AHP alphaTIG 200X. Anybody got one?

[Mayhem]

(08-29-2015, 12:44 PM)Highpower Wrote: ...Another thing to remember (on non-fuel cylinders) is to open the valve on the tank ALL the way to prevent leaks past the valve stem on the tank. The inert gas tanks have valves with TWO seats in them - one to shut off the tank when closed, and one to seal off the stem when FULLY open and seated at the top of the valve. It's different on FUEL cylinders (Acetylene, propane, etc.) where you only want to open the valves slightly so they can be turned off quickly if something bad happens...

I didn't know that Willie - thanks for the tip.

[arvidj]

+1 on the "didn't know" and thanks for the tip Willie!!

[Highpower]

Yeah, well let's just say I learned the hard way myself. I've emptied out a couple of cylinders of various gases overnight by either forgetting to close the valves or saying "Ill be right back at this in the morning, so I won't bother closing the valves tonight". This was before I learned about the dual seating valves too, and would routinely only partially open the cylinder valves.  

Which reminds me... I need to get the Argon tank on my Syncrowave filled again.    

[Roadracer_Al]

+1. Makes me real sad when I let $50 worth of gas escape in to thin air...

[f350ca]

My mig and tig can sit for 2 or 3 weeks with the cylinder off, holding full pressure on the regulator. Open the valve and you can barely see the HP needle move. Must have incredible solenoid valves in them. My torches on the other hand are a different story.

[EdK]

Joe,

Any more news on your new TIG welder? I'm real tempted to get one of those. I've read that you can use TIG welders in the basement without a problem because they don't emit the smoke and sparks like MIG does. That would allow me to do some welding during our long, cold Minnesota winters. I don't seem to be able to find the time to weld in the summer months.

Ed

[Highpower]

I do TIG in the basement and even short runs of MIG, but I still use my vent system (range hood) to keep fresh air coming in and fumes going out. Welding blankets too, to keep sparks and splatter contained using the MIG. Even though you rarely get smoke and sparks from TIG you are still pumping out Argon into your basement which displaces your breathing air - so you need to be mindful of that.

Stick welding is definitely done outside unless it is raining. I have in the past set up just inside the door way when it was raining and had fans blowing the smoke and fumes out the door. It wasn't ideal, but it worked. If it wasn't a rush job I definitely would have waited for another (dry) day.  

[EdK]

I could set up a range hood without a problem and I do have welding blankets.

Ed