Gas runs out in minutes

[Wookie_66]

I am new to welding and havent got that much of a clue.

My gas seams to run out withing minutes. I have a regulator but no gauge. Should I be opening it half turns, whole turns all the way??

I am now having to weld without the gas coming through and it looks rubbish and having to spend time grinding it back to make sure its done.

Its a cheap welder (make Fern)

Thanks
David

 

[cumbriasteve]

Welcome to the forum and welcome to the costly use of disposable bottles.

You should have the gas coming out at 10litre/min, not easy to guess if you have no regulator, perhaps you have it open a bit too much but even so...they don't last long at all.

Alter the valve until you can hear a slight hiss and a gentle flow against the skin when the torch trigger is pulled.

 

[shenion]

If you are using disposable gas cans, the argon/CO2 ones only last 6-10 minutes or so.

The CO2 ones will last longer, maybe 30 minutes or so of use.

In either case, a refillable bottle will probably be chaper.

 

[Premiershipman]

Get yourself the BOC volkszone offer - £60 ish quid a year, as shenion said it will be much cheaper in the long run.

 

[mike 109444]

Hi and welcome Wookie_66. The times quoted are for trigger pressed (actually welding). Could be you may have a slight leak? Try some soappy water over gas tap and any pipe connections, looking for bubbles.

 

[langy]

Get yourself a flowmeter, it will save you a fortune.

 

[FranV8]

+1 on getting a flowmeter and +1 on getting a rental or rent free over disposables.

Don't weld without gas, your welds will just be horrible, and it's not helping you learn better technique.

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

and the welds will be awful, wont penetrate and be very porous

will

 

[langy]

and the welds will be awful, wont penetrate and be very porous

will

Why would you even try to weld without gas !!!

 

[Robotstar5]

Why would you even try to weld without gas !!!

Didn't bother my nieghbour when he was bodging a patch onto his car for the MOT - ground the mess down and slapped some underseal on, passed OK!

 

[stef1]

Get yourself the BOC volkszone offer - £60 ish quid a year, as shenion said it will be much cheaper in the long run.

are they still doing this offer? had a look and i cant see anything

 

[keith19]

Have you looked in the Volkszone thread?
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=14605&page=27

If you ask Ducky he'll be able to send you a copy of the apps form, reference in post halfway down the page.

 

[s410man]

if you arent doing that much welding it may be better to get a rent free bottle

 

[stef1]

Have you looked in the Volkszone thread?
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=14605&page=27

If you ask Ducky he'll be able to send you a copy of the apps form, reference in post halfway down the page.

Dohh, I have now lol

Cheers mate