Winter 2010 Edition

Ask the Experts

QUESTION: What Tregaskiss consumables are compatible with one another and how do I select the right ones for my application?

ANSWER: We’ve designed our nozzles, contact tips and retaining heads to be interchangeable with one another—a system we refer to as our Common Consumable Platform. Even if you have semi-automatic and/or automated welding operations in your shop, you can use the same consumables across all of those platforms. And, in the process, you can also simplify your inventory and reduce costs for managing it!

Our Tech Service experts have compiled information explaining how Tregaskiss’ consumables are compatible and how you can select the right ones for your application.

Step One: Selecting Your Contact Tip and Retaining Head

Tregaskiss offers two main types of consumables systems, our Standard Duty (SD) TOUGH LOCK™ System and our Heavy Duty (HD) TOUGH LOCK System. Each consists of interchangeable contact tips, nozzles and retaining heads. We also have a small offering of Extra-Heavy Duty (EHD) consumables for demanding robotic welding applications.

Our SD System consists of two types of contact tips: SD Tapered and Standard Duty and it also consists of two retaining heads: Standard Duty and Dual Taper Standard Duty. Each of these contact tips and retaining heads can be interchanged with one another and they are useable on semi-automatic and/or automated welding MIG guns from Tregaskiss. The Dual Taper Standard Duty Retaining Head is new to the system and features a second taper between the gooseneck and contact tip (in addition to the one between the retaining head and contact tip) to keep your front end consumables locked tight from tip to neck. You can identify these retaining heads by the black O-ring around the base.

Our HD System offers even more opportunity to interchange contact tips and retaining heads to suit your needs—both for robotic and semi-automatic applications. We offer two types of Heavy Duty Retaining Heads (Heavy Duty and Dual Taper Heavy Duty) for semi-automatic MIG Guns and two similar types for robotic MIG guns. Compatible with all four of these retaining heads are five types of contact tips: Heavy Duty, HD Tapered, SURESTART™, Extended Life “CrZr,” and Extra Heavy Duty. Depending on the type of nozzle that you ultimately select, you can interchange any of the HD contact tips with the available HD retaining heads.

The TOUGH LOCK Contact Tips we offer for both the HD and SD Systems are available to accommodate a variety of wire sizes: .23- to 1/8-inch (see figure 3). Simply select the one that’s right for your wire diameter and that fits the retaining head you’ve chosen.

Note, all SD and HD retaining heads have part numbers beginning with 404 and contact tips have part numbers beginning with 403 (with the exception of the Extra Heavy Duty which is 603). Both consumables also have a second portion of their part number, which further helps identify what contact tips and retaining heads are compatible. For example, a 403-14 (Standard Duty) contact tip fits with a 404-14 (Standard Duty) retaining head.

Step Two: Selecting Your Nozzle

After selecting the most appropriate contact tip and retaining head, the next step is to choose the nozzle that fits your application. You can choose a nozzle according to the overall size, shape and bore size that provides the particular joint access you need. Like our contact tips and retaining heads, we offer both standard duty and heavy-duty nozzles. Each is fully compatible with the contact tips and retaining heads in the SD and HD Systems. There are also tapered SD nozzle options for tight access joints that are compatible with our SD Tapered Contact Tips.

Simply select the tip recess and bore you require, along with the type (copper or brass) of nozzle you desire for your application, and match it to your chosen contact tip and retaining head.

Note, like our contact tips and retaining heads, all Tregaskiss nozzles have a standard beginning part number: 401.

Remember, whether you need Standard Duty or Heavy Duty Consumables, Tregaskiss’ Common Consumable Platform lets you mix and match the components that best suit your welding needs—even across different types of welding platforms. And if you have any questions about which nozzles, contact tips and retaining heads suit your needs just contact our Tech Service experts. They’ll be more than happy to help!