Often used in refineries and large industrial plants, a jumbo TIG torch is the off-road 4x4 of TIG welding. I'll go over the pros and cons of a jumbo setup and show the parts needed to convert your TIG torch into one.
What is a Jumbo TIG Torch?
A jumbo TIG torch is an air-cooled torch that uses a large diameter gas lens and cup. It's the opposite of a stubby TIG torch (the two are often used in different environments).
Why use a Jumbo TIG Torch?
The jumbo parts are large, strong, and relatively cheap, making the jumbo torch a good choice for rough environments.
| Pros | Cons |
| Great Gas Coverage | Heavy |
| Durable | Large |
| Inexpensive | Uncomfortable for heavy free hand use |
| Good for walking the cup | Potentially inefficient gas use |
| Good for rapid tacking in the field | Might not fit tight spots |
The large-diameter gas lens on a jumbo torch provides good gas coverage in environments that often have air movement that might otherwise disrupt argon coverage of a weld, such as in refineries or TIG welding outdoors.
Jumbo TIG Torch Parts
To convert your standard number 17 or number 26 air-cooled TIG torch into a jumbo setup, you need three parts. A large diameter gas lens (jumbo gas lens), a large gas TIG cup (jumbo TIG cup), and either a jumbo insulator or a jumbo adapter (as shown below).
Jumbo Gas Lens
A large diameter gas lens that threads onto number 17 and 26 TIG torches.
Jumbo TIG Cup
Jumbo cups are large gas lens cups. You can tell a gas lens cup from the shape curving into the opening. Below is a jumbo gas TIG cup versus a stubby gas TIG cup. Both are a size 8 (the size of opening where gas comes out).
Jumbo Insulator Adapter
The standard insulator on a 17 torch leaves a gap when you put on a jumbo lens and cup, as you can see below.
The jumbo cup screws onto the jumbo gas lens. Because the setup is slightly larger, you need to either get a new larger insulator, or an adapter that seats between the stock insulator and cup, to get a nice seal.