I have used these cylinders for some years and have never experienced a gas leak. So when I came to use an almost new one only a few months old I was surprised to find it empty. Contacted Machinemart and of course got I guess the standard answer did you disconnect the regulator. The answer is no , I have never done this with any cylinder as unless I am 'thick' as long as you unscrew the regulator valve fully whether you unscrew the valve or leave it in place you are relying on the sealing of the cylinder valve. Am I right. So do I have a complaint with Machinemart re a faulty cylinder seal. They say they will test the cylinder but I am dubious of their honesty to check out. I do not want to buy another, use a couple of times and then come back in a few months to find empty. Am I doing something wrong, or could there have been a batch valve fault. Machinemart argued that if they leaked then they would be empty in a short time on their shelves, so why did the guy shake the one I bought, I was told that it is not unknown for someone to try and swap an empty one for a full one, never had this before with previous ones purchased.
- Thread starter eng622
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the snooper
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i really cant see them testing it as you say they will state they have and found nothing wrong.
get a pub co2 bottle around £12 and will last ages those small ones are legalised robbery
get a pub co2 bottle around £12 and will last ages those small ones are legalised robbery
rtbcomp
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I suppose it's possible for a canister to leak once a regulator has been fitted and removed if the seal doesn't re-seat properly.
With the regulator in place the canister seal will be open and you rely on the tap on the reg to provide the seal.
Testing the cylinder sounds a bit odd, did they try to charge you for this service with a promise of a refund of the test fee if the bottle was faulty?
Was it a CO2 or a CO2/Argon mix? If it was the mix the gas is under high pressure in the gaseous state so shaking the cylinder is pointless. If it is liquid CO2 then you can hear the liquid sloshing about if the cylinder has some gas left in it.
With the regulator in place the canister seal will be open and you rely on the tap on the reg to provide the seal.
Testing the cylinder sounds a bit odd, did they try to charge you for this service with a promise of a refund of the test fee if the bottle was faulty?
Was it a CO2 or a CO2/Argon mix? If it was the mix the gas is under high pressure in the gaseous state so shaking the cylinder is pointless. If it is liquid CO2 then you can hear the liquid sloshing about if the cylinder has some gas left in it.
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I've bought one of these once and also found it empty (like, completely empty. Not a whisper of gas.) so perhaps the problem is more common than we think.
They did take mine back without argument though. Under the sales of goods act they pretty much have to, so go all trading standards on their **** if they don't.
They did take mine back without argument though. Under the sales of goods act they pretty much have to, so go all trading standards on their **** if they don't.
fridgeman999
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Hi,
Most welder instructions tell you to remove cylinder when not in use. Same as turning water tap off, when not using a washing machine, but who does that.
Yes the cylinders can leak, even when disconnected,i use disposable oxygen cylinders for work, they are even more expensive, nearly £30-00 plus VAT.
Now after disconnecting, i have got into the habit of tapping top side of cylinder against a brick wall to reseat the valve.
Chris.
Most welder instructions tell you to remove cylinder when not in use. Same as turning water tap off, when not using a washing machine, but who does that.
Yes the cylinders can leak, even when disconnected,i use disposable oxygen cylinders for work, they are even more expensive, nearly £30-00 plus VAT.
Now after disconnecting, i have got into the habit of tapping top side of cylinder against a brick wall to reseat the valve.
Chris.
pondy
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were can i get one of these? i have some argon mix bottles but nearly run out and need some more gas,
I also would like to know more about the pub CO2 bottles, where you can get them from and what connectors you need.
Regarding my gas loss in the Clarke cylinder I know from from what I have read that it is recommended to disconnect the regulator. However if you operate the regulator screw you can see the pin move up and down. I need to screw down quite a lot to get the gas to flow, that is why I am sure when screwed fully out the pin has retracted enough for the cylinder valve to close. If this were not the case then I would have had the leak problem with the previous cylinders, which I haven't. No mention of a testing charge was made but if there is one I will decline and put it down to experience. I need a new cylinder asap so do not have time to go down the 'pub' CO2 route for now. I will now start disconnecting the regulator and give the cylinder a clout as suggested.
Regarding my gas loss in the Clarke cylinder I know from from what I have read that it is recommended to disconnect the regulator. However if you operate the regulator screw you can see the pin move up and down. I need to screw down quite a lot to get the gas to flow, that is why I am sure when screwed fully out the pin has retracted enough for the cylinder valve to close. If this were not the case then I would have had the leak problem with the previous cylinders, which I haven't. No mention of a testing charge was made but if there is one I will decline and put it down to experience. I need a new cylinder asap so do not have time to go down the 'pub' CO2 route for now. I will now start disconnecting the regulator and give the cylinder a clout as suggested.
the snooper
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Hi Eng622
I tried to go the pub bottle route but couldn't get a fill anywhere. I went onto fire extinguishers and they are a doddle at £10 a pop, They need to be upside down or on thier side because of a tube inside. For either bottle or extinguisher you need a conversion regulator from weldequip at £40.00.
Bigrab.
I tried to go the pub bottle route but couldn't get a fill anywhere. I went onto fire extinguishers and they are a doddle at £10 a pop, They need to be upside down or on thier side because of a tube inside. For either bottle or extinguisher you need a conversion regulator from weldequip at £40.00.
Bigrab.
