How best to check gas flow without feeding wire?

[jweaver]

My old welder (SIP) had the gas valve inside the torch.. So checking the flow was easy, as you could slightly pull the trigger and feed gas, without wire. Infact, you could even do it with the power offer.

My new Welder has an electric valve.. So as soon, as I pull the trigger gas AND wire are fed.

As I am trying to set the gas, I am not only wasting wire I am also conscious that its going to touch a ground and arc.

Whats good practice when setting gas rates? Should I release the feed roller so that the wire isn't fed? Or am I missing something more obvious?

Jon

 

[chevy2]

whenever i first use my mig i simply flick over the tension lever on the wire feed roller so i can purge the gas for about 5-10 seconds, that way the start of the first weld of the day isn't porous.

 

[madkayaker]

I do the same as above. I use a pea shooter to get accurate value

 

[jweaver]

whenever i first use my mig i simply flick over the tension lever on the wire feed roller so i can purge the gas for about 5-10 seconds, that way the start of the first weld of the day isn't porous.

Cheers.. I wish I had checked.. I set the flow when I got my new setup a few weeks back and assumed it wouldn't change.. Today I made a bracket and was very happy with the welds.. But when I did a bit of practice welds afterwards I noticed that the flow was 2Lpm and I suspect that the welds on the bracket are pretty poor.

It doesn't matter.. I welded both sides of the joints, and its only a holder so I can clip my clamps up on the ceiling out of the way, so strength is not going to be an issue. But it makes me realise that I need to check the flow before starting out each time.

Thanks for the tip.

Jon