Argon gas cylinder and regulator issue

[NewToTig]

Hi,
I'm trying to get my TIG welder going.
When I pull the lever on the cylinder to get the gas on I hear a small "sshh" initially.
However the gauge on the regulator does not move or indicate any pressure.
There is a small grub screw on the front of the regulator as shown on the photo.

However I am hesitant mess with the screw.
Is this something I must do in order to get the gas to go through?

I have also uploaded a photo of the cylinder gauge, hopefully the pressure is adequate.

Thanks,

 

[rikrobson]

does the gaude show the input or the output. if its upto 3-4000psi its input and should read iro 200 id its a new bottle. if its up to 100psi or lower its the output.

You'll need to turn the large knob on the side (Eccles: I haven't got a knob on my side) of the regulator and it will adust the output pressure set it to about 10 o'clock on the gauge. you can then set the flow via the smaller knob on the flow meter.

 

[rikrobson]

I had a close look at the regulator pics. the gauge should show the bottle pressure, so its either empty or its not open.

when my bottle is low the bottle gauge reads zero, but there is still gas left to weld with.

 

[Wozzaaah]

According to the cylinder gauge there's plenty of gas in it but a quick and dirty test is to take the regulator off, face the cylinder outlet away from you and CAREFULLY turn the lever, you'll soon know if there's gas in it or not.

 

[voipio]

The grub screw on the regulator adjust knob doesn't look to me as if it's a manufacturer-fitted part. Is it a pukka part of the reg, or has someone fitted it to the regulator, in which case treat with suspicion.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

I think there's a bit missing off the end of the regulator, in the second pic where the red circle is. Shouldn't there be a hard plastic moulded cover like the black part in this random Google image, which is turned to control gas flow?

 

[WorkshopChris]

Welcome,
Is there anyone local you could swap a regulator with to confirm the cylinder is full and ok.
Have never seen a regulator and combined flow gauge the same as that over here so could not comment. It could be missing a front cap for adjustment or could be a pre set regulator at about 30psi for the flow to be adjusted with the pea shooter. But it would appear to be malfunctioning at the moment.

One more point if your cylinder rental system is the same sort of thing we have, you might want to edit your photo as someone could copy the tag info and bar code.

 

[eSCHEn]

Looks like one of this type but minus the handle https://www.capitalanalytical.com/index.php?c=product&product=4169

 

[Wozzaaah]

It's pretty much the same as this one.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ARGON-CO2-G...ULATOR-GAUGE-WELDER-CGA580-FITS-/321638259795

 

[gordon stephenson]

Looks to me as if both gauges read bottle pressure, And the allen screw could be instead of a knob for setting the welding flow,

 

[Bill Edwards]

It appears that the cylinder has its own gauge and is well filled.
The gauge on the regulator also looks like a cylinder pressure gauge but it's hard to see the units on the photo.

The hex grub screw does appear to be the pressure setting screw that's usually a large knob/handle, I would try screwing it in (clockwise) and gas ought to flow.

As you can hear something when cracking the cylinder open I reckon there's gas into the regulator and it just needs opening, and of course it may have a non working gauge - you can't assume it's all working correctly.
For gas to flow out of the pipe make sure the knob on the flowmeter is open (normal anticlockwise for this) as that alters the flow and could stop it if wound right in.

 

[NewToTig]

Hi, Thanks Guys. I found that I was not lifting the lever high enough. There's two clicks.
However I now found out the connection between the regulator and the bottle leaks.

I have researched and people say not use to PTFE tape which I see the sense in as the seal is between the two circular faces.
However, how I'm I going to get the connection to seal.

I wonder if I am ever going to get to use this welder? Its one hurdle after the other.

I have attached a photo of the lead connections. The welder has a +ve lead as the ground.
However no thicker cable going to the torch from the -ve, just a cable for the switch on the torch and tube for the argon gas on the torch, the third cable plugged in is for a foot pedal. Does anybody else have this?

Thanks,

 

[Bill Edwards]

Look closely at the seating surface on the regulator nose, any marks can cause a leak. I've managed to polish them out before with success. Does it go tight and not turn or wobble when the nut is tightened? I once met a regulator where the nut stopped turning before the nose made good contact.
Yes PTFE tape is a waste of time on that fitting.