Different diameter CGA-580 Argon connectors???

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Hi all,  I have a regulator that appears to have a male CGA-580 that is, believe it or not, too small.  In fact, it almost inserts when pushed (i.e., without actually screwing it in) into a female CGA-580 Argon bottle valve.  The male connector does not fit any of my female CGA-580 Argon valves properly.  Has anyone ever heard of such a problem? PS:  The (Chinese) regulator's male CGA-580 is 0.890" at it widest point (measured on the outside of the threads), while the female CGA-580's that I have are around 0.889" internally... The regulator's CGA-580 connection thus leaks gas, and in fact will probably completely blow off if I leave it on the Argon tank. Thanks!-Bill
Reply:Not to flame, but that's a good example of counterfiet chinese crap.
Reply:Have you considered that you don't have an argon regulator?This page has an excellent comparison of CGA gas valves:http://www.concoa.com/cgachart.htmlA CGA-510 is 1/8" smaller than a CGA-580, but has left handed threads.  Are the threads on your regulator left handed?  What is the range of the high pressure gauge on your regulator?
Reply:Good call rlitman, but mine is a Argon regulator, and the threads are RH (please see attached photo of my regulator).Strange thing that the CGA510 is so darn close to what I do have, except for the LH threads!   Attached Images
Reply:Here's a site which has pictures and dimensions of CGA fittings:http://www.westernenterprises.com/en...a_fittings.phpThe thread size for both 580 and 590 is .960"-14 NGO, one being left and the other right. The next smaller seem to be 540 (Oxygen) and 555 (Liquid propane/Butane) at  .908"-14 NGO.510 is supposed to be .880"-14 NGO, LH MaleNote that these are the outside of the male thread on the nut. I've seen dimensions for the nipples, but don't have them handy right now; I'd assume that site has them also, or let Google be your friend/helper!
Reply:Had the same problem with my POS 3 in 1 unit.  I was told by my LWS that those regulators are for medical use rather than welding gases.  I found some new connectors and installed them but the regulator leaks somewhere else.As a general rule on the import stuff, even when it works perfectly, one has to replace the regulator, ground clamp, gas hoses and stinger to get to a point where they are usable.
Reply:Originally Posted by stevewmHad the same problem with my POS 3 in 1 unit.  I was told by my LWS that those regulators are for medical use rather than welding gases.  I found some new connectors and installed them but the regulator leaks somewhere else.
Reply:I recommend an HTP flowmeter.  They cost about $40.  Don't waste your time with the chinese flowmeter.  IME, they have potmetal needle valves and seats, are prone to leaking and cracking, and also read the flow rate out in nonstandard "lpm" units.  An HTP flowmeter doesn't have any of these issues, and does not cost that much.Also recommend the harbor freight 400 amp brass ground clamp (It used to run $10, but looks like HF jacked their prices across the board pretty much.)  But it's a good clamp.You may or may not benefit from an aftermarket TIG torch to be worth the cost and effort of getting it, so I'd try the one you got first.  Depends on what torch came with your machine and how you will be using it.Still, you may find very good results with your import machine.  My Super200P (an older Everlast Mosfet machine) works great, and have used it for years.  The base machine itself is very solid I found, with many useful features and also quite a bit of metal melting power.  Cheers.Last edited by jakeru; 05-11-2011 at 02:54 PM.
Reply:I bought an Argon tank and regulator for my CT520D today.  The inlet on the machine is a simply brass nipple.  The regulator hose diameter is too small to simply cut off one end and clamp on the machine inlet.  Has anyone found a good solution to the problem?  Thanks.