Can I Use propane hose for Shielding Gas?

[blacksmithstris]

Turned on welder today, haven't used it in a while, and heard that horrible hissing sound... hose has expired, and needs replacing. I have spare propane hose hanging around, is there an issue if I use this? It seems to be the same size as the existing hose.

I am aware you shouldn't interchange different fuel gas hoses (acetylene) but am unsure whether there would be anything wrong with using propane hose with my shielding gas, Argoshield Light.

Any advice gratefully received thanks, I had a search and couldn't seem to find anything in the forums already.

Colleen

 

[Sean]

as its an "Inert" gas it should be fine - only after the regulator /low pressure side though.

 

[blacksmithstris]

Yes, the hose just from the regulator to the gas inlet inside the welder. Ok, I thought it would be ok... always good to check tho

 

[scotty-stoke]

at first glance I thought I read can I use propane as a shielding gas lmao

 

[the snooper]

at first glance I thought I read can I use propane as a shielding gas lmao

 

[blacksmithstris]

hehehe, now that would make for interesting welding!

 

[brightspark]

hehehe, now that would make for interesting welding!

yea pull the trigger and u have a self igniting blowtortch , scratch start QUCK GET A PATENT ON IT

 

[AndyStobbs]

I wonder how it would weld, the propane burning would tend to consume some (how much?) of the oxygen present, water vapour would be a problem of course, but would be dead interesting as co2 would be evolved in the process so could that shield the weld to some extent.

 

[backpurge]

I wonder how it would weld, the propane burning would tend to consume some (how much?) of the oxygen present, water vapour would be a problem of course, but would be dead interesting as co2 would be evolved in the process so could that shield the weld to some extent.

Classic

 

[Cyberprog]

And it would heat the material too.

 

[AndyStobbs]

Classic

So you don't know for certain yourself then?

 

[backpurge]

So you don't know for certain yourself then?

Put it this way, I'd rather let someone else have a go at it first

 

[AndyStobbs]

Oh yeah, I'm not planning on trying it. Nor am I thinking it would be any kind of advantage, heat input would be negligible next to the electric arc. I'm just interested at a theoretical chemistry level. Like would the co2 shield the weld, anyone on here an expert in flame composition?

 

[backpurge]

Heat input would be far less than with Ar/CO2 due to ionisation levels, there would be no shielding effect at all, steel would suffer from H2 cracking due to introduction of hydrocarbons, you wouldn't be able to see what you were doing due to flame plus you would probably loose your eyebrows, apart from that I think it could be a goer

 

[the snooper]

apart from anything else I would think it would trash the torch due to burning inside the shroud

 

[backpurge]

apart from anything else I would think it would trash the torch due to burning inside the shroud

Depends on the flow rate but your probably dead right

 

[Robotstar5]

Well if it didn't weld, you try it as a paint stripper?

 

[backpurge]

Well if it didn't weld, you try it as a paint stripper?