Gas fittings

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Hello,Does the regulator gasket on the cga-580 fitting to the cylinder need to be changed each time the regulator is removed from the cylinder ?Also the gas hose is connected to my MM180 with a brass compression fitting(no gasket)does this require any special care when removing ?thxL
Reply:I don't know all the part numbers of different regulator types, but going by the machine you have it connected to, I will assume you are using a compressed gas argon regulator/flowmeter and a standard compressed gas argon/mix gas bottle.   If this is the case, just screw/unscrew the regulator from the tank whenever needed and tighten snugly in place.  No need to replace anything on the regulator unless it is leaking.On the fitting at the machine, no special care to remove/install, other than don't accidentally cross-thread it or grossly over tighten it.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:ok thanks,I have to be away for a few weeks so I am dismantling the regulator and putting the cap back on the cylinder for protection.
Reply:CGA-580 connections usually have a brass conical seat with a metal-to-metal connection that needs to be wrench tightened.Some CGA-580 regulators have a groove cut into their cone, with an o-ring inserted.  That gives a good seal with much less force, so those regulators often have a hand-wheel for tightening.  That o-ring should last a long time.  However, bleed off the pressure, before removing the regulator from the valve.  The o-ring will easily tear, if you loosen the connection while there is still high pressure inside.Gas hoses typically have a conical seat, just like oxygen and acetylene hoses.  Those should be tightened with a wrench (just so you don't damage the fitting).  I would say somewhere around finger-tight +1/8 turn with wrench, or so.  Kind of like a spark plug.That is NOT a compression fitting.  Its actually a gas flare.On a different note, CGA-320 valves, which are used just for CO2, have gaskets, which do not like to be reused.