Leaking gas.....

[slim_boy_fat]

Hope this in the right place, but Mods please shift it if deemed appropriate.

I've got Argoshield Light for my R-Tech MIG and following a post by someone else [iirc it was John @doubleboost] I decided to fit a quick-release PLC fitting so that I wasn't tethered to the gas bottle all the time, e.g. if welding outside with MMA.

Trouble is, I can hear gas escaping at the joint where the coupling is screwed onto the gas connetion on the rear panel of the machine. I've tried PTFE tape but it's still the same - have I got a duff PLC connector or is it down to something else? I don't have a spare connector to try and see no point in buying another to find the same thing happens........

Any ideas, lads?

 

[123hotchef]

take it off and try with ptfe again

 

[rtbcomp]

Are you sure it's supposed to seal on the thread and not on a cone? Some photos of the connectors may help.

 

[rikrobson]

use the supplied hose to the machine and put the connector on the other end. that will work.
its a taper/bullnose connection on the back of the R-tech migs. the Hose has the correct fitting and a coupler can be fitted on the end.

 

[T0rnado69]

if you are using ptfe tape around the thread.

then make sure its for gas not water.

 

[the snooper]

Put some washing up liquid mixed with a little water on the connection it will show the source of the leak

 

[rikrobson]

The source of the leak is mismatched connectors see previous post.

 

[daleyd]

if you are using ptfe tape around the thread.

then make sure its for gas not water.

I think that only applies when using "normal" ptfe tape for natural gas/lpg- the normal stuff should be fine for argon/co2.

 

[123hotchef]

the gas ptfe tape is the same stuff just much thicker and always wrap it in the same direction of the thread

 

[Richard.]

Does the connection have a bull nose? You might be barking up the wrong tree. You shouldn't need thread tape on any of the gas connections because the threads are not supposed to be the seal. Some pics of the male/female ends your trying to join would determine this.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Are you sure it's supposed to seal on the thread and not on a cone? Some photos of the connectors may help.

Thinking about it, that makes complete sense. I'll look closely at the ends tomorrow. Thanks.

use the supplied hose to the machine and put the connector on the other end. that will work.
its a taper/bullnose connection on the back of the R-tech migs. the Hose has the correct fitting and a coupler can be fitted on the end.

Will give that a go, backs up what rtbcomp said. Also the fact that John [doubleboost] liked the reply would back that up, as it was his idea I was copying.

if you are using ptfe tape around the thread.

then make sure its for gas not water.

I didn't realise there was different stuff, I've been using plumbers' tape.

Thanks lads, I appreciate the help/advice. I'll swop the connectors over - gas is expensive enough...........

 

[rikrobson]

I have one, I know how it connects I thied what you did 6 months ago.

 

[T0rnado69]

but as already said, if its argon and the reg is for argon then it should seal it self wiithout the need for tape.

when i lived up scotland i got a argon uni from inverness depot.
got it home and found it would leak while u was using it.
it turned out the area the cone of the reg sits into had a scratch on it.
allowing it to leak.
they swapped the bottle over no problems though.

 

[Richard.]

I have one, I know how it connects I thied what you did 6 months ago.

There is the problem then. Can't beat a bit of experience from others.

 

[daleyd]

I didn't realise there was different stuff, I've been using plumbers' tape

The normal plumbers stuff is fine for gas stuff other than natural/lpg gas/oxygen afaik. (In the right area, generally on threaded connectors - obviously if your particular set up doesn't need it then don't use it)

I've used it for years on compressed air, nitrogen etc without any probs.( I've tended to use loctite ptfe liquid sealant in recent years though, mainly just because I had a massive tube of it sent for a job and it's been in my toolbox ever since.)

 

[slim_boy_fat]

but as already said, if its argon and the reg is for argon then it should seal it self wiithout the need for tape.

when i lived up scotland i got a argon uni from inverness depot.
got it home and found it would leak while u was using it.
it turned out the area the cone of the reg sits into had a scratch on it.
allowing it to leak.
they swapped the bottle over no problems though.

Thanks, but the leak is definitely of my making - I can hear it when I listen at the 'culprit' connector set-up.

All things being equal, I'll be on fixing it tomorrow.

 

[T0rnado69]

aww yes you added a quick release connection.

forgot about that slight detail

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Checked again today, and went to swop the connectors round as above. Fittings are unable to be swopped over due to needing a male coupling for the hose and a female for the back of the machine - checked the ones I had......nope, not to hand.

So I resorted to plan B and used more PTFE tape as per 123hotchef' suggestion - no gas leak now!!

Thanks again, lads

 

[Richard.]

Checked again today, and went to swop the connectors round as above. Fittings are unable to be swopped over due to needing a male coupling for the hose and a female for the back of the machine - checked the ones I had......nope, not to hand.

So I resorted to plan B and used more PTFE tape as per 123hotchef' suggestion - no gas leak now!!

Thanks again, lads

Temporary solution I hope. I can't abide seeing that stuff on welding gas links.

 

[rikrobson]

I'll post some Photos of mine tomorrow.