Another tip is using a nozzle flow meter (only used them for tig, I would imagine it could work for mig). I had a random issue with gas coverage with my tig welder. No leaks were found anywhere. I knew something wasn’t right. I put a flow meter on the nozzle and was getting 4-5 cfh lower flow than at the he regulator. I ended up using leak detector on the whole tig torch hose and found some pindot leaks in jt. Once I patched them up everything was working much better. Leaks can be a bastard to find and fix sometimes. Also for a bonus point, I often shut the cylinder off and then check in the morning to see if the gauge moved. That’s a real good indication of leaks 👍🏻.
Make sure you open the valve on the bottle all the way. It seals at the full open and full closed position. Not opening it all the way can allow gas to leak by the stem
A couple days to late for me, the other day I used 550 PSI from my 125 Cu ft bottle in one 30 min session. I didn't realize my flow was set so high, and my regulator frosted over because of how much gas I was pulling through it.
For those crappy hose clamp/crimped connections on the rubber hose to the regulator, I’ve found that putting a TINY amount of loctite 515 or any other o-ring sealant works for those pesky leaks you can’t chase away. Of course let it cure for 24 hours before welding so the VOCs in the loctite off-gas and don’t end up in the weld.
The biggest thing i have noticed is the leak at the bottle valve. Every single bottle. I use soapy water,and the nut has to be very tight. Dont assume its tight enough, check and tighten as necessary.
New. And with all three welders i have owned . I merely pointed out the fact they all leak. And you cant assume they dont leak. The fact is you can assume they do leak. Due dilligence.
To save gas and money just don't use built-in flow meters of any kind - they inherently leek more pressure while in pause which gives you gas surges. Double stage pressure regulators for compressed gases, so you don't have to correct it all the time. All those "optimizers/economiser" are effectively the second stages anyway but you cannot regulate them (mostly), and they distort flow meter readings. Single stage regulators for liquid gases will give constant flow while there is a liquid phase in the cylinder. And external flow meter for the torch nozzle. Or you can put solenoid right after the regulator to eliminate gas surges.
I've been a big ol' dumb-o and left cylinders on, but connected to the welder, and come back after a while of not welding to find an empty cylinder. Even though I would leak test, it must have had some micro leak that bled gas. Just add it to the list of why you should never leave gas on if you're not welding.
@Wroger Wroger do you happen to have a manufacturer or authority reference to that statement. I always hear guys say that, but never say where they got it from.
Like everything else that can leak, I use super mild soap like washing detergent and water... Used dish soap before, but I believe it's a little harsh if you don't clean it off of the brass well. Or you can buy what he's using.
@weld.com How about a more indepth video on mig solid wire with 100 percent co2, and minimizing spatter and hitting the sweet spot? Im aware Bob has already done one, but i would like one thats more indepth, and includes running thicker gauge material as well as thin. Keep up the great videos.
I know this is a 4 year old comment, but if you haven't already solved your bib issue by now, Lowe's has them for $16. Price may be different in your area. It just presses onto the bottom lip. Mine has stayed in place for about 3-4 months now, and hasn't came loose at all. Or another option is finding a cheap one on Amazon if cost is a factor.
So I think I tightened the hose fitting into the back of my machine too much because it wouldn't get tight(haven't set up gas before). And was wondering if anyone could tell me if that could have loosened it from the inside and caused a leak ?
My brand new flow meter leaks, it has niks on the threads and they are so tiny and small but make all the difference, I am going to be getting a HARRIS meter because the one that came with my machine was cheaped out and leaked out the box.
Best reference I could come up with is someone adjusting the flow as I weld a few beads. Do it in steps to find the sweet spot. Every welder and machine are different so finding the right flow depends on so much, this way I could get effective coverage and saved about 1/3 of the gas I was using. Note results on the side of the machine with paint stick :-)
There is a chart and most cup sizes come with cfn charts and tungsten stick out on the box recommended. If you're doing lift or scratch just adjust it on the stinger valve and gauge valve running 45cfm.
I always tell all the numnuts to turn the gas valve off when done using the machine, doesn’t happen all the time, even after writing “turn gas off” with yellow paint marker on a bright blue machine! All over it.
for me the biggest deference was my regulator. the first bottle I ran with a normal migatronic regulator the second one I ran with a alga optimator like the purge regulator just al in one. I think it saves between 40-50%
So what’s happening here? Are you the low guy on the totem pole, so you have to go in with the camera guy, and everyone else gets to wait it out at home?
I missed that poll. If I still can vote, then I'd prefer some ladies, please. Ladies doing their thing with 416 stainless. The exact process will be up to ladies.
