CONTACT TIP, GAS DIFFUSER, AND NOZZLE FOR WELDING TORCH

In certain embodiments, a welding contact tip includes a first axial end portion having a welding wire outlet of an internal bore of the welding contact tip. The welding contact tip also includes a threaded middle portion adjacent the first axial end portion. The threaded middle portion includes external threads configured to mate with internal threads of a gas diffuser of a welding torch. The first axial end portion includes a tapered outer surface adjacent the threaded middle portion. In other embodiments, a welding torch assembly includes a gas diffuser having an outer circumferential groove having an outer surface with first and second walls that extend radially outward from first and second opposite axial sides of the outer surface, a nozzle having an inner circumferential rib with a tapered inner surface, and a compressible member disposed within the outer circumferential groove of the gas diffuser and the inner circumferential rib of the nozzle.