Clarke torch gas leak problem

[manchester_mike]

does anyone know if i can buy the square metal switch that sits inside my clarke welding torch? i have a gas leak on mine, every time i turn up the gas i can hear it coming out of the torch. will this need replacing or is there anything i can do to stop this and if it does need replacing, how much will it cost?

also is there anything i can do to generally service my mig that wont cost me the earth? its a 100amp non-turbo clarke.

 

[shenion]

PM weldequip, he has the parts.

IIRC, the valve is not serviceable as it its stamped together.

 

[rtbcomp]

does anyone know if i can buy the square metal switch that sits inside my clarke welding torch? i have a gas leak on mine, every time i turn up the gas i can hear it coming out of the torch. will this need replacing or is there anything i can do to stop this and if it does need replacing, how much will it cost?

Mine did that, but a few vigorous operations of the trigger cleared it.

Otherwise Weldequip's your man.

 

[bawjaws]

my euro torch solenoid valve does that too but only if its over about 8lpm so i simply just turn it down till it stops, but if you dont have enough gas flow afterwords then you will need a new valve from weldequip, and to service your machine you just gennerally put a new tip, shroud and liner in the torch and give it a quick spray of the compressor on the inside to remove any dust

 

[malcolm]

It's a surprisingly common problem. My old torch lived on with that problem for years - I found tapping it against the floor would shut the valve off. I think new valves are £20 ish and easy to swap.

 

[manchester_mike]

thanks all, i've given it a few bangs on the bench and a good squirt of WD40 and it seems to have helped as now its only leaks when the gas is on high. i'm going to persevere with it because as its not my machine, i'm reluctant to spend money on it.

i'm used to using big professional lincon fully automatic migs cos thats what we had at my old work but going back to a hobby mig....massive difference. i've been considereing buying a decent set. what could i get for around the £200 mark. am i going to get much of a difference over the borrowed clarke.

cheers all

 

[malcolm]

£200 will just about buy another Clarke. The nice machines seem to start at about £500. Well worth it though - much smoother and more forgiving to use. Secondhand murex or similar on eBay is worth a shot - though the machines will often need a good torch service to get working nicely.

 

[plltd]

Brass block repair

Same problem of gas leak from the brass block on my Clarke Hobby 130. I have ordered a new one so thought I may as well have a look. Put socket in vice, put block over it with circular blank free to come out, placed piece of soft alloy over the button and one swift wack with small hammer. Result was that the valve came out of the back of the block, I changed a broken O ring for a size 03, reassembeld and again tap with hammer to put back the blanking plug. Result fully working welder with no leaks. Anyone want to buy a brand new block, still in post coming here?