dirty welds

[yarpap]

Morning all, been tig welding stainless for too many years to remember,no expert but I do ok..any way Ive been repairing some food grade bins for a customer and my set has started spitting and switching off,I checked the conections.sharpened tungsten changed cup all no diferent, run a bead on some new 316 plate and just the same,I give up as i am making more mess than i am repairing,so needing a new w size cylinder I thought sod it I will take them both back.whilst disconecting the reg i found it soaked with condensation,It may be just me but ive not noticed this before,could it be crappy bottle of gas(argon) or a knacked reg
appreciate your help
Dave

 

[weldequip]

whilst disconecting the reg i found it soaked with condensation

Sounds like way too much pressure going through the Reg; what's your flow rate set at?

 

[backpurge]

Aagree with weldequip, too high a flow will cause turbulence that will drag air in and cause dirty welds

 

[yarpap]

thanks for the replies,flow is set to 5ltr min pure argo 2.5mm red tungsten etc etc its the same set up i used untill the big bottle ran out changed to smaller bottle ( which is half used ) and itss been poop since, I done some work on site yesterday using customers gas and my set and all was ok
Dave

 

[Uniqueusername]

Does it SOUND like 5lpm of argon ?
Condensation comes from way to high a flow rate, more like 50lpm

 

[yarpap]

yes sounds ok, i actually turned the flow up a bit to around 7 ltrs but no diference, just wondering if its possible to have a dodgy bottle or contaminated gas ,cant see it but will find out monday when i get two fresh bottles