45V27 - Weldcraft 45V27 1/8" TIG Gas Lens Collet Body (2-Pack)

Product Overview

The Weldcraft 45V27 Gas Lens is a premium TIG welding consumable designed to replace standard collet bodies in 17, 18, and 26 series TIG torches. Engineered by Miller Electric under the Weldcraft brand, this component is essential for professionals seeking to optimize their shielding gas coverage and improve overall weld quality. This specific gas lens is sized for 1/8-inch (3.2mm) tungsten electrodes and is supplied in a package of two, ensuring that operators have a backup component readily available for critical fabrication tasks.

Technical Functionality

Unlike standard collet bodies which can produce a turbulent gas stream, the 45V27 utilizes a multi-layer fine mesh screen system. As the shielding gas (typically Argon or Helium) flows through the torch body, it is forced through these screens. This process effectively straightens the flow, converting turbulent energy into a laminar stream. This laminar flow is coherent and stable, providing a much stiffer column of gas that resists dissipation from cross-drafts and movement. For industrial applications involving reactive metals like titanium or stainless steel, this stability is crucial for preventing oxidation and porosity.

Compatibility and Specifications

The 45V27 is a "Medium" or standard diameter gas lens, making it compatible with the industry-standard "3 Series" consumable ecosystem. It fits a wide range of torch models including:

• Air Cooled: WP-17, WP-26, and their valve/flex variants (17V, 17F, 26V, 26F).
• Water Cooled: WP-18 and its variants (18V, 18P).

It is constructed from high-grade copper and brass alloys to withstand the thermal cycles associated with TIG welding, rated for amperage ranges typically found in these torch classes (150A to 350A). Users must pair this gas lens with compatible gas lens nozzles (typically the 54N series alumina cups) rather than standard nozzles.

Operational Benefits

By installing the 45V27, operators gain the ability to extend the tungsten electrode further beyond the nozzle orifice—often up to 1 inch depending on gas flow rates and cup size. This extended stick-out provides superior visibility of the weld puddle and allows access into deep grooves, fillets, and inside corners that would be impossible to weld with a standard setup. Additionally, the improved gas efficiency can lead to reduced gas consumption rates in controlled environments.