mig questions, sample pics added Options

[jimkelly]

my original argon valve was bent up and leaked, so I ordered a new one. it had again, different sized threads, jeez.

so I went to ace ( r towel advice) and went with barbed fitting at both ends since the new argon valve came with a 1/4 barb already.

question - when you are done welding and want to purge the lines of argon, after shutting the valve on the tank, do you have to waste wire or is there a way to purge without wasting wire?

also, I expected the bead to stay at 15 psi when i turned the brass valve open, but it only rises to 15 psi or what ever I set it at, when I pull the red trigger on the mig - is this normal?

also - I prepped some of my old real estate signs for practice : )

jim

[Elliot Cannon]

I purge my tank the same way. I turn off the tank valve and press the trigger till the tank gauge says zero and then watch as the regulator gauge also says zero. If you don't want to waste too much wire when doing this you can turn the wire speed way down and not so much will come through. I then (try to) remember to turn the regulator valve handle to the left till it is loose and relaxes pressure on the valve. I'm just a welding hobbyist but I will be staying at the Holliday inn in Flagstaff on the way to the RCC. Maybe we'll hear from the experts here. Scotty?

[McMark]

Never heard of purging the line. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[Elliot Cannon]

I only do it to bring both gauges to zero. Relaxes the pressure in the gauges and I'm told they last longer. And I have cheap gauges. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)

[jimkelly]

maybe I just like Asian chicks - but see the last few minutes of this video

link

[i][/i]

Never heard of purging the line. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[Elliot Cannon]

You mention Asian chicks, then provide a link that doesn't work. That's just mean! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

[jimkelly]

Asian chick link is fixed (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[ChrisFoley]

The only reason to "purge" the lines is to relieve pressure on the regulator diaphragm.

[stugray]

Lift up on the wheel hold-down lever in the wire feeder

The wheels will turn but not feed wire.
(wheels will be HOT while doing this)

Stu

[Elliot Cannon]

Asian chick link is fixed (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Asian chick and UC Irvine. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cheer.gif)

[jimkelly]

my first 4 welds : )

I was turning wrong dials a few times but 4th row is better than first : )

shown is panel front, panel rear where I did not remove paint, and rear of 4th weld upclose, and first again back lighted.

seems that having a copper back plate has got to help in most cases?

this is gonna take some serious practice and dialing in.

[Elliot Cannon]

The only reason to "purge" the lines is to relieve pressure on the regulator diaphragm.

I knew we would get a definitive answer eventually. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif) Thanks Chris.

[jimkelly]

actually, I only waste about 5-6 inches of wire when I watch the psi gage drop to 0. I thought it was way more.

[rjames]

Copper back plate helps! Work towards moving the puddle of molten metal in the direction your welding. Experiment with both pushing and pulling the puddle, you'll probably find you're better at doing one over the other, although the orientation of what you are welding will often dictate which method you'll use.

[jimkelly]

i'm not sure I was ever moving a puddle, at all.

I will work on creating a puddle. to move (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

my mig has .030 wire in it - i figured I would leave it in for practice - and i think the panel are maybe 20gage +-.

is it night and day between using .023 and .030 ????

thanks

[Elliot Cannon]

I've never used anything other than .023 but I only weld 1/8 inch or less. I was taught that pulling the puddle makes for a deeper weld that pushing.

[ChrisFoley]

pushing is usually better

[jimkelly]

I used a cut off wheel to cut the slices - so working with this gap - even though it was not much - was certainly more than welding a butted joint - and certainly, I assume, makes it much harder to create a puddle.

for my next trick - I will try some tight butts next.

[CptTripps]

That's a great way to practice. I never thought to do it like that. Great idea.

Maybe do 15-20 though...instead of 4. ;-)

You'll get there. I still have all my 'practice pieces' from 2004 when I bought my welder.

[rick 918-S]

I never turn off the valve on my tank. My gauge is 30 years old and never had an issue. I have barbed fitting and clamps. Never had a leak. My tank lasts years.