I'll agree with Paul. I don't really consider collets and collet bodies as "consumables". I have been using a few for at least 20 years, with a few years of welding everyday, in that span. It comes down to how you take care of things. I've seen people that for them the whole torch is a consumable and they have gone through several in a couple of years.
However, cups, and tungstens do require replacement, although the TIG process is defines the tungsten as a non-consumable electrode, that just means it isn't melted into the weld puddle, at least not if you're doing it right. 
Grinding down tungstens will use them up eventually, and if dropped they can shatter. Cups are also brittle and can crack, but can also break down and even melt from extended use. As Paul mentioned, gas lens bodies are a little more delicate, so you might want to stick with standard collet bodies while you are first learning. Then you will know what to look for as far as metal cleanliness and quality and how it effects the welding process. Since you're on DC only for the moment, the big thing to watch out for is rust and mill scale. Keep those out of your weld and you won't get debris popping back into your torch. A few companies also make a nice stubby kit for your torch that will let you use the smaller hardware and cups. I've never been a fan of the 17 torch (always used a 20) and planned to replace the one that came with my 140ST. But after going to the stubby kit, I'm totally happy with it. More a matter of what I'm used to, but it does let me prop closer to the weld and lets my hand rest on the part or table more comfortably. It's not a huge difference, as you can see, but I like it much better.
Did you get the black round handled version, or the blue euro grip handle?
Last edited by Rambozo; 02-13-2013 at 05:53 AM.
Long arc, short arc, heliarc and in-the-dark!
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