Methods of making and assembling together components of plasma torch electrode

A method of making and assembling together components of a plasma torch electrode, the components including a main body made of a first electrically conductive material, an emitter made of a second electrically conductive material, an emitter holder made of a third electrically conductive material, the method comprising:

• in an oxygen-free environment, machining an outer surface of the emitter to produce a first oxide-free outer surface;
• in the oxygen-free environment machining an opening into the emitter holder that is configured to receive the emitter and machining an outer surface of the emitter holder to produce a second oxide-free outer surface, the opening of the emitter holder being bound by an oxide-free inner surface of the emitter holder;
• in the oxygen-free environment, machining an opening in a distal end of the main body that is configured to receive the emitter holder, the opening being bound by an oxide-free inner surface of the main body;
• in the oxygen-free environment, securing the emitter inside the opening of the emitter holder such that the first oxide-free outer surface is secured to the oxide-free inner surface of the emitter holder, and securing the emitter holder inside the opening of the main body such that the second oxide-free outer surface is secured to the oxide-free inner surface of the main body.