79Z92 - ESAB HW-18 Collet Seat for 1/8 Inch Tungsten

Precision Engineering for Heavy-Duty TIG Welding

The ESAB 79Z92 Collet Seat is a critical consumable component designed specifically for the HW-18 series of water-cooled TIG torches. Engineered to exacting tolerances, this seat is sized to accommodate 1/8-inch (3.2mm) tungsten electrodes, a common size for medium-to-heavy amperage welding applications. In the Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) process, the collet seat performs a dual function: it acts as the mechanical resting point for the collet, ensuring the electrode is gripped securely when the back cap is tightened, and it serves as a primary interface for electrical current transfer from the torch body to the collet and subsequently to the tungsten.

Manufactured from high-grade conductive alloys, the 79Z92 ensures minimal electrical resistance, which is vital for preventing overheating within the torch head. Poor contact surfaces in generic or worn collet seats can lead to arcing inside the torch, unstable welding arcs, and premature failure of the collet itself. By utilizing genuine ESAB parts, operators ensure that the thermal and electrical properties of the torch assembly remain within factory specifications. This is particularly important for water-cooled systems like the HW-18, where efficient heat dissipation is required to maintain high duty cycles.

The geometry of the 79Z92 is machined to align perfectly with the gas lens or standard nozzle setup of the HW-18, promoting laminar gas flow coverage over the weld pool. Irregularities in the seat can cause turbulence in the shielding gas, leading to porosity or oxidation in the weld. Industrial MRO procurement specialists should recommend replacing the collet seat whenever significant wear, pitting, or deformation is observed during routine torch maintenance to avoid downtime and weld defects.

Compatibility is key in industrial environments. This part is directly compatible with legacy Heliarc HW-18 models as well as modern ESAB iterations of this heavy-duty torch platform. It integrates seamlessly with standard 1/8-inch collets, providing a reliable foundation for precision welding on materials such as aluminum, stainless steel, and mild steel.