Some advice about looking after Gas?

[kitkopool]

Hi all welder !

Can you please give me some good tips how to look after gas.
When to turn off and how to operate bottle to have gas the longest we can
What habits is good to start working on in order to keep bottle long time and save some money

For instance -you go to toilet - do you turn off the gas?

Kind Regards
Thanks

 

[wristpin]

Just don't smoke while you're in there!

 

[HMB]

Think he means different gas

 

[Bill Edwards]

It's all fairly simple. Store the cylinder with the key turned off, but whenever you are using it leave it on. When you finish with the gear for the day unscrew the regulator to relieve pressure on the internals.
Make sure you have a flowmeter (the type that have a ball that rises, not the gauge type) so you can be sure you are using the correct amount of gas.

Check you don't have any leaks in the system. The easy way to do this is to set up the regulator to give pressure to the welder as if you're using it, then switch off the gas bottle. Come back later and the pressure gauges shouldn't have changed - if they have, you have a leak. Soapy water can be useful for locating leaks.


Be careful how you handle gas cylinders. They contain a huge amount of pressure, and if you knock them over and snap the nozzle off you end up with a torpedo - the gas valve goes one way, the cylinder goes another. They don't get stopped by little things such as walls either.

 

[justin]

I forgot to turn mine off a few weeks ago, brand new bottle gone.

 

[brightspark]

I forgot to turn mine off a few weeks ago, brand new bottle gone.

bet u glad it wasnt acetylene

 

[kitkopool]

thanks guys. keep comming with nice ideas.
im gonna stick huge label on my gas bottle : GAS OFF !!!
so maybe that way i wont forget.
its just too much money to lose !

 

[kitkopool]

do i need pure argon for TIG PRACTICE or mix co2\ argon is fine?
i think 2nd one is cheaper

 

[Bill Edwards]

Pure argon, don't attempt anything else.
Have you checked out the BOC volkzone offer for the gas? It's a great deal.

 

[justmental]

the deal only lasts on your first year so make the most of it.
started my third bottle upgrade to large when my time is up.

 

[Jan]

the deal only lasts on your first year so make the most of it.
started my third bottle upgrade to large when my time is up.

I was under the impression that you just keep on paying the same annual rental no matter how long you run on the deal.

 

[PSweeney]

I've lost a few bottles by leaving them open. The bottle pressure is so high in comparison to what the gas valve can take over time, it will eventually leak out if left.

My remedy was to write "TURN OFF GAS" on the inside of the garage door.... and I'm ashamed to say it happened at least once even after that ........but @ £40 per re-fill I've learned my lesson and haven't done it since...