Technical Welding outdoors

So I finally got my gas for my welder and thought I'd do some welding. I get everything setup and going and the regulator starts puffing like an old locomotive and this was after about 10-15 minutes of welding. I look back at the regulator and it's covered in ice. I call up the guy at Airgas and he said turn it off let it cool down for a while. I did that I let it cool off for about a half hour or so and did some welding again and still puffs.

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https://forum.millerwelds.com/forum/welding-discussions/17995-freezing-regulator

this might help

 

Fully described, and accurate! Thanks.

 

Could you guys dumb it down a little. Is the pressure to high from the tank?

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Priceless...!

 

Use 75 25 and you'll likely not have this problem. The only time I've seen that is with co2
Not to mention that the one time in 25 years that I used straight co2 on a friends advice it was very spattery (is that a word?)

 

Yes Chris.....excessive pressure/ gas flow. JB

 

how high is the flow rate set?

are there any leaks?

are you using straight CO2?

anyways...turn down the flow rate, fix any leaks, and use argon/CO2 mix to address these issues.

And learn about physics, PV=nRT. When you reduce pressure in a container of gas, by venting some of the gas, the temperature drops.

 

did we just invent air conditioning?

 

I went with the CO2 because i got the tank for next to nothing, and that's what i can afford right now.
I'll try adjusting the regulator. The gauge face seems to be bent upward i'm thinking that may have been giving me a false reading.

 

Try different flow rates, get it set so it's just high enough to make it work well.

Welding outdoors, you probably need more flow rate to make up for wind, though.

 

When welding outside, having a 'welding shield' is helpful. You don't arc-flash neighbors and/or p***erbys, and it's acting as a windbreak will allow you to reduce gas pressure. Will save you money on gas too....

 

I've gone to several equipment/ going out of business auctions where there are large oxygen bottles that go for less than $100. I 've taken these bottles to the gas place and they have exchanged the bottles for argon/co2 mix bottles and I only paid for the gas.

 

I didn't even think about swapping it for an argon tank. a refill probably wouldn't have cost that much more then CO2

 

squirrels too, they can’t help but to look. (Not the one that rebuilds antique computers)



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probably explains all the smudge stains in the road