Tips for purging SS

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Much has been discussed about how to set up "purge dams".Over the years, I've used a multitude of solutions from rubber stopper (for tube and pipe), to aluminum caps taped on, to wooden discs, to aluminum foil, etc, etc.The commercially available "purge kits" just never seemed to be ideal, and they're very expensive.In the past, for tube and pipe, I've used an assortment of rubber stoppers (test tube or beaker type) and just drilled a hole in them and inserted a short length of 1/4" SS tube to attach my purge hose.  The only problem I have experienced is that if welding too close to the plug, the rubber may tend to melt.Recently, I came across a supplier (www.widgetco.com) that offers silicone rubber stoppers in a multitude of sizes.  Prices are very reasonable.  I went ahead and ordered an assortment of sizes.  Very fast shipping and very happy with the product.The silicon rubber stoppers seem to take the heat a lot better than the previous black rubber ones.  Plus, they're easy to drill (using a 1/4" brad point woodworking bit) for your purge fitting.For those doing SS tube work, they're well worth checking out.For the "vent" I simply use aluminum tape (adhesive on one side) and poke a couple holes with .045 filler.  I get this tape from my hardware store, but it's readily available.  Designed for sealing high temp vents, etc.  The adhesive melts slightly, but is easily removed with just a swipe of acetone on a rag.Just a tip for those interested.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Originally Posted by SundownIII...Over the years, I've used a multitude of solutions from rubber stopper (for tube and pipe), to aluminum caps taped on, to wooden discs, to aluminum foil, etc, etc.....
Reply:ZT,LOLFor awhile there ol Billy Mac bout had the market covered.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Thanks for the tip, Sundown!
Reply:I prefer solarB flux vs purging. As long as it doesnt have to be clean on the inside when done.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:thats all some fancy stuff. We only got to use masking tape
Reply:thanks for the tip sundown.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:Thanks, SundownIII.  I've been using rubber plugs in the same way you have, with the contact surface wrapped with silicone tape, because I had no luck locally sourcing the full silicone plugs.  Got an order in now
Reply:After more thought, it seemed that some of our members are "more visual" and could benefit from some photos of what I'm describing.  The photos that follow are just a few different options about how to set up for purging SS.The first photo shows my gas hose attached to a standard inert gas regulator (Smith Model 30-150-580).  Since I use the Smith H1240 Selec-O-Gas flowmeter, the delivery pressure is set at 30 PSI.  This is the same regulator I use to feed the Thermco gas mixer, except for the mixer, the delivery pressure is adjusted to 100 PSI.  If someone wished to set this up for two flowmeters (one for the torch and one for the purge), it would be a simple matter to install a simple 1/4" NPT T at the output and feed two flowmeters.  Just be careful that both flowmeters require the same PSI input.The next photo shows the Smith 32-30-580 Selec-O-Gas Regulator/Flowmeter with a single hose feeding the tig welder.The third photo shows the same Smith 32-30-580 Regulator/Flowmeter with a brass nipple.  That nipple has a male 1/4" NPT fitting (which will attach to the regulator portion, and a 5/8" female hose attachment (standard gas hose fitting).The next photo shows my "homemade" base for the H1240 Selec-O-Gas flowmeter.  This can be fed by either the standard inert gas regulator (photo 1) or by the regulator portion of the 32-30-580 Selec-O-Gas flowmeter regulator.  With the inert gas regulator the delivery pressure is set for 30 PSI whereas the regulator portion of the regulator flowmeter, the delivery pressure is preset at 30 PSI.This post is continued in the next posting. Attached ImagesSyncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Continued....The next photo shows a sample piece of 1" SS thinwall tubing (boat rail).  The silicon rubber stopper with SS tube (for attaching purge hose) is shown in this photo.  For this photo I used the aluminum tape to "close" the tube.  For venting I simply poke a couple holes with .045 filler.The second photo shows the same SS tube with two stoppers.  One for the feeder hose, and one for the vent side.  Here I can not only adjust the input flow, but also the vent side using the "vent valve".  This is handy when you wish to maintain a slight "positive pressure on the vessel you're welding.  Last year I had to replace the ends on two large SS marine mufflers.  For "stoppers" I cut two plywood discs 6" in diameter and inserted a feedline connector in one and the valve on the discharge side.  Used the gorila duct tape to hold them in place.The third photo shows a simple tube welding jig I made up for holding tube in alignment.  