Gas not coming out

[MGman1980]

Hi,
I’m using my clarkeweld mig 145 turbo in “gas mode” but there doesn’t seem to be any gas flow from my disposable canister. I put the regulator on but can hear no sound or evidence of gas flow. Apart from screwing it onto the canister and turning the knob, am I missing something. I tried same reg on another new canister with same result. Sounds obvious but do I need a new regulator. Incidentally, should you’ve able to press on the canister valve (a bit like on a car tire valve) to see if the gas comes out? I tried this but the needle in the valve didn’t seem to want to move at all. Any help greatly appreciated

 

[qwakers]

throw that away and buy a proper bottle. that will give you about 30 seconds weld time.

 

[RWD3M]

I suspect that gas bottle is empty.

As @qwakers says, throw it away and get a proper bottle otherwise you really are on a hiding to nothing.

Hobbyweld, Adams Gas, plenty of options.

 

[voipio]

I'm not familiar with that particular type of regulator. Do you have a link to it?

If the cylinder is fresh, the gas pressure in it could be 60 Bar, or even 120 Bar, which could make it quite difficult to depress the valve in the cylinder. Pressing the cylinder valve in is not recommended, as gas escaping at those sorts of pressure, could cause quite serious injury, or surprise, at the very least. Once the regulator is screwed on, what happens if the knob on the top of the regulator is rotated (probably clockwise)?

 

[dave h 2]

Gas pressure is in fact around 500psi it's not a push bike tyre.
Some welders need to be switched on pass gas, others have a finger powered gas valve on the torch trigger.
It helps to have regulator with a gauge or flow meter on it.

 

[Misterg]

Apart from screwing it onto the canister and turning the knob, am I missing something.

Are you stopping turning the knob when you first feel resistance? If so, try turning it further. The first bit of resistance you feel is the pin in the regulator touching the pin in the bottle - you need to turn it further to get the gas to flow.

Beware that there won't be much in it!

 

[Jack_K]

I assume you tried adjusting the regulator. I would expect to hear gas leaking while you connect and disconnect the regulator.

 

[Alan Reynolds]

The new one could well be empty too! They are notorious for leaking, especially if you’ve used it and then take the regulator out again.
As others have said, bite the bullet and go to somewhere like Hobbyweld and hire a cylinder.
I did it recently and although I had to buy a regulator and the first hire of the bottle, it was the best £175 I’ve spent.
It was easy and the staff were really helpful with advice.
You can get advice on gas mixes and wire. I don’t think you’ll regret it as the convenience of being sure you actually have gas when you want it is great. Just remember to shut the gas off hard after use!
I have disposables in my shed and I’ll lay odds the new ones WILL be empty. Terrible things.

 

[bourbon]

That looks like an older Clarke regulator. The new ones are different. You will be surprised to know. I normally advise people to go for Hobbyweld or some other rent free option, as the little bottles won't give you a decent amount of welding time.

 

[RonMig]

You can weigh the bottle to check whether it's empty...

e.g. the SIP website says a 390g bottle is 1.00kg gross weight, 0.40kg net weight

 

[minimutly]

Bin the little bottle, that way lies frustration and buggery..

 

[Agautosport]

Bin that disposable thing and get a proper cylinder, preferably from a SGS Gases distributor! LOL.
Alan
SGS Gases Ltd