Anything welding

The machine only has recommended settings for 035 wire on 1/4”. Nothing listed for 030

 

I switched to gas after about a week after it arrived (Aug 2020) and hadn't noticed any leaking, but curiosity got the better of me and this morning I turned on the regulator to pressurize the line. It was at 1100 psi initially and over the next 20 minutes went down to about 0. I don't hear anything leaking at the regulator, at the connection to the back of the welder, or at the torch. I assume that's not normal for the pressure to drop that fast, can you all confirm?

 

That does sound fast but so many variables can enter in.

So many places you can have leaks.

How long does it take for the flow gauge to read 0psi after the cylinder valve is closed?

In theory it should hold but most all leak that is why it should be a habit to turn cylinders off when walking away I even check them walking past .

Everyone for the most loses one full cylinder of gas to learn that lesson.

 

I checked 10 min later and it was down to 0, so it took about 30 minutes to go from 1100 to 0. I've gotten pretty good about checking if it's closed but will definitely be more aware going forward. I just worry about the time I forget to turn it off, or if I'm in an all day weld/fab session and have the welder running a good part of the time with the gas valve open. Guess I'll need to get in the habit of turning it off and closing the valve when I'm not actively welding.

 

That's what I do. If it'll be more than 10 minutes before I'm laying another bead, I'll close the tank. I also have one of these magnets on the tank so I have a visual cue.

$20 GSA Container Open/Closed Magnet 3 Pack

https://www.amazon.com/Container-Op...ords=open+closed+magnet&qid=1612799680&sr=8-2

 

In my case it can be so easy to get distracted and be gone hours and forget all about the cylinder being on.

A few times the cylinder got closed the welding machine was on idle for a few days .

 

Damn, that's a great idea. Just need to remember to take the magnet off when you exchange the tank!

 

Yep exactly. Or depending on your setup/cart, just put it on top of the welder. I use these at work on safes and vault doors so I'm already in the habit of flipping it around. It's very handy.

 

Yeah, with mine it'd would zero both dials within a few seconds of shutting off the tank valve. (I could hear a slight hiss near solenoid if welder shut off and quiet ambient noise). Got in the habit of keeping the tank turned off except when actively welding.

Checked the new welder this morning; opened & closed the tank valve. In a bit over an hour the tank side dial dropped from ~750psi to 600psi. So there's certainly some leakage but IMHO that's to be expected; I'll double check my connections with soapy water when it warms up a bit this afternoon.

 

That makes feel a little better that some leakage is normal. I'll do the same and use some soapy water to see if there's anything obvious going on. If there is, my guess it's at the solenoid valve.

 

Oh yeah, I should have added that I have a little leakage too. It's slow, but enough that if I left the tank open for a few days, it wouldn't be good. I think it's normal, unless you take the time to check all connections with soapy wooder.

 

What are those settings, and what did you use for the 0.030 wire?

 

I hate not thinking about things fully and making silly design flaws.. Does the motor even need to swing anyways?

 

Unsure what you're building, but motor swing is a common belt-tensioning method?

 

yeah it seemed doing 3rds was def the best way to go around them. I tacked the tube at 4 points and then did every effort to have the tacks end up in the middle of the weld.

also tried @koditten method for tie downs.

 

I love those tie-downs using 2" pipe, they work great. I went crazy with them on my utility trailer and burned 16 of them on; you can never have too many IMO.

 

Recommended settings for 035 are wire speed 320 and voltage 21.

I started there and played with both until I ended up with wire speed around 280 (have to double check exactly what it was), and voltage 18 when using the 030 wire.

 

Table saw cart. The motor is clear to swing back with the blade at 90* but can't swing sideways for a bevel cut /

 

Aha! I see now.

Seems like a simple enough measure-once/cut-twice exercise.

 

Easy fix now you just need another saw to make the bevel cuts .

A very good reason