Argon problems

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Hey all I have been having problems with tig porosity, my flow meter or regulator is fogging up and is getting condensation on it and I get a poor arc and popping and porosity. Please help
Reply:What is your flow? Sounds like a lot.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:20 Cfh on #8 cup and 30 cfh on 1 inch cup
Reply:Are you sure your gas is 100 percent argon?Thermal arc 211iCk flex-loc 150 & 130Clamps, saws & grindersHarbor freight 80 amp inverter
Reply:Originally Posted by Austin BennettAre you sure your gas is 100 percent argon?
Reply:I've  seen argon frost with high enough flow.Long after the price is forgotten, the quality will remain.Both of my Poppy's 1954 Short Hoods -Third generation to weld with it and teaching a fourthSA 2## - Bought and sold more than I can remember or care to list, 8 in the shop right now
Reply:I'm on my 2nd tank so hope it's not contaminated
Reply:But it  keep doing same thing
Reply:You sure your flow is correct? Any pinched hoses or leaks anywhere?JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Checked it and yea
Reply:Dumb question but I have to ask, are you reading in cubic feet per hour or liters per minute?Liters per minute is almost double CFH. Is your flow meter an el-Cheapo deluxe or a reliable brand? It sounds like a simple yet overlooked solution.Thermal arc 211iCk flex-loc 150 & 130Clamps, saws & grindersHarbor freight 80 amp inverter
Reply:It's cfh and I have converted it both ways
Reply:Try reducing to 10 or less. See if it makes any difference. Fogging on inside or outside of meter?Not a lot of pressure in a TIG torch. with High gas flow it might pull air into the gas hose anywhere there is a leak. Plus with high gas flow it will pull air into the arc zone.With a DC arc there should be almost no sound and the arc should not move around.If it sounds like a little rocket engine, then air is getting in.One other cause of porosity is contamination on or in the metal.Two more things, how long before gauge fogs up and what does the label say on the gas bottleType or Mix of gas is??
Reply:Was it a new cylinder you just picked up? I worked at a couple places that got bad argon. One the fill plant was suspected of being in a hurry and not purging the cylinders before refilling. Mostly noticeable on aluminum. The other had to dump $5000 worth of Argon from their bulk liquid container for the same reason. They just dumped it to the atmosphere in big cloud. I'm surprised someone didn't come and slap them with a big fine. It's possible your cylinder was used as a mix gas cylinder in the past. I've heard of mix gas freezing up on MIG in a manifold system or high duty cycle but TIG seems really odd.
Reply:Originally Posted by Welder DaveWas it a new cylinder you just picked up? I worked at a couple places that got bad argon. One the fill plant was suspected of being in a hurry and not purging the cylinders before refilling. Mostly noticeable on aluminum. The other had to dump $5000 worth of Argon from their bulk liquid container for the same reason. They just dumped it to the atmosphere in big cloud. I'm surprised someone didn't come and slap them with a big fine. It's possible your cylinder was used as a mix gas cylinder in the past. I've heard of mix gas freezing up on MIG in a manifold system or high duty cycle but TIG seems really odd.
Reply:It fogs after like 1 hr
Reply:Outside of meter
Reply:One hour of constant welding? How large is your cylinder? Maybe you need a bigger bottle of gas.Thermal arc 211iCk flex-loc 150 & 130Clamps, saws & grindersHarbor freight 80 amp inverter
Reply:Originally Posted by HT2-4956Welder Dave,In case you're un aware the Argon we use for welding is distilled directly from the atmosphere around us.  When they dumped that bulk tank all they did was let that Argon get back to where it originally was (dispersed in the atmosphere).