Abstract: A welding torch (2) for use in gas metal arc welding, including a neck portion (4), a diffuser (6) at a first end (8) of the neck portion (4), a contact tip (10) which extends from the diffuser (6), and connector means (12) which is at a second end (14) of the neck portion (4) and which is for connecting the neck portion (4) to a power cable assembly; the neck portion (4) including an electrical conductor (16) and a longitudinally extending passageway (18); electrical current transfer from the electrical conductor (16) to the contact tip (10) being effected using first and second longitudinally separated contact areas (22, 24) on the contact tip (10); and the welding torch (2) including a gas chamber (30) which is positioned longitudinally between the two contact areas (22, 24) and radially between the contact tip (10) and the diffuser (6).

Abstract: A welding torch (2) for use in gas metal arc welding, which welding torch (2) comprises a neck portion (4), a diffuser (6) at a first end (8) of the neck portion (4), a contact tip (10) which extends from the diffuser (6), connector means (12) which is at a second end of the neck portion (4) and which is for connecting the neck portion (4) to a power cable assembly (16), and a trigger switch (114): the power cable assembly being such that it supplies electricity and gas to the welding torch (2) with the gas being for protecting welds from atmospheric contamination as the welds are made using the welding torch (2); the neck portion (4) being such that it comprises an electrical conductor (20) and a passageway (22) for the gas; the neck portion (4) being such that it comprises insulation (26) in the form of an overmoulding of a plastics material, the overmoulding being such that it also provides rigidity and impact strength to the neck portion (4); the trigger switch (114) being a snap fit in position in a sock