Gas Cylinder Valve

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You know the valve on top of the gas cylinder itself for MIG welding? That's the one I mean.A month or two ago, I managed to spring a leak in my pressure regulator thingamabob that came with my Hobart Handler 140. It was only a few months old. It worked perfectly until I turned the gas on all the way. I had always turned the gas on all the way before. Is opening the cylinder valve all the way bad for the regulator thingamabob, or did I open it too fast or something? The leak is coming from the little hole thingie on the bottom (By bottom I mean with the gauges pointing up, not the control knob pointing up). It's not a particularly bad leak, but it just bugs me enough to bother to turn off my cylinder every time I'm going to stop welding to cut or grind something instead of just when I'm done with everything/leaving it for a while. I want to know so I don't ruin another regulator or worsen the problem.I managed to reduce the leak by disassembling it and messing with some parts in it before reassembling it (It hasn't exploded yet, so I'm assuming I put it together right). I actually ended up taking apart every single thing that I didn't need to take off before I realized I only had to take off one or two things to get to what I needed. Oops.Also, would it be possible to completely fix the leak aside from simply plugging up the hole? The hole is definitely a part of the design, so I don't want to plug it up since it might just be a safety feature or something. Or would I be better off just buying a new regulator? I'd rather not spend the $50-100 or whatever it is for a new regulator if it turns out to be possible to fix it for like $10.
Reply:First, do not plug that hole. If manufacturer didn't want/need that hole there they wouldn't have. This appears to be on the body/stem section of the regulator. This regulator must be taken out of service and repaired by a professional and tested by that professional before you put it back into service. A regulator on any bottle is dangerous, but on CO2 or nitrogen the tank pressures are typically 2500psi or above on a new bottle. Your regulators should be kept free of dusts, dirts, oils, and grease especially oxygen, acetylene, and propane cylinders. Every wants to not spend any money for repair/replacement of tools and/or equipment, but that's part of making a living. If you take care of your equipments and tools, they'll make you a good living for many years. Please don't F....around with this. It is not a game.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:If you had not taken it apart I would have said take it back where you bought the machine(TSC,Rural King etc?) and see if they would replace under warranty. Since you DID take it apart take it to a Miller dealer and see if they will help.It is a Smith regulator, Smith,Hobart and Miller are all sibling companies if you were not aware of that.
Reply:We are talking about the regulator/flow meter NOT the cylinder valve. That leak tells me that your HP seat is probably failing for what ever reason. That "hole" is there to vent excess pressure so you don't burst a hose or damage other items or cause injury. If under warranty, take it in for replacement/repair. If not, you will either need to replace it or repair it. Small inexpensive units like this are seldom worth repairing. Most times you can get a new one for what it will cost to repair it properly. I think the last one I got was something like $35..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:Thank you for your answers, everyone. I guess I'll just spring for a new one. I figured the hole was important, so I made sure I didn't just stick something in there and block it up.
Reply:Technically you are supposed to turn off the cylinder valve, purge/drain the regulator to zero.Unscrew the regulator adjustment screw until it no longer puts pressure on the diagphram.Store like this until next use.Crack the cylinder valve open slowly, allow the HP gauge to reach full pressure, then continue opening the cylinder valve until it seats all the way open.Then adjust the regulator adjustment screw to the desire pressure/flow rate desired.Do We All do this?No probably not!
Reply:Open acetylene 1 full turn, Open oxygen all the way until it backseats. Close oxygen first, then acetylene. And do what was said above about purge lines and back off adjusters I regulators. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk