Gas fittings - which way round would you put them...

[stef1]

Morning all,

I am in the process of designing a welding trolley for my MTS210 and my plasma cutter. I have pretty much got it sorted for what I want it to look like.
I am going for storage for 2 ret free type gas cylinders. One mixed argon/c02 and one argon for tig welding.

I have regulators for each bottle, which will stay on there until the Bottle needs replacing. So what I plan to do is use quick release couplings like fitting on my MTS210 so I can easily switch between gas without messing around with spanners and threaded connections.

I am going to weld a small bit of plate to mount my quick release coupling to but I'm wondering if the quick release couplings should be attached to the hoses from the regulators or use one fitted to the welders hose. I know it probably doesn't really matter as the gas valve will be shut for changing over anyway but just wanted the opinion of you guys first.
I'm thinking of just fitting one coupling to the welders hose and 2 hose tail connectors to the regulators, that way it means the regulator isn't attached to my trolley

 

[Windy Miller]

You need it so that the 'open' part of the fitting is connected to the welder, and the 'sealed' part is on the bottle. That way you won't lose any gas if you forget to turn it off.

That's how it comes 'out of the box' on my esab caddy anyhow. The same way as you'd do it with air lines on the compressor.

 

[rikrobson]

the way you plan sounds right. but i thought the whole point of the quick release system is so that you don't need to turn off the gas when changing.

 

[stef1]

Thanks for the quick replies guys,

How you suggest it is how I would have done it with anything else but if I connect my regulator to the quick release coupling then it will effectively be attached to my trolley - no great deal I guess providing they are only removed to change the bottles.

I will go for that then.

Thanks

 

[voipio]

How about this sort of thing? Could be ideal for the job.

http://www.smcusa.com/top-navigation/cad-models.aspx/38466

 

[AndyStobbs]

use hydraulic fittings instead. Both male and female seal on those. Think they make them down to 1/8bsp

 

[awemawson]

Yes they do - I fitted them to the hydraulic power supply of my die sinker EDM machine

 

[stef1]

Cheers guys, I already have these fittings so I'm just looking to use them up