Argon tank, tight valve?

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So I thought my 330cu argon tank was closed but I guess it was just slightly on and I lost like 300psi with it just sitting around for a week. Anyway, the valve is REALLY tight. I'm a decently big guy and I have to crank down on this thing with all my might to get it to turn. (open or close)I don't want to bring it back to my gas supplier and be a hassle because they did me a solid getting the cylinder to begin with. Is there a way to grease this thing up without it being empty?Would WD40 get in there or would it destroy o-rings?www.FirehouseFabricators.comZachLincoln 210mpLincoln SW200Hypertherm Powermax 45xp2x4 CNC Plasma Table.
Reply:I had a smaller tank with a valve like that. I just lived with it until I swapped for a full cylinder. I used a wrench to make sure it was closed when I finished each time. If it is a full tank, I would probably ask them to swap. It will take a while to use up a 330 tank. Well, not nearly as long if it leaks!DO NOT oil or grease. Let them do any valve maintenance.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:Originally Posted by wb4rtI had a smaller tank with a valve like that. I just lived with it until I swapped for a full cylinder. I used a wrench to make sure it was closed when I finished each time. If it is a full tank, I would probably ask them to swap. It will take a while to use up a 330 tank. Well, not nearly as long if it leaks!DO NOT oil or grease. Let them do any valve maintenance.
Reply:Might just be a temperature difference from when you first looked at it. Otherwise soap all you connections and look for leaks.
Reply:Originally Posted by walkerMight just be a temperature difference from when you first looked at it. Otherwise soap all you connections and look for leaks.
Reply:BrooklynBravestDemo the valve to your LWS and they should give you a full replacement - no cost.This is what my LWS has always done for me when a valve is bad. The bottle bled-out because you couldn't turn it off, valves are their responsibility.Opus
Reply:I agree with Opus if you are certain that it isn't just from temperature change.GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:Temperature hasn't changed at all so...www.FirehouseFabricators.comZachLincoln 210mpLincoln SW200Hypertherm Powermax 45xp2x4 CNC Plasma Table.
Reply:Opus is right on, they should work with you on it.
Reply:With the valve shut off, mine reads pressure several days. I'd guess you have a leak after it leaves the tank also.
Reply:Originally Posted by Willie BWith the valve shut off, mine reads pressure several days. I'd guess you have a leak after it leaves the tank also.
Reply:^^^^^^^Why should it still read pressure?  When I am finished welding I turn off the valve and hit the pedal to let post flow clear the line.  All pressure drops to zero.Dynasty 280DXCoolmate 3Lincoln AC 225 TombstoneVictor Oxy/acetylene
Reply:Originally Posted by Heartdoc^^^^^^^Why should it still read pressure?  When I am finished welding I turn off the valve and hit the pedal to let post flow clear the line.  All pressure drops to zero.
Reply:Occasionally there will will be a tank with a difficult valve. Just the way it goes. You can do yourself a big favor by making sure there are no down stream leaks. That way on those rare (  ) times you forget to shut the valve off it won't be a total loss. But $$ is a good teacher .. Lose enough of whatever kind of gases enough times and it'll be 2nd nature to shut the valves off before exiting the shop for the day. I'll find myself checking valves whenever I walk by them."The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:If your regulator or machine is leaking, you're losing gas even when you're using it. I'd fix that prontoTeach Ag Mech - Mike At Home:Lincoln Electric AC225Miller Challenger 172Gas AxeWork:eclectic bunch of 90's vintage blue boxes
Reply:My tanks are usually 2200 totally full.  And those are from Clinton, same supplier.  Soap test it with the valve closed.  If it's leaking, either bring it back or leave a regulator set on 0 flow in there.  Soap test that too.  As for bringing it back now, only you have a feel for that.   If you feel that they've already extended themselves to the point where they think you're a PITA, then just eat it and deal.  Save up your reputation there for a rainier day than this.Both the owner and the counter guy there (bandana and one eye guy) are solid dudes.Last edited by Drf255; 10-09-2014 at 05:18 AM.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Originally Posted by Willie BWhy??
Reply:Originally Posted by HeartdocWhen I am finished welding I turn off the valve and hit the pedal to let post flow clear the line.  All pressure drops to zero.
Reply:That seems like a waste to me. O/A makes sense for how the regulators are built, but the diaphragm is so small in the flow meter(and it's not adjustable) that bleeding the excess isn't necessary. We're not talking about a large volume of gas, but I like to leave it pressurized after turning the valve off. Let's me see the condition of my system and how much it leaks off.Teach Ag Mech - Mike At Home:Lincoln Electric AC225Miller Challenger 172Gas AxeWork:eclectic bunch of 90's vintage blue boxes
Reply:I was told in class that you purge the line for two reasons;1) confirm the gas is off2) less stress on the system.I kind of doubt there is much stress when there is only 15 PSI at 15 cfh.Dan