TIG Argon Usage??

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Hey everyone,I got my AHP tig welder the other day and after getting it set up it reads 14 cfh while welding. After a what felt like just a few minutes of welding the first day, a few the second day, and maybe 10-15 minutes the third day it shows my tank lost over 20 cfh. I can feel the argon blowing out of the cup pretty decent so I dont know if the regulator is misreading or not. Is there any way to check without purchasing another regulator?Thanks in advance,Kyle
Reply:Check to make sure all your connections are tight and no leaks.   When I got my second welder it burned through a tank quickly.   Went back and re tightened all connections and it's much better.
Reply:I havent looked into it but is teflon tape okay for all the connections?
Reply:Usually the fittings don't require Teflon tape.  Get a bottle of soapy water and spray fittings first to check for leaks.  Careful not to get any into welder.
Reply:Well stupid mistake on my part... I had my regulator set at 30 cfh because I was reading the wrong scale. Could that mess with the weld with it being that high? I was running beads on 1/16" sheet metal.
Reply:short answer is yes.  Can create turbulence that actually draws in air and contaminates.  How did the welds turn out?  Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Reply:You didn't tell us how big your tank is?
Reply:It is a 120 or 125 cant remember the exact number. The welds looked pretty weird for the most part, took quite a few amps to get anything to happen and it would not take filler rod for anything. By the way im using 3/32 thor tungsten and 3/32 filler. I know its a little large but I have to go purchase the 1/16 setup this week.
Reply:Yea 3/32 filler wont run on that sheet metal for anything, unless you are pretty good. You can use mig wire twisted up to run thin sheet, instead of possibly buying .040 filler rod.Also, the regulator that comes with that unit is crap, inaccurate. When you get the extra coin around, buy a ball flow meter.
Reply:Lots of questions here. How do you know it lost 20 CFH?  You mean 20 cubic feet?  Or do you mean TANK PRESSURE in psi?No Teflon tape, those fittings seal like a flair fitting.  The threads just mechanicall force the cone in to seal.  If you want, the tiniest dab of Teflon paste wiped on the flanged section.Check all fittings with soapy water.Check and adjust the flow while the gas is flowing, not while the machine is set up and the gas solenoid is off. Tank pressure drops logarithmically, so it drops fastere the more the tank is emptied.
Reply:Okay, I went today and purchased a floating flow meter, it was pretty high...i believe it was called a WeldMaster or something along those lines. I have my argon set at 12cfh now for a number 5 cup, which cup is better (5, 6, or 7)... I have all three. I also got a 1/16 thor tungsten setup with 1/16 filler which was the smallest the had in stock. I dont have any leaks, with the new regulator hopefully gas use is much less and my welds will look much better. I anyone has any suggestions as to any different cups, tungsten or sizes I am open to all.Thanks,Kyle
Reply:Most people will tell you that a #7 cup is best for all around general work.
Reply:I use the big 300 CF tank, It frightens me how quickly it is empty. I have a little tank for those remote little jobs, or if I run out when it isn't convenient to swap out the big one. I'm tempted to get a second big one, so a project need not be interrupted.
Reply:Originally Posted by krstull93Okay, I went today and purchased a floating flow meter, it was pretty high...i believe it was called a WeldMaster or something along those lines. I have my argon set at 12cfh now for a number 5 cup, which cup is better (5, 6, or 7)... I have all three. I also got a 1/16 thor tungsten setup with 1/16 filler which was the smallest the had in stock. I dont have any leaks, with the new regulator hopefully gas use is much less and my welds will look much better. I anyone has any suggestions as to any different cups, tungsten or sizes I am open to all.Thanks,Kyle
Reply:From what I understand that is the sole purpose of a gas lens. The ability to reduce gas useage due to a more uniform and direct gas coverage "cloud"
Reply:I was actually about to order the stubby gas lens kit and a tig finger.
Reply:I switched out the standard collet and collet body on my 17 torch with a stubby gas lens kit and didn't notice any difference in the ideal flow rate in my setup.  I used 15 cfh in both cases.  I tried the gas lens kit at 10-12 cfh and noticed a I wasn't welding quite as smoothly so I set it back to 15.  Was hoping the gas lens kit would save me a little gas but doesn't appear that its going to.
Reply:I like little tiny cups...Modified #4.....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:You might want to try a larger gas lens I'm running a medium size lens #6&7 cups I can weld shiny beautiful stainless at 7-10 cfh with stick out up to 3/4"Thermal arc 211iCk flex-loc 150 & 130Clamps, saws & grindersHarbor freight 80 amp inverter
Reply:On the topic of gas usage I've went through two 80cf bottles of argon.  and my 75/25 mig gas is still half full or half empty depending on how you look at it. Which makes no sense although I did leave the bottle on for like three days once. Guess I have a slow leak. Thermal arc 211iCk flex-loc 150 & 130Clamps, saws & grindersHarbor freight 80 amp inverter