a welding system having a welding implement . the welding implement having a neck , a handle and a retaining nut for securing the neck to the handle . the neck being operable to convey electrode wire therethrough . the retaining nut being adapted for wrench - tightening to a threaded portion of the welding implement . an optional retaining nut operator . the optional retaining nut operator being adapted to secure to the retaining nut . the optional retaining nut operator being adapted for manual rotation to thread the retaining nut to the threaded portion of the welding implement . the optional retaining nut operator may be adapted to snap - fit onto the retaining nut . the optional retaining nut operator may comprise an electrically insulating material . the electrically insulating material may comprise a polymer .