5 welding modes including AC pulse
- 0.5-200Hz pulse frequency
- 40% duty cycle at 200A stated
- Foot pedal included
Cons
- 61.8 lbs, heaviest here
- No warranty term stated
- Complex panel for a beginner
- No stated machine-only weight vs kit
ARCCAPTAIN 71 Pcs TIG Welding Torch Accessories
A 71-piece TIG torch accessories kit for WP-17/18/26 torches, with 6 glass cups, 10 gas nozzles, collet bodies, stubby gas lens, back caps and a cup gasket.
Pros
- 71 pieces, the most complete kit here
- 6 glass cups, 10 gas nozzles and 4 collet bodies in the box
- Pure copper material, per the listing
- 3 month warranty stated in the spec table
Cons
- Insulator rings may not match a CK torch
- No weight is stated on the listing
- Conductivity claim gives no conductivity figures, only a comparison to thoriated tungsten
- Glass cups are #12 only, with no other cup sizes in the kit
YESWELDER 49Pcs TIG Welding Torch Stubby Gas Lens
A 49-piece TIG torch stubby gas lens and #10 glass cup kit for WP-17/18/26 torches, for pipeline and arc welding on carbon steel and low alloy steel.
Pros
- 49 pieces of torch consumables in the kit
- Stubby gas lens with #10 glass cups
- Fits WP-17, WP-18 and WP-26 torches
- For carbon steel and some low alloy steel, per the listing
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- No weight or dimensions are stated
- Insulating rings may not match a CK torch
- No parts list beyond the 49-piece count is stated
TIG welder set up: connections, gas and settings
- Check the torch. Both consumables kits here fit WP-17, WP-18 and WP-26 TIG torches, so match the kit to the torch on the bench before fitting anything.
- Fit the consumables. Fit the collet body and collet, the stubby gas lens, the glass cup, the cup gasket and the back cap. The ARCCAPTAIN kit holds 6 glass cups, 10 gas nozzles, 4 collet bodies, 4 stubby gas lens, 3 back caps, a torch collet and a cup gasket, so spares are at hand.
- Connect the torch. Connect the torch to the machine. The ARCCAPTAIN kit fits ARCCAPTAIN torches with 10-25mm, 35-50mm and XS12-5P quick connectors, and the YESWELDER kit fits WP-17, WP-18 and WP-26 torches.
- Set the power. The Weldpro welder runs on 110V or 220V, so set the voltage to match the outlet. A 220V outlet is electrician work: use a licensed electrician rather than wiring it as a DIY job.
- Connect the gas. Connect the shielding gas to the machine and check the connections, following the welder manual for the gas and the flow it calls for.
- Pick the mode. Pick AC TIG for aluminum and DC TIG for carbon steel and low alloy steel, with pulse modes on hand for AC and DC TIG, and Stick mode when the job calls for it.
- Connect the foot pedal. The Weldpro comes with a TIG torch and a foot pedal, so connect the pedal and check it controls the arc before welding.
Torch fit: WP-17, WP-18 and WP-26
Both consumables kits here are made for WP-17, WP-18 and WP-26 TIG torches. The YESWELDER kit is a 49-piece stubby gas lens and #10 glass cup kit, and the ARCCAPTAIN kit is a 71-piece set with glass cups, gas nozzles, collet bodies, stubby gas lens, back caps, a torch collet and a cup gasket. Both listings note the same limit: the insulator rings may not match a CK torch, so check the rings against the torch before fitting them.
The gear for the job
The consumables kits fit the torch and keep spares at hand, and the welder is the machine they connect to: the kits handle the torch end, and the Weldpro handles power, mode and the pedal.
Welding setup safety
A TIG setup is electrical work as well as hot work. Use a licensed electrician for a 220V outlet, and follow the welder manual for connections and settings. Keep flammables away from the welding area, and work with ventilation and the protective gear the manual calls for.
Use rated jack stands on solid ground, wear eye protection with power and air tools, keep fuel-burning equipment out of a closed garage, and follow the manual for every tool. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
FAQ: garage tools
What torch does a TIG consumables kit fit?
Both kits here fit WP-17, WP-18 and WP-26 TIG torches. The ARCCAPTAIN kit also fits ARCCAPTAIN torches with the quick connectors the listing names. Check the torch model before ordering, since the insulator rings in both kits may not match a CK torch.
What is a stubby gas lens?
A stubby gas lens is a consumable in these kits, fitted with a glass cup on a WP-17, WP-18 or WP-26 torch. The YESWELDER kit is built around a stubby gas lens with #10 glass cups, and the ARCCAPTAIN kit holds 4 stubby gas lens with 6 glass cups in #12.
Do I need a different setup for aluminum?
Yes, a different mode. The Weldpro is an AC/DC welder with pulse: pick AC TIG for aluminum and DC TIG for carbon steel and low alloy steel. The torch and gas connections stay the same; the mode changes, and the manual covers the settings and tungsten for the metal.
What voltage does the Weldpro welder need?
The Weldpro runs on 110V or 220V, so set the voltage to match the outlet. For the 220V side, use a licensed electrician rather than wiring the outlet as a DIY job.
Will these kits fit a CK torch?
Not reliably. Both listings note that the insulator rings may not match a CK torch. The kits are made for WP-17, WP-18 and WP-26 torches, so check the rings against the torch before fitting them.
What comes in a TIG torch accessories kit?
It depends on the kit. The ARCCAPTAIN kit holds 6 glass cups in #12, 10 gas nozzles, 4 collet bodies, 4 stubby gas lens, 3 back caps, a torch collet and a cup gasket. The YESWELDER kit is a 49-piece stubby gas lens and #10 glass cup kit without a full parts list in the listing.
Related: engine and shop equipment hub, the best TIG torch with hose, the best MIG welding machines and MIG vs stick welder for the home garage. Size the leads with the welding cable size chart.
