Yep, i've pressure tested the whole torch and covered the whole thing in leak detector and theres not even a hint of a leakNot sure if its been mentioned yet... Have you got an o ring on the torch backcap?
Out of idle curiosity, I decided to hook up my 5% MIG gas to see how it compares to the "Pure Argon" i have.
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As expected, its much worse. So i think its a case of slight contamination of the pure argon rather than a gas mix inside the cylinder. Instant tungsten contamination on this one.
Oh so do you did, sorry I somehow completely missed that post.I did mention that lol
Yes, I have been over every inch of hose and fittings between the neck of the cylinder and the tip of the torch with leak detector, including inside the machine. It's not a leak anywhere. It was my first troubleshooting step, i've spent hours on this so far. Also with the gas cylinder shut off, the secondary side of the regulator never drops even after a week so there are definately no leaks between the cylinder and the solenoid, and like i've said, i've tested the torch and hose too.Have you checked it's not the gas hose from welder to torch? They can get porous or crack with age.
Any way you can do a "leak down" test - maybe put a pressure gauge (even a U-bend of clear pipe, filled with water would do) on the gas hose or the welder's pipe spigot feeding the torch, flick the trigger so some gas escapes, watch to see whether the level drops - the leak could be upstream of torch and hoses, inside the machine itself.
he did a gas cover test and it was manky too ... it was on a fresh lump of metal.What's the base metal...not piece of cast ali?
My ali welds aren't brilliant. 30-40% cleaning cycle. But that looks like carbon? (soot) Contaminated hose? Bad gas (oil lube compressor)he did a gas cover test and it was manky too ... it was on a fresh lump of metal.
Leak detector spray will only work with a positive pressure in the system under test. Unless you've closed off the torch end somehow, there won't be enough pressure in the pipework for it to 'show' but if there is a leak, it will act as a venturi and draw air in quite happily.Yes, I have been over every inch of hose and fittings between the neck of the cylinder and the tip of the torch with leak detector, including inside the machine. It's not a leak anywhere. It was my first troubleshooting step, i've spent hours on this so far. Also with the gas cylinder shut off, the secondary side of the regulator never drops even after a week so there are definately no leaks between the cylinder and the solenoid, and like i've said, i've tested the torch and hose too.
The only gas supplier I trust is boc, I've had too many bad bottles, Infact I have one lying out the back now.
i knowLeak detector spray will only work with a positive pressure in the system under test. Unless you've closed off the torch end somehow, there won't be enough pressure in the pipework for it to 'show' but if there is a leak, it will act as a venturi and draw air in quite happily.
i'm 99.999 percent sure its not any of the gas or torch equipment, everything has been degreased/cleaned and dried out, i've tried a different regulator, i've tried the new hose off my mig, after purging a bunch of argon through it, i've pressure tested the torch and hose assembly by blocking off the shroud and filling it was gas and spraying everything down with leak detector, including the hose and solenoid inside the welder, there is not a hint of any bubble when under pressure so I just can't see there being any air getting drawn in anywhere. I'm going to pick up another cylinder tomorrow from a different supplier and we will go from there.
I thought the anti R Teck would have to be mentioned. It is a Chinese inverter like most of them now .don't take this the wrong way, but it is an rtech... they are known for sometimes having problems (which are fixed due to their famous customer service)
... it could still be some internal hardware, or a contaminated hose...
but yes at this stage it's definitely worth trying a different gas cylinder.
maybe a peek inside the lid for loose hose joints on solenoid , after the options weve all gone through on this thread , and the effort put in , its gone long past the sly dig thing , I think we are all curious now to find the issue and see the resolution.I thought the anti R Teck would have to be mentioned. It is a Chinese inverter like most of them now .
I fail how to see how your comment could not taken the Wrong way.
The lad is asking for our help . Not a sly dig at R Tech .
I think he has soap tested all the internal bits and the gas valvemaybe a peek inside the lid for loose hose joints on solenoid , after the options weve all gone through on this thread , and the effort put in , its gone long past the sly dig thing , I think we are all curious now to find the issue and see the resolution.
lol ,,, ive lost track of whats been tried now ,,, not much left to tryI think he has soap tested all the internal bits and the gas valve