11401104 - Tweco 14-45 Contact Tip .045 (25 Pack)

Technical Overview of the Tweco 14-45 Contact Tip

The Tweco 14-45 Contact Tip (Part Number 1140-1104) is a fundamental component in the electrical transfer mechanism of Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW). Designed as part of the widely utilized 14 Series, this contact tip is engineered to accommodate 0.045-inch (1.2mm) welding wire. The tip is manufactured from a high-grade copper alloy, selected specifically for its superior electrical conductivity and thermal dissipation properties. In MIG welding, the contact tip serves as the final point of electrical contact between the welding power source and the consumable electrode wire. Consequently, the material composition and dimensional precision of the tip are critical for maintaining a stable arc and preventing voltage drops that can lead to inconsistent weld quality.

Dimensionally, the 14-45 tip features a standard 1/4"-28 UNF thread, ensuring compatibility with a broad range of gas diffusers found in Tweco No. 2, No. 3, and No. 4 MIG guns, as well as the Spray Master series. The internal bore is precision-drilled to a nominal diameter slightly larger than the wire itself—typically around 0.054"—to allow for smooth wire feeding while maintaining sufficient electrical contact. This balance is crucial; a bore that is too tight causes friction and bird-nesting, while a bore that is too loose results in micro-arcing inside the tip, leading to premature wear and burn-back.

This specific SKU is the "Standard" duty version, distinguished from heavy-duty (14H) variants by its wall thickness and overall mass. It is optimized for general industrial applications where amperage loads are within the standard operating ranges of air-cooled torches. The tips are supplied in a package of 25, facilitating inventory management for fabrication shops that require consistent consumable replacement to maintain ISO-quality weld standards. Regular replacement of the contact tip is a preventative maintenance measure that safeguards against keyholing (ovalization of the bore) which can cause the arc to wander and reduce penetration accuracy.