What is up with TIG torches and Parts?
& the Numbering System?

 

The TIG torch numbering system (like 9, 17, 20, 26, etc.) seems random to most of us welders because there’s no rhyme or reason...no pattern.

How the TIG Torch Numbering System Started

• The numbers (e.g., 9, 17, 26, 20) were originally assigned by manufacturers like Weldcraft, when they developed new torch models.
• Weldcraft (a brand under Miller Electric) was one of the first to mass-produce air- and water-cooled TIG torches for industrial use.
• Over time, the industry adopted their part numbers as a the standard and torch companies still use them for reference.
• AWS A5.12 (the specification for tungsten arc welding equipment) never defined torch numbers, so the system was left to manufacturers—leading to random numbers and inconsistency.

Simple TIG Torch Number Chart

Why TIG Torches with Different Amperage ratings Use the Same Front End Hardware

• Torch styles share front-end consumables based on size, not cooling.
• For example, 9 and 20 use the same collets, cups, and back caps even though the 9 is an air cooled 125 amp torch and the 20 is a water cooled 250 amp torch.
• 17, 18, and 26 also share front-end parts.
• There are also Stubby Gas lens kits that allow using 9 and 20 torch cups on 17/18/26 tig torches.

 Both TIG torches and parts have legacy product IDs, not a systematic code. Once manufacturers like Weldcraft assigned numbers and those torches and parts became popular, the welding world adopted them—and now it’s the standard, confusing or not.

TIG Torch Parts

The scoop from old timers in the welding supply business is that the "WP" in WP9 OR WP20 stands for "WELDCRAFT PRODUCT" or WELDCRAFT PART.

Now almost every tig torch company still uses "WP" in their torch part number listings because the industry adopted it long ago and people still ask for wp numbers and also search for it online.

TIG Torch Part Numbering Explained

The TIG torch part numbering system can be confusing at first, but once you understand the pattern, it makes selecting compatible parts a lot easier—especially for torches in the 9/20 and 17/18/26 families.\

For torch series: 9, 20, 17, 18, and 26

These parts typically include:

 

• Collet
• Collet body (or gas lens)
• Ceramic cup (nozzle)
• Back cap
• Torch insulator

Each part is usually identified by a two-digit prefix that makes no sense whatsoever.

9/20

TIG TORCH PARTS

9/20 Tig Torch Collets

9/20 Torch Part	Legacy Part Number	Description
Collet	13N20 (.020”) 13N21 (.040”) 13N22 (1/16”) 13N23 (3/32”) 13N24 (1/8”)	Holds the tungsten inside the collet body
Standard Collet Body	13N25 (.020”) 13N26 (.040”) 13N27 (1/16”) 13N28 (3/32”) 13N29 (1/8”)	Screws into the torch head and grips the collet
Gas Lens Body	45V41 (.020”) 45V42 (.040”) 45V43 (1/16”) 45V44 (3/32”) 45V45 (1/8”)	Improves gas flow (used instead of standard collet body)
Ceramic Cups for Standard Collet body	13N08 (#4 cup) 13N09 (#5 cup) 13N10 (#6 cup) 13N11 (#7 cup) 13N12 (#8 cup) 13N13 (#10 cup)	Threads onto torch to shield weld with argon
Ceramic cups for Gas lens body	53N58 (#4 cup) 53N59 (#5 cup) 53N60 (#6 cup) 53N61 (#7 cup) 53N61S (#8 cup)
Back Cap	41V24 (long), 41V35 (medium), 41V33 (short)	Seals back of torch and clamps tungsten
Torch Insulator	598882 or CK-2GHS	Sits behind the cup, insulates the head

Standard Collet Bodies for 9/20 TIG Torches

PART NAME	LEGACY PART #	CK part#	DESCRIPTION
9/20 COLLET BODY .020"	13N25 (.020”)	2CB20	Screws into the torch head and grips the collet
COLLET BODY .040"	13N26 (.040”)	2CB40	Screws into the torch head and grips the collet
COLLET BODY 1/16"	13N27 (1/16”)	2CB116	Screws into the torch head and grips the collet
COLLET BODY 3/32"	13N28 (3/32”)	2CB332	Screws into the torch head and grips the collet
9/20 COLLET BODY 1/8"	13N29 (1/8”)	2B418	Screws into the torch head and grips the collet

 

PART NAME	LEGACY PART #	CK part#	DESCRIPTION
Gas Lens Body (.020”)	45V41 (.020”)	2GL20	Improves gas flow (used instead of standard collet body)
Gas Lens Body (.040”)	45V42 (.040”)	2GL40	Improves gas flow (used instead of standard collet body)
Gas Lens Body (1/16”)	45V43 (1/16”)	2GL116	Improves gas flow (used instead of standard collet body)
Gas Lens Body (3/32”)	45V44 (3/32”)	2GL332	Improves gas flow (used instead of standard collet body)
Gas Lens Body (1/8”)	45V45 (1/8”)	2GL418	Improves gas flow (used instead of standard collet body)

 

Ceramic Cups for Standard Collet bodies 9/20 torches

PART NAME	LEGACY PART #	CK part#	DESCRIPTION
Ceramic #4 cup for Standard Collet body	13N08 (#4 cup)	2A4	standard collet body ceramic cup for 9/20 style tig torch
Ceramic #5 cup for Standard Collet body	13N09 (#5 cup)	2A5
Ceramic #6 cup for Standard Collet body	13N10 (#6 cup)	2A6
Ceramic #7 cup for Standard Collet body	13N11 (#7 cup)	2A7
Ceramic #8 cup for Standard Collet body	13N12 (#8 cup)	2A8
Ceramic #10 cup for Standard Collet body	13N13 (#10 cup)	2A10