Please help - Argon flow

[want2weld]

I have no clue how I did this but I ran out of Argon.
I bought a 80 cubic foot cylinder (I think.. maybe 120 ??). It's just under three feet high. It's about half the height of a full size cylinder.

How the **** did I use a whole bottle of Argon already? Even if I had my guages flowing too much Argon could I have emptied an entire tank? My welder has about 5 hours or so continious welding hours I would guess.. I'm really not sure. I've been in the garage every chance I could get since Wednesday.

Is it possible I didn't get a full bottle from Wesco? Or could I have really screwed up that bad?

[Paychk]

Do you shut off the bottle valve when you're not using the welder? I know that is very basic, but I have left mine open by mistake. What was the setting you were using on the flowmeter?

[want2weld]

I have been shutting off my bottle when I go inside. Even if I left the bottle on the gas doesn't start flowing until I start the torch right?

I've been playing around with the flow a little bit but it's been set at about 30 CFH. I didn't know where to set it so I started in the middle. In the Miller TIG book it says that too much Argon is just a waste and wont hurt the weld so I figured 30 would be a good start.

Also, the new bottle read about 2000 PSI even though the guages go up to 4000 PSI.

Thanks!

[Scott V]

I would run a gas lens,and set the flow about 12 cfh.How much post flow are you using?Use olny as much as needed,and no more.Watch your tungsten color.Those things will help a bunch.

[d.paulson]

Lets do some math...

80 ft3 (gas in tank) / 30 cfh (cubic feet per hour = 2.66 hrs use.

[Bobster]

RE: Argon Flow

Running at 20cfh, an 80cu. ft. tank will be empty after 4 hours of continuous use. 4 X 20 == 80, it's only math!

That's why I now own a 60 cu ft tank and rent a second 80 cu ft tank. When my argon usage get higher I'll switch to a larger rental tank.

Sounds like you're havin' fun!

BTW, the gauge on a full Argon tank should read about 2200 psi.

[want2weld]

Well I guess that explains it.
I kept the default setting for pre and post flow and it sounds like the gas flows for about 5 seconds after I stop welding. What should I set pre and post flow to?

Then I had the guage set to over 30 CFH up until yesterday when I decided to LOWER it to 30 CFH. I think I had it at about 35 or so.

Scott, what can I learn from the color of my Tungsten?

Thanks for you help guys!

Originally posted by Bobster
Sounds like you're havin' fun!

Oh.. I am

[Paychk]

Originally posted by want2weld
Even if I left the bottle on the gas doesn't start flowing until I start the torch right?

So the theory goes, but a little speck of dust at one of the threaded connections or a clamp on the hose over/under tight or even a defective gas solenoid can cause a slow leak. It sounds as though the fun will cost some gas unless you can fine tune your flow!

[Bobster]

My preflow is set for 0.5 sec and post flow is set for 10 sec.

If the tungsten is turning colors it's probably been contaminated. That happens alot when we learn to TIG. It'll really turn some interesting colors if you try to weld with the argon turned off!!

One thing I learned at the Sportair TIG school that has improved my TIG welds, I was "lifting off" the torch as soon as I completed the weld. I didn't see much negative effect until I started doing aluminum and stainless steel, the weld contamination is obvious on these metals. Now I force myself to hold the torch in place at the end of the weld until the post flow times out. I guess "lifting off" is a habit I got into gas welding that can't be brought into the TIG welding world.

[echo8287]

Pre/Post flow

Post flow is 1 second per 10 amps I believe. 50amps =5seconds 100amps =10 seconds. Pre-flow maybe .5 to 1 second. David

[want2weld]

Thanks guys..
I was just reading the owners manual for the T/A and there is a Argon flow table in the back. The flow rates are in Liters per minute. What's the formula to convert CFH to Liters per minute? Anybody know?

Again.. Thanks!!

[dseman]

want2weld,
I thought you said you read the tig handbook? They have tables in there which indicate 15cfh as a starting point for torches w/out gas lenses. If you have a gas lense, start at 10cfh. Re-read p.39-40 on argon flowrates,preflow,postflow and that will explain what happens when they are set incorrectly. Then move on to pages49-52 for flow rates based on material being welded.

-dseman

[lranch]

Wow! The bottle dude must love you guys. Now here's some more hot gas: With a water cooled torch, if I stuff it or some Jimmy Hoffa jumps on the tip, by the time I flip helmet, remove gloves (all the while talking like Popeye) I can pull tung. with bare hands. Approx.5 sec. This means after 3sec no atmosphere should combust with tip (sure, if you have a couple of square inches of work glowing red you need more cloud, however you are using way to much power). Indoors, no babes running in and out, 10 on the flow dial should be fine (I run approx. 5-6) Steel should only need 1-2 sec. pre and 3 post (water cooled) AL, 2-3sec. pre and approx. 3-4 post. (I use 0-0 on steel and 2-3 on AL) Bear in mind, This is what I use, you will no doubt want to adjust as you desire. Just a data point.

[Splatterboy]

Want2 - just a thought here, and maybe it's too late, but I'll toss it out in case it helps anyone else.

Instead of buying a larger tank, I got two 40 tanks. With one, if you wait till you're out, you may be mid project and have to end early to go get more. Otherwise, you may short yourself to go when it's convenient.

IF (and in my world it's a big if ), you keep both tanks filled, even though they are smaller, you can afford to run one down to empty without stopping your project, because you always have the other.

Don't know if that will help anyone or not, of course I just ran out of propane when bbq'ing on Sun and the spare was empty.

[want2weld]

Originally posted by dseman
want2weld,
I thought you said you read the tig handbook?

I did (a few times).. Funny how things get absorbed better when you've actually experienced them first hand.. I have a lot to learn as I've only been using a TIG welder (or any welder for that matter) since Saturday (4 days).