TIG Welding Accessory List

Are you looking to take your TIG welding skills to the next level?

Watch this quick TIG Tips Video about the Big Mistake a lot of folks make on aluminum.

And after that, some uses for different type TIG cups.

Having the right accessories can make a world of difference in the quality and efficiency of your welds. Here is a list of essential TIG welding accessories that every welder should have in their toolkit.

1. Tungsten Electrodes

Tungsten electrodes are a key component of TIG welding.  I prefer 2% lanthanated tungsten as an all purpose electrode for both DC and AC welding....and a 3/32" is a good size that will handle almost everything from razor blades on DC up to around 200 amps on AC.

But it is best to have some different electrode sizes on hand to suit different welding applications.

For example, if are doing a lot of thin stainless, a 1/16" tungsten is cheaper to buy and  easier to sharpen than larger tungsten.

But if you are welding lots of 3/16" and thicker aluminum, a 1/8" tungsten will hold up better than a 3/32" 

2. Gas Lens Kit

A gas lens is not necessary for every single TIG job. But it sure does help on most tig welding jobs.

A gas lens provides a more stable gas flow around the welding area, resulting in better shielding gas coverage while being able to use a longer electrode extension.

If you have a 17 style tig torch and are still using the standard cups that came with it, you are probably not getting the best results possible.  The very first upgrade I recommend is our stubby gas lens kit for 17/18/26 style torches.

Our stubby kit includes made in USA Furick gas lenses that have o ring grooves so that you can try clear cups without needing to buy additional hardware or adapters.

And Switching back and forth from clear cups to ceramic cups is super easy.

That means you can build on the kit selecting only the cups that suit your needs 

3. TIG Welding Gloves

Our weldmonger® TIG gloves are comfortable, durable and affordable. We tried many suppliers before selecting the one that was the best all around tig glove.

4. Welding Helmet

Ensure your safety by investing in a high-quality welding helmet that offers both eye protection and crisp visibility of the weld area. Auto-darkening helmets are a popular choice among TIG welders for their convenience and protection.

5. Filler Rods

The most used filler rods you will need are 

ER70S-2 OR ER70S-6 for carbon steels and 4130 chromoly

ER308L for 304 stainless

ER312 for joining carbon to stainless and for unknown steels

4043 for general purpose aluminum and castings

5356 for 5052  aluminum or whenever the part will be clear anodized after welding.

read blog post on filler metal selection here

6. Welding Clamps

Welding clamps are essential for holding the workpieces together securely during the welding process. They help to ensure precise alignment and prevent distortion or warping of the metal due to heat. Stronghand tools makes affordable high quality welding clamps

7. Wire Brush

Keep your work area clean and free of contaminants with a wire brush. make sure to use only dedicated stainless steel wire brushes on stainless steel. Do not go back and forth on carbon and stainless with the same brush

8. TIG Torch Consumables

You might need to occasionally replace consumable parts of your TIG torch, such as collets, collet bodies, and cups, to maintain optimal performance and gas coverage. Inspect these components regularly for wear and replace them as needed.

9. TIG Finger®

A tig finger® in your pocket is like having a prop in your pocket.. You wont need to wear it for every weld but when you need to prop right next to a hot weld when there is no convenient way to prop, you will be glad you have it.