Sorry about this guys but these are serious questions even if they are seriously dumb questions...
So my cheap-ass used SIP TIG welder arrived today (it will have to do until I find a decent used one at an acceptable price).
I've bought a cheap SWR regulator, SWR Y-connector, two flow gauges (the ones with a vertical tube and a 'floating' lump in em) connected it all up but all is not well.
1. Are the regulators a normal right hand thread? ie turn clockwise fully to close/turn-off gas supply?
2. Should I open the gas bottle valve fully? Ditto the regulator valve? Ditto the Y-connector valves?
3. When I get gas to the flow meter the lump thingy rises up a bit and then sinks back down to the bottom again. What is causing this? I expected the lump to stay put at a particular value.
4. When I get gas flowing I can hear a leak at the joint where the hose connects to the spigot on the rear of the welder. There is a standard crimp-style hose clamp on the end of the hose. What should I do about this?
5. Is the leak in 4. causing the 'falling lump' in 3. ?
6. What do you guys use on joint threads? PTFE tape??
I appreciate these are 'day-1' kinda questions but that's exactly where I'm at with this... any help appreciated!
So my cheap-ass used SIP TIG welder arrived today (it will have to do until I find a decent used one at an acceptable price).
I've bought a cheap SWR regulator, SWR Y-connector, two flow gauges (the ones with a vertical tube and a 'floating' lump in em) connected it all up but all is not well.
1. Are the regulators a normal right hand thread? ie turn clockwise fully to close/turn-off gas supply?
2. Should I open the gas bottle valve fully? Ditto the regulator valve? Ditto the Y-connector valves?
3. When I get gas to the flow meter the lump thingy rises up a bit and then sinks back down to the bottom again. What is causing this? I expected the lump to stay put at a particular value.
4. When I get gas flowing I can hear a leak at the joint where the hose connects to the spigot on the rear of the welder. There is a standard crimp-style hose clamp on the end of the hose. What should I do about this?
5. Is the leak in 4. causing the 'falling lump' in 3. ?
6. What do you guys use on joint threads? PTFE tape??
I appreciate these are 'day-1' kinda questions but that's exactly where I'm at with this... any help appreciated!