how to set argon flow rate - first timer

[brianday]

Setting up my new RT TIG160 yesterday

I have a 10 litre bottle at 200 BAR
fitted the regulator that came with the welder - despite there being no instructions of any sort with the regulator
pressure dial read 175BAR - is list an inaccurate gauge or an underfilled bottle

flow rate sits at zero
played with the knob on the regulator - doesn't feel like a normal "tap" so I rang someone who said anti clockwise is off!

so I did that and then turn the bottle tap on a bit
then screwed regulator clockwise several turns then sudenly got hissing

flowrate dial jumped a couple of times but didn't indicate anything

rigged up the TIG torch according to the TIG tutorial and tried to melt some mild steel

got a couple of niceish plasma arcs but after a little while I think I burnt the tip off the tungsten - dont think I touched down -

I think I didnt have enough gas flow and I burnt the tip

how do I set the gas flow?

sorry if this is a bit basic

 

[Engineer]

A flow meter will make things much easier, but you should be getting gas flow without one, so first disconnect the gas line from your machine, turn on the gas and check you have flow.

 

[brianday]

yes it hisses

I can adjust it to hiss a little or a lot
or somewhere in between

there is definitely gas coming out

my question is how do I set the flowrate to the right level

 

[mike os]

do you have a dual dial regulator?

 

[topcat]

The only way to check the actual flow rate is with a flow meter/gauge that screws onto the regulator/in line with the outlet hose.

 

[Hitch]

Or one of these....

Or one of these...

Does your regulator not have a gauge that reads in LPM?

Got a picture of it?

 

[^neo^]

Numbers are for noobs................ little hiss is what you want!

 

[langy]

A flow meter will allow you to set it accuratly and save you a fortune in gas

 

[pedrobedro]

I think I didnt have enough gas flow and I burnt the tip

how do I set the gas flow?

sorry if this is a bit basic

You probably need a bit more instruction before you try to weld. Have you set a slope down and post gas setting to shield the tungsten as you stop welding and are you holding the torch in position till it stops? You seem to be confusing two processes, mig and tig. Are you using pure argon gas? Turn the cylinder tap on a lot then screw the regulator knob in.

 

[brianday]

The flow meter must have been stuck it just shot up to a sensible number
I set it to 8 and made some blobs on a bit of 3mm stainless

I realise this isn't a real flowmeter but an indication of flow - but something is happening

got a nice arc and managed to make a mess with no effort
turned the current down from 80 to 50 and played a bit