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Running out of Argon.
Doug68 - 8/8/07 at 02:55 PM

4 days ago I ran out of welding gas for the TIG and it's going to be a couple more before I can get a refill.

The trouble is I'm getting withdrawal symptoms from not being able to go weld on the car.

Is this normal?

More seriously I was wondering about the last welds done before the gas ran out. When it properly stopped the lack of gas was obvious, but prior to that the welds looked great.
My gut feeling is these welds are just fine but I'd like a professionals opinion on the subject if we can get one.

Thanks,


Ivan - 8/8/07 at 03:26 PM

I asked the same question of my welder who is German trained to weld submarine pressure hulls etc and he told me it's OK with our type of mig welding to weld until the gas runs out as one immediately sees the poor weld and it's a minor job to make good.

As an aside I never thought of it, but for major equipment repairs for submarines and warships, and I quess other ships, they just cut a hole in the side to get access and then weld it shut


Minicooper - 8/8/07 at 03:58 PM

Sure do just cut an enormous hole in the side and then use train tracks to take 200 tonne engines out, put a new ones in and weld shut.
Using the last of the argon is fine as long as it maintaining the pressure and causing no porosity

Cheers
David


caber - 8/8/07 at 04:45 PM

Withdrawl symptoms from lack of Argon Ohmigod no one told me it was addictive!!!!

Caber


tks - 8/8/07 at 05:11 PM

perhaps it means that your argon pressure is higher then needed

Tks