Gas lens not working

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Hi everyone, first post and I'm hoping someone can help.I've been trying to get a gas lens setup working on mild steel, but no luck.  As soon as I hit the pedal, I get crackling and bubbles in the pool, just like bad gas coverage.   It does seem to smooth out a bit as I get going.  I've tried adjusting the flow from 10 CFH all the way to 25 CFH in 2 CFH increments, but no joy.  Odd thing is when I get to around 20 CFH, it gets worse... tungsten even gets discolored.I'm using a 17 series torch, have all the proper parts, Dynasty 200DX at 120A on 1/8 mild steel.  Checked for argon leaks, 100% good there.  Steel is super clean, and welds perfectly with a standard setup.Do you need to increase the pre-flow time so that the flow 'gets going' smoothly?Everyone says that a gas lens works great... I must be doing something wrong
Reply:First, are you using a float ball meter or a dial meter? A dial meter can lie to you. They still show a flow setting when no gas is actually flowing. A float ball shows you exactly what's flowing, so if you have an obstruction, you can tell.Next, loosen your back cap way up, take off the cup, and make sure that the lens body is screwed down tight. I've heard some say that the back cap can screw too far in and block the gas ports.Be sure that you're running the right gas. Is it a new bottle? I've gotten bad gas from the supplier before. Mild steel would pinhole really bad. Changed the bottle and everything was fine. Sent it back.A little extra pre-flow never hurts...
Reply:how old is the gas lens?  they plug up after being in use for a while......sounds like your problem....especially if it welds good with conventional cup....Myself I only use them with stainless or Titanium  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:Another thing to check for is uncrack your backcap just a tad, remove you front end parts and look inside to see if the backcap has cut off the gas port leading to your gas lense.If you don't have the gas lense screwed in all the way, or your collet is crushed or too short, this will happen. Check your backcap for a hole in the end too.You can check your gas lense by blowing in the back and closing off tungsten hole in front with finger. If it looks or feels bad you can peel a screen off to see if it helps. Don't think this is the case but good luck.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Good point I never thought about that .............  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:I have a 10 pack of lens bodies, all new.  I think the gas is good, I've gone through about half of the 200cf bottle on mild and stainless with no problems using standard collets.  I made sure everything was tight. Originally Posted by welds4dFirst, are you using a float ball meter or a dial meter? A dial meter can lie to you. They still show a flow setting when no gas is actually flowing. A float ball shows you exactly what's flowing, so if you have an obstruction, you can tell..