body portion clamping means within the body portion for releasably gripping the electrode control means selectively movable between a first position in which the clamping means hold the electrode in an operative position and a second position in which the clamping means are released from the electrode and an ejector mechanism which with the control means in its second position can be actuated to move the electrode axially within the body portion application_number US 47527903 A description referring to fig1 there is shown a conventional tig welding torch comprising an elongate body portion 2 containing a gas lens 4 in which is formed an axial recess the forward end 6 of which is of generally tapering conical configuration a split collet 8 is housed within the recess the configuration of the split front end of the collet 8 conforming with that of the forward end 6 of the recess an elongate tungsten electrode 10 of circular cross section extends through the collet 8 with the front tip thereof projecting from the body portion 2 the torch is completed by a plug 12 which screws into the rear end of the body portion 2 and has a fully inserted operative position in which an end face 14 thereof engages the end of the collet 8 and pushes the collet 8 axially forwards within the body portion 2 such that the split front end thereof is urged into the forward end 6 of the recess whereby the collet.