[Poland308]

You can try to clean it. But wheather it’s worth it or not depends on the value of your time.

[LtBadd]

The pic makes it look like it's about 100% blocked, you can try to blow compressed air thru from the collet side, or sometimes with a small sharp point you can pry up and remove the very top layer (screen). The gas lens as is, is junk, so you've nothing to loose

[Grounded1]

Cheers. I'd hate to be the guy who mentions a year from now how many parts i've tossed because they've "outlived their usefulness" and be told..."uh, it's cleanable and reusable."

[cj737]

That looks to be a CK-type gas lens. Not "cleanable" or "rebuildable" in my experience. Worth driving a small nail into the wall and hanging that on it as a reminder to yourself for years to come.

Gas lenses are "consumables". Buy a 4 pack in 3/32 and 1/8. You'll need them. You might also increase your CFH from 10 to 15-18. And try some of the shorter, stubby cups. I find them easier for new welders to "manipulate" since their hand is closer to the surface then those "Yardstick cups".

Full disclosure: I have blasted perfectly ground tungstens in absolutely new lenses on more than 1 occasion. All set up to do some quality work that requires high amps, and the appearance/weld matters. Set my box up, fresh clean gloves, everything wiped down. Stomp the pedal blasting out 180 amps and WHAMMO! No gas. FCXUK! Tungsten explodes, gas lens looks like a road in Beirut, collet warped, material damaged.

So it will happen to you because it does happen to everyone at some point. Buy spares.

[Grounded1]

Aye aye

Re-titled thread so maybe it helps frustrated newbies like myself to more quickly find solutions to a specific problem