Best torch cup size for small TIG work?

• A. #9-#12
• B. #5-#7
• C. #1-#2
• D. #3-#4

Answer: (B)

For small TIG work, you want a cup that balances shielding gas coverage with clear visibility and easy access to tight spots. A middle-sized cup provides enough gas around the arc to keep porosity risk low while still letting you see the weld and reach narrow joints without the cup getting in the way. Very small cups can limit shielding and may be harder to keep stable at even modest currents, which isn’t ideal for small but precise welds. Very large cups improve gas coverage but crowd the torch and obscure the view, making it harder to place the electrode precisely on small work. So the mid-range cup is the best fit for small TIG projects.