When to tell the gas is running low?

[Projects14a]

Sorry for the extremely simple and obvious question, but just wanted to confirm my assumptions, or be corrected if Im wrong. Also pick up any useful tips
Ive got a little hobby mig, a Clarke 151TE with the disposable bottles and standard regulator. When i weld, i can hear gas coming out, but it seems to have started forming the dark coating of brown deposits around the weld that i've seen in gasless tutorial.

Now, im assuming this is because there isnt sufficient gasflow to protect the weld for oxidisation, is there a way to tell before you start welding or do i just need to get a man sized bottle and regulator with gauges?

I'm using the CO2 bottle that came with the welder as i thought i may as well practice with the harder of the gasses, have 2 new bottles of the Argon/CO2 for when i start using it properly, although judging by how long this one lasted, they wont last very long either.

Last question is what setting should set the standard regulator at? Its got settings 1-6 and I've always set it to 6, but if thats abit extreme then i could reduce it and hopfully preserve the gas.

Thanks, and sorry again for the daft questions!

 

[Luke]

do i just need to get a man sized bottle and regulator with gauges?

Yup!

The gas flow from those regulators and little bottles is rubbish when the cylinder is full, let alone when it's empty.

 

[English Steve]

The disposable cylinders should last about 10 minutes each (continuous welding) which is longer than you might first think. The little regulators are not very adjustable - generally need to have them wide open to get the required flow.

 

[Projects14a]

Kind of what i thought to be honest, i'm planning on getting a proper bottle at some point, just cant afford it at the moment. Will chuck one of the CO2/Argon bottles on there and see how i get on.

 

[English Steve]

Be warned, I found the argon/co2 lasts less time than the straight co2

When you want to move up to the bigger bottles, Weldequip or DIYWelding on this forum can supply the regulator.

Good luck.

 

[Projects14a]

Hopefully the 2 bottles i have will last while i make this welding cart. Should do as i've only got 4 small box sections to weld at each end and probably a few bits on the sides to hold cables and clamps etc.

 

[clevinski]

Not to hijack this thread, but I have a (non-disposable) bottle of 75%/25% argon/CO2 approx. 2 foot high. The pressure is down to just under 1000 psi. At what point should I consider it empty and have it refilled? I used it a lot over the weekend and the welds are being adequately shielded, but I don't want it to run out on me in the middle of a project.

 

[English Steve]

Hi Charlie, unfortunately what tends to happen is you just run out with very little warning. The gauge does drop back a bit as the pressure in the bottle falls, but then it just seems to suddenly drop to zero (at least that's what happened to me last week ).
Mrs ES wasn't at all impressed when I asked her to drive to Barnstaple to get it swapped, but she did it

 

[clevinski]

Now THAT'S a wife! It's amazing what they do for us... a few months ago, my wife went to Harbor Freight to pick up a 30 pound vise for me, just so I wouldn't have to make the trip!

I guess I'll just have to deal with it when the tank goes empty...

 

[Projects14a]

Sounds like i should teach the girlfriend to drive! Although, im not convinced should would do any of the above

 

[madkayaker]

A mate of mine sent his wife to pick up a parcel from the post office that had a site transformer! He wasn't popular when he got back home.

 

[Muggins the Mug]

A mate of mine sent his wife to pick up a parcel from the post office that had a site transformer! He wasn't popular when he got back home.

Now that's an example of real equality for you!.

 

[shenion]

Not to hijack this thread, but I have a (non-disposable) bottle of 75%/25% argon/CO2 approx. 2 foot high. The pressure is down to just under 1000 psi. At what point should I consider it empty and have it refilled? I used it a lot over the weekend and the welds are being adequately shielded, but I don't want it to run out on me in the middle of a project.

Mine works down to below 100 PSI.

I normally have it refilled when it gets below 200PSI (10% left)

 

[clevinski]

Scott,

Good info, thanks!

 

[peterd51]

Hi,

I have one disposable that I keep for emergencies to get going again if the re-fillable runs out in the middle of a job. That way I can keep using the re-fillable until the gauge reads close to zero.

Regards
Peter

 

[Wozzaaah]

Mrs ES wasn't at all impressed when I asked her to drive to Barnstaple to get it swapped, but she did it

Mrs W's not impressed when I ask her to walk to the fridge to get me a beer, let alone drive somewhere to get me a cylinder of gas .

 

[Sparkey]

Mrs W's not impressed when I ask her to walk to the fridge to get me a beer, let alone drive somewhere to get me a cylinder of gas .

Maybe you didn't ask it NICE enough, wozzer?
hehe! fetch me a beer woman!!!

 

[English Steve]

Yes, you need to make it sound like a compliment such as - "you look very fetching in that dress, fetch us a beer"

 

[Sparkey]

Yes or only make a compliment.....her reply will be: okay, what is it you want from me?...

 

[Wozzaaah]

You know me sparks, ever the gentleman .
I like that approach Steve, I'll try it out later when she's finished cooking the tea and cleaning the house .

Oops, this thread's about gas, not chivalry .