when you pack up for the day...

[Alistair]

when you guys are done welding do you remove the regulator from the bottle or leave it on... always removed chuck away bottles because they leaked over night i assume full size bottles dont leak??

 

[Paul.]

Leave it on, you don't want to keep disturbing the reg once its sealed, just turn the cylinder off, some folk back off the regulator pressure knob as well, its good practice, but most including me don't bother.

 

[Alistair]

thanks Paul. i know it sounds a daft question just my wife is panicking it will leak and kill us all in our sleep!!!!!!! tut.... silly woman.

 

[Paul.]

You keeping it in the bedroom then

 

[Alistair]

haha.. im very protective of my welder you know!! one more thing!! do you put ptfe tape around the threads or are they a good enough fit to not need it.

 

[Paul.]

No tape required, the reg seals on the brass bullnose not the threads, in fact PTFE contains oil so shouldn't be used on cylinders, especially Oxygen.
I know your not using oxygen, but this page may be of interest,

 

[gordon stephenson]

Hi, Ali-veedub,
Do NOT tape the threads with P.T.F.E, The threads on a full size regulator play no part in the gas sealing. the seal is formed by the domed nose contacting the tapered seat in the bottle neck.

 

[Alistair]

cool, i did read in the instuctions for the reg not to get oil anywhere near it but wasnt aware ptfe contained it so thank you for that mate.

 

[Alistair]

crikey, just read the link and i feel a bit of a wally now !!