Gas and regulator query

[future_jack]

Hi,
Firstly I understand the key used to open the cylinder is called a bottle key. Is this correct as I can't find anything on google.

Also,
If I put my ear up to the regulator when not welding you can hear it "letting off steam" but I don't think there are any leaks. Is this normal?

Thanks.

 

[whycanismellburning]

The thing you need is called a bottle spanner! Try this link

I have listned to my regulator and it makes no noise at all when not in use. Could be the gas solinoid is leaking!

 

[malcolm]

I call it a bottle key too. Try mixing some washing up liquid with water and brushing it around the top of the bottle and regulator - should be able to see where the gas is coming out. Be sure to key off the bottle when not in use if you have a leak.

 

[future_jack]

Also,
If I put my ear up to the regulator when not welding you can hear it "letting off steam" but I don't think there are any leaks. Is this normal?

Thanks.

Let me rephrase that actually it lets off a little air then stops and a few seconds later it might do it again etc. etc.

Just a small little release it seems.

 

[whycanismellburning]

Does the regulator work o.k when you are welding?

 

[future_jack]

Well when I open the knob on the regulator to use the welder it will shoot up to 10 or 20 litres (whatever I move it to) and stay there even when I'm not welding. The needle will fluctuate while welding.

The only way I know that the gas is coming out is when I initally press the button on the shroud handle I can hear a burst of gas coming through the shroud. After that it's just faith that it's coming out.

My welds don't look as bad as pictures posted up here recently where a guy was welding when he had ran out of gas though.

 

[Hitch]

I call them bottle keys, although you can get a spanner version. Shouldnt cost anymore than a couple of quid.

The regulator, Once you open the bottle, its normal for the regulator to make a noise, as its filling itself up.
Its normal to get an initial burst of gas when you first pull the trigger, then it drops down to what youve set it at. The needle will drop slightly when you are welding, its a good idea to set the pressure whist gas is flowing.

 

[Paul.]

Hi,
Firstly I understand the key used to open the cylinder is called a bottle key. Is this correct as I can't find anything on google.

Also,
If I put my ear up to the regulator when not welding you can hear it "letting off steam" but I don't think there are any leaks. Is this normal?

Thanks.

Ah. you should have googled cylinder key,
Dont what the rules are now but in my days of city and guilds exams, we we told that pop comes in bottles, and gas comes in cylinders, also you go fishing with rods and weld with electrodes,

 

[Hitch]

Piffle isnt it... like 'return cable' instead of earth

 

[Paul.]

Piffle isnt it... like 'return cable' instead of earth

I'm inclined to agree but it would cost you marks in the exams

 

[malcolm]

I'm inclined to agree but it would cost you marks in the exams

Catches you out when searching for them on the net too. Good to know the terminology. I had to go through spire nuts to find the "J" nuts I wanted this morning. Madness. Why don't they call them the clippy things for self tappers....

 

[scottylord]

The list is endless. . . 6" steel rule, not a ruler, as a ruler dictates. . everyone know what people mean!

I guess its what people prefer

 

[whycanismellburning]

In the army a 'gun' is what a man plays with and a wepon is what you shoot people with.

Hmmmm!

 

[future_jack]

Let me rephrase that actually it lets off a little air then stops and a few seconds later it might do it again etc. etc.

Just a small little release it seems.

So does anyone else's do this then? I don't have time to try the washing up liquid jobbie until the weekend.