Clavius, I've explained the moisture situation on more than one occasion here, but one thing I haven't touched on in a while is this. When cylinders are filled in most larger welding gas supply companies they're filled on a manifold of sometimes upwards of 100 cylinders. If one of those cylinders is...

azbird, Welcome to the forum. I agree that an 80CF cylinder should be the smallest to consider. You can pick them up new from right around $200 from your local welding supply. Most places will fill your cylinder but some just exchange it for a full one. Each has it's good and bad points. If they fil...

Jim, After reading some of the other posts about making sure you have clean underwear on, disinfecting your hands, wiping your genitals down with Acetone, Scothbrite your tungsten, only grind with a store bought tungsten grinder to some made up angle, I can see where you'd get the idea that Tig weld...

I've melted down 2 150 amp torches and I'm still using the first wedge collet. It's discolored but very functional. I'll never buy anything but again.

Len

Mud,
CK #4 series, I buy from Weldfabulous.com mostly, but LWS should be able to get them for you. Go to CK Worldwide's website for the number, which I believe would be 4GL332, just not 100% sure.

Len

Guys, As to inconsistent fills, there are quite a few variables that come into play here. First off any cylinder under a 336 cf can only be filled 2015 @ 70*F and a 336 can be filled to 2400 @ 70*F. There are cylinders that can be 10% overfilled, but you can only pump up to the limit of the allowabl...

Noah, The list of rods you've chosen will cover quite a wide variety of metals. I would go with 308L (lower Carbon) in place of 308 and if it's available at your supplier I'd go with the 4943 from Hobart for your Aluminum rod for it's wetting abilities. I seldom use a 1/16 rod for Aluminum, so for m...

Was just there this morning, it's about an hour down the river from us. I can get the number from our catalog, but thanks.

Len


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Steve,
Where did you source the NPT x FNPT Hoke (vacuum probe) valve? I can only find ones that are both male ends.

Len

Mark, Any leak is a bad leak and sometimes the small leaks cause big problems as they are the ones that draw atmosphere in instead of blowing Argon out. Another thing that needs to be looked at is your collet, if they are twisted and swollen, they restrict flow through the torch head. The best cure ...

Noah, Go to Weldfabulous.com and look at the CK SL2-35QD for $46.43 and the CK FL1525SF torch for $185.49 and while you're there look up the #2 series head for the Flexloc and you'll be all set. What I was saying is that a "Stubby" gas lens basically changes a #3 series torch into a number...

Noah, The CK Flexloc with a #3 series head will have consumables that interchange with a 17 series torch and you can also replace it with a #2 series head which will interchange with the #9 torch.One thing that should be noted is that adding a stubby gas lens to a 17/#3 series torch lowers it amp ra...

bosulli, First off, welcome to the forum. Miller uses the terms "Panel" and "Remote" on most of their controls and in this case the HF will be present at the torch when it's switched to "Panel" and operated with either a foot or hand control when switched to "Remot...

pavetim,
Here's a crazy idea, buy 2 tig fingers from Jody's store, straighten them out, and use them.

Len

Zippo, The back side of a fillet joint does have contamination on it from the weld on the front side. The backside oxidizes while you're welding and should be cleaned as well or better than the front side. Take it back to shiny clean with a grinder or flap disc. The other thing you can do to help is...

Mud, Go an inch down each side and put aluminum tape, only sticking the top half and bend it back over itself, then lift it up about 45*.. This traps the gas as it tries to flow down the sides. Acetone will take the glue off if it gets too sticky (it will most times). You can also tape across the in...

Chris, 1-2-3 blocks are steel blocks that are 1" x 2" x 3" and come in pairs that can be bolted together in many different configurations. Some of the holes are threaded and some not. Do an online search. There are a few threads on this site with some very well thought out welding tab...

Chris, First off, thanks for your service. Welcome to the forum. You can do quite a bit with what you have, but I'd suggest that you get your cylinder filled with pure Argon if you want to tig weld. 75/25 is for mig welding only. I believe that nobody can have too many c-clamps and 11R vise-grips. Y...

Problem is now you have no room left for groceries. Pretty short sighted on your part.

Nice job.

Len

You can use a 1-2-3 block set bolted at a 90* angle and run a nylon wire tie through the holes and around the pipe to hold it square. A small set of machinists v-blocks work well when used the same way. I made a set of X-blocks awhile back out of two pieces of heavy walled 1 1/2" angle welded p...

MotoE, You'll find plenty of fans here of all the things you've mentioned. Lots of motorcycle enthusiast here as well as a few that race, on and off road. We have quite a few machinist also. Some of us may own a lathe or mill for personal use but are in no way considered machinist. Mostly we enjoy b...

What you're trying to do in itself sounds simple, but in reality it is very hard to do with positive results. If this needs to retain any kind of strength you're probably going to be disappointed. A better explanation of what you're trying to do might help. Cast iron is very brittle when welded and ...

Fe3c, Welcome to the forum. Glad to see people trying to add value to themselves. One thing I'll tell you is to try and avoid Tig welding outside. Even the slightest breeze can introduce atmosphere into your gas envelope and ruin the weld. Even a slight air movement inside a shop will reek havoc on ...

If at all possible, get to the back side and clean the paint off as well. A full penetration weld will pull the paint fumes through the cracks and into the cover gas envelope. That will cause you grief, as well as leave you wondering what went wrong. Cleaning out the cracks will be a challenge, all ...