No bad to anyone intended but constructive thought here ... why on earth do both the guy with the red beard and this fellow insist on talking soooo fast ?? Three Venti size coffees, possibly taken with a laxative prior to shooting their videos ... just don't know. You guys run and blend over your words at the ends of sentences much like that 80's thing with valley girls talk. Possibly now a 20-30's something called valley boy talk ... just don't know. Slow the F%^$ down. Pause and deliver. This is what a professional instructor's mantra is. Audio continuity of presentation and delivery means degree of comprehension for the listener. Your mimicking some of the speed channel's make believe deadline car shows. Machine gun delivery, dilution of topic for speed etc. Make another video if you have to but please slow down.
For the people that have asked about the leak detector, you can get it on Amazon: amzn.to/3bzS3uH
Another tip is using a nozzle flow meter (only used them for tig, I would imagine it could work for mig). I had a random issue with gas coverage with my tig welder. No leaks were found anywhere. I knew something wasn’t right. I put a flow meter on the nozzle and was getting 4-5 cfh lower flow than at the he regulator. I ended up using leak detector on the whole tig torch hose and found some pindot leaks in jt. Once I patched them up everything was working much better. Leaks can be a bastard to find and fix sometimes.
Also for a bonus point, I often shut the cylinder off and then check in the morning to see if the gauge moved. That’s a real good indication of leaks 👍🏻.
Should u always bleed the gas from the line when tearing things down
Make sure you open the valve on the bottle all the way. It seals at the full open and full closed position. Not opening it all the way can allow gas to leak by the stem
you can save more gas doing stick welding ;)
There's always that guy.
I agree!!! Right on bro!!!!
@@MR-nl8xr hah, im only teasing dont get your wires twisted up
@Wroger Wroger xD
how to: never run out of gas
weld stick.
Great tips, also turn the bottle off when it is not in use.
A couple days to late for me, the other day I used 550 PSI from my 125 Cu ft bottle in one 30 min session. I didn't realize my flow was set so high, and my regulator frosted over because of how much gas I was pulling through it.
For those crappy hose clamp/crimped connections on the rubber hose to the regulator, I’ve found that putting a TINY amount of loctite 515 or any other o-ring sealant works for those pesky leaks you can’t chase away. Of course let it cure for 24 hours before welding so the VOCs in the loctite off-gas and don’t end up in the weld.
The biggest thing i have noticed is the leak at the bottle valve. Every single bottle. I use soapy water,and the nut has to be very tight. Dont assume its tight enough, check and tighten as necessary.
Replace the bottle connector stub on your regulator (yes you can buy them separately).
When they wear out, they require more and more torque to seal.
New. And with all three welders i have owned . I merely pointed out the fact they all leak. And you cant assume they dont leak. The fact is you can assume they do leak. Due dilligence.
Tip #5, Always close off your tank valve when not in use for a while and never depend on the machine's solenoid to keep a 100% gas tight seal.
Also the solenoid can cause underpressure I've found lol
Love direct connections for that reason
To save gas and money just don't use built-in flow meters of any kind - they inherently leek more pressure while in pause which gives you gas surges.
Double stage pressure regulators for compressed gases, so you don't have to correct it all the time. All those "optimizers/economiser" are effectively the second stages anyway but you cannot regulate them (mostly), and they distort flow meter readings.
Single stage regulators for liquid gases will give constant flow while there is a liquid phase in the cylinder.
And external flow meter for the torch nozzle.
Or you can put solenoid right after the regulator to eliminate gas surges.
Great Easy Tips !!
Cheers from Down Under .
Stay Safe !!
Michael Shaw thanks
I've been a big ol' dumb-o and left cylinders on, but connected to the welder, and come back after a while of not welding to find an empty cylinder. Even though I would leak test, it must have had some micro leak that bled gas. Just add it to the list of why you should never leave gas on if you're not welding.
Hard on the solenoids too I bet being pressurized 24/7..
@Wroger Wroger do you happen to have a manufacturer or authority reference to that statement.
I always hear guys say that, but never say where they got it from.
Good job man. Great tips.
Thanks
ManCub Welder Great video man cub I look forward to seeing you more on these videos
Mike, one of you best videos. Good stuff. Good counsel. Talk about makin' Uncle Bob proud! Rock on!
What do you use for seeing or hearing gas leak
Like everything else that can leak, I use super mild soap like washing detergent and water... Used dish soap before, but I believe it's a little harsh if you don't clean it off of the brass well.
Or you can buy what he's using.
We were using Cangtesco Formula 300 Leak Detector in this video: amzn.to/3bzS3uH
Hello. I have the regulator with floating ball. Do I need to remove the regulator after I'm finished welding for time being?
Great video, on e point you missed
Use double stage regulator to utilize the most gas in the cylinder
Excellent video, thank you.
For us in the metric world do you think you could also quote the flow in Litres per hour as well.
Liters per minute
Good job
Good job Cub!
Hows bob been
Good. He was on our live stream last Friday. Go give it a watch.
Same question (saving gas) but for TIG.
We can cover that one as well.
Weld.com Please do a video on using Gas Lenses for Tig vs collets and if you can use less gas and get same results with gas lenses
@weld.com How about a more indepth video on mig solid wire with 100 percent co2, and minimizing spatter and hitting the sweet spot? Im aware Bob has already done one, but i would like one thats more indepth, and includes running thicker gauge material as well as thin. Keep up the great videos.
Nice video!
Good job Cub. 🤘🔥
Thanks you Sir,
Is a Needle scalier good for weld stress re-leaf.
Thanks for all the videos 😊. How would you make a welding mask bib?
I know this is a 4 year old comment, but if you haven't already solved your bib issue by now, Lowe's has them for $16. Price may be different in your area. It just presses onto the bottom lip. Mine has stayed in place for about 3-4 months now, and hasn't came loose at all. Or another option is finding a cheap one on Amazon if cost is a factor.
What is a good ball gauge to but. I need both of them to get started. If I can get them online I can get started with my new tig welder
Sparcwelders.com
So I think I tightened the hose fitting into the back of my machine too much because it wouldn't get tight(haven't set up gas before). And was wondering if anyone could tell me if that could have loosened it from the inside and caused a leak ?
Can you give me a link to but on amazon or eBay for the gas leak detector please
Soapy water work.
amzn.to/3bzS3uH
Dish soap and water in a spray bottle, Cheap as chips.
Is Bob coming back?
He was on Fridays episode. Hopefully he will be back in the lab doing more content soon.
My brand new flow meter leaks, it has niks on the threads and they are so tiny and small but make all the difference, I am going to be getting a HARRIS meter because the one that came with my machine was cheaped out and leaked out the box.
Yay!
What happens if you weld with argon and co2 and your regular is leak?
Then you have to spend extra money refilling your co2 and argon. It's like a leak in the gas tank on your car.
Surprising you didn't mention laying off the refried beans..
Gas is so expensive in my area. I will do anything to save some gas with my Everlast welders.
Is there a good reference chart for TIG gas and what factors to decrease gas usage?
Best reference I could come up with is someone adjusting the flow as I weld a few beads. Do it in steps to find the sweet spot. Every welder and machine are different so finding the right flow depends on so much, this way I could get effective coverage and saved about 1/3 of the gas I was using. Note results on the side of the machine with paint stick :-)
There is a chart and most cup sizes come with cfn charts and tungsten stick out on the box recommended. If you're doing lift or scratch just adjust it on the stinger valve and gauge valve running 45cfm.
we run 20 in hawaii...$400 for 125 cube cylinder argon no mix
What is the leak detector you used?
Soapy water works.
amzn.to/3bzS3uH
Be safe wash your hands after every weld
and wash your welds too
Subscribed 🤞🏼
ОК!
Where’s bob? Any updates?
Soapy watar works
I think I speak for most subs here...we'd all like to see Bob Moffatt & Paul here again.
👍👍
you had to start with how long cylinder should actually last
I wish i was at home!!!
How to do work without a power source but still be able to weld
what?
Where is Bob!!???
I always tell all the numnuts to turn the gas valve off when done using the machine, doesn’t happen all the time, even after writing “turn gas off” with yellow paint marker on a bright blue machine! All over it.
no nozzle flux core gang
for me the biggest deference was my regulator. the first bottle I ran with a normal migatronic regulator the second one I ran with a alga optimator like the purge regulator just al in one. I think it saves between 40-50%
Great video but lose the hillbilly music.
Hillbilly music for me!
Bring Bob back.
You can save on gas by not eating Taco Bell!
*Wanna save gas don't use anything else other than SMAW!*
So what’s happening here? Are you the low guy on the totem pole, so you have to go in with the camera guy, and everyone else gets to wait it out at home?
I missed that poll. If I still can vote, then I'd prefer some ladies, please. Ladies doing their thing with 416 stainless. The exact process will be up to ladies.
first
my welder is super fancy, it uploads all the settings, into my head, and the I forget them...
No bad to anyone intended but constructive thought here ... why on earth do both the guy with the red beard and this fellow insist on talking soooo fast ?? Three Venti size coffees, possibly taken with a laxative prior to shooting their videos ... just don't know. You guys run and blend over your words at the ends of sentences much like that 80's thing with valley girls talk. Possibly now a 20-30's something called valley boy talk ... just don't know. Slow the F%^$ down. Pause and deliver. This is what a professional instructor's mantra is. Audio continuity of presentation and delivery means degree of comprehension for the listener. Your mimicking some of the speed channel's make believe deadline car shows. Machine gun delivery, dilution of topic for speed etc. Make another video if you have to but please slow down.
I love Weld.com...but this gay ...OMG please dont :) ..