Simply a piece of scrap 1/4" plate about 3" wide.  To that I welded a piece of 1" angle.  Then took the portaband and cut out a notch for welding purposes.  This works well on the bench or "in position" on a boat rail.  I use the stronghand clamps to secure the tubing to the fixture.Nothing in this post is "rocket science" but may give some of our newer posters some ideas about little "shop built" items that make life easier.The remote flowgauge has been a real stepsaver.  I can set it right next to the work and adjust my flowrate (for purging) without having to keep going back to the bottles.  I use the same remote flowgauge with the Thermco gas mixer (for mixing mig gases).  The Thermco mixer (which does not have it's own flowmeter like the Smith's) delivers the gas at 30 PSI.  I then attach the remote flowmeter directly to the mig welder so I control the flow right at the welder rather than at the bottles.For the guys doing header/manifold work on the bench, the silicon rubber stoppers and remote flowmeter can come in really handy.  With the remote flowmeter, I can quickly achieve a full purge and then dial it back to a "maintenance flow" all without leaving the stool.Maybe some other posters will add their own "purge solutions" since this seems to be an area where many of the new guys are sorta "in the dark". Attached ImagesSyncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:FWIW you can get a NICE silicone plug kit from Cawell Plating.Depending on what specific size you can also get a  a bunch from mcmaster.Miller Diversion 180Hobart Handler 140 (Soon to be replaced with Miller 211?)Miller Spectrum 625 Extreme
Reply:Holy Crap! Jay posted Pics!!  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:Argon is heavier than Oxy. so remember it will lay on the bottom of your vessel so don't put the bleed hole below your weld.......  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:BC that pict makes you look like an Islamic radical about to make a suicide video. .No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:I thought it was a pic of Billy Mac after his tin foil hat slupmed over his face.
Reply:Heck BC,I had you in mind when I posted up that picture of the remote flowmeter.When I'm sitting at the bench, I never even have to get up to adjust my purge flow.  I've seen a couple of jobs done in your shop where that would have been really convenient.Got to be careful with the tin foil though.  Think maybe Billy Mac had a patent on them.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:I use a dual regulator after the welder, easiest way to have a semi automatic purge.I have a valve on my torch and a valve inline to my workI can adjust the flow to my torch and to the work right at the bench. by having the dual regulator after the welder I don't need 2 tanks and my purge is turned on and off right by the welder itself.to begin a purge I close the torch valve and open the work valve full and tap the pedal... the purge begins at a pretty high rate,  I judge the size of the work and where the weld is in relation to gravity,  if my post flow is set at 10 seconds and I want a 30 second pre-purge it takes three taps of the pedal, then I reduce the work flow to a level to just keep the work "full", open the torch valve and weld.it screws into the welders gas port and then the torch screws right into one of the dual outputs. when I'm not backpurging the second output just stays closed. I used to have times that I would either forget to turn the purge on or times I'd forget to turn the purge off, this setup eliminated all these problems for me,makes the process more foolproof and automatic, with easier controlwith a purge I visualize the gas as being invisible water, because that's about how it flows in and out of the work.if I'm welding at a high point I will close off my vent a bit and flood a bit more flow for that weld making sure it's filled all the way to the topotherwise it is pretty much like an air bubble at the very top of this "invisible water". I use silicone plugs with outlet tubes that I can restrict flow to increase pressure, useful when there is plenty of open seams still and argon loss will be higher, the invisible water will be pissing out from any seams and not filling all the way to the very topit's always best to try to orient your weld to be at a lower, easier to fill area. here the argon fill is easier to achieve.if you have to weld at the very highest point then increase flow enough to really flood the work wellLast edited by turbocad6; 05-26-2012 at 02:17 AM.miller 330a bp TIGmiller dynasty 200DX TIGmillermatic 185 MIGthermal dynamics cutmaster 101 plasma cuttersnap-on YA5550 plasma cutterhypertherm powermax 30 plasma cutterbaileigh CS225 cold sawetc....
Reply:Anyone know off the top of their heads what would be needed to adapt the 411 Y fitting to dual regulators?  This is the Western "411" 5/8" Y fitting.  Will this be something I can find at local hardware stores?