MIG gas leak

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

My MIG set is about 10 years old, and I use disposable bottles of CO2/Argon mix bottles.  Whilst using the set today, I just happened to hear a hiss above the drone of the radio.  Finally located it to the flexible gas pipe between bottle and torch at a union inside the machine.  The tube never had any pipe clips as bought and I assumed that as the line pressure would be low, not required – WRONG.  I have now made some wire “clips” to seal the pipe to the union(s).

Bob

[Dave HalfordParticipant @davehalford22513]

I’ve had a CO2 regulator fail, just check it’s not leaking on the diaphragm as well.

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

As the set is ten years old might the pipe material have lost elasticity and relaxed slightly away from the fitting?

If so it might give a similar problem at the nozzle end too.

[old foolParticipant @old-fool]

Some of the Clark ones don’t have a propper regulator, the bottle has a tyre valve and the knob on the fitting unseats it a little. I found I was using bottles quite fast and on inspection found the pin in the controller wasn’t pressing it far enough. A strategic washer in the “regulator” cured it.

Incidentally mine uses plastic washer tubing, mite be the way if your rubber pipe is getting tired

Bob

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

Depending on the quality or complexity of the machine there may be numerous pipes both inside and out. To the solenoid valve, valve to front panel and the pipe in the feeder to the torch, Check all of them may be with soapy water. Be aware that this is an electric machine when using water !  “O” clips of the right size closed with a pair of old fashioned carpenters pliers are good or the VERY small jubillee (worm drive) type clips will go down to about 8mm, a good motor factor may have them for fuel pipe. Noel.

[Dave HalfordParticipant @davehalford22513]

Gas pressure should be around 3 to 9PSI. But this thread is 2 months old

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