Welding Gas Reminder

[randii]

Dammit, I left the tank on yet again. :rolleyes: ...and the gas bled off until the tank was flat, yet again. :shaking:

I keep a spare tank around because this isn't the first time I have been absent-minded (C.R.S. seems worse when I'm stressed), but there HAS to be a better way.

I'm getting tempted to tie a loop of rope to the welding cart, and loop that around my neck whenever I turn the gas on... if I need to walk away, I need to be turning the gas off anyway.

What do you folks do that works for you -- or are you just less absent-minded?

Randii

[Big91RustyBucket]

Dammit, I left the tank on yet again. :rolleyes: ...and the gas bled off until the tank was flat, yet again. :shaking:

I keep a spare tank around because this isn't the first time I have been absent-minded (C.R.S. seems worse when I'm stressed), but there HAS to be a better way.

I'm getting tempted to tie a loop of rope to the welding cart, and loop that around my neck whenever I turn the gas on... if I need to walk away, I need to be turning the gas off anyway.

What do you folks do that works for you -- or are you just less absent-minded?

Randii

I have done it once , or twice. The first time I couldn't figure out what happened. Then I realized the bottle was open. Next time , I closed the bottle , and then realized the hose going into the welder was loose. Now I always turn the bottle off , and check the fittings bout once every time or two I use it. I remind my friends who use my welder , and my one friend is borrowing my welder right now , and now had to fill my bottle since he left it on.
Oh well the more times you screw up the more you beat it into your head. It gets to be an expensive lesson.

[84CJ7LT1]

I hang my mask off the valve so that when I am done with the mask I turn off the gas.

[guidolyons]

I hang my mask off the valve so that when I am done with the mask I turn off the gas.
x2
I do the same thing.

[Backncardr]

x2

[krugford]

I hang my mask on the tank as well, but I have left the gas on a time or two anyway. Have you checked all your fittings? Last time I left the gas on with a new tank, I only lost a couple hundred psi by the next day.

I've found it's easier to develope an obsession with making sure the tank is closed. I put my hand on it everytime I walk by...

[PTSchram]

I've found it's easier to develope an obsession with making sure the tank is closed. I put my hand on it everytime I walk by...

Glad to know I'm not the only one!:flipoff2:

I can't walk past a compressed gas tank without reaching out to close it (if it's not in use, of course).

In the past, I had a note on the door of my condo telling me to turn the stove off, feed the cat and take my keys with me!

The only thing worse than my OCD is my ADD:D

[DESracing]

I am one of those people who always has to put a hand on cylinder valves to make sure they are closed. I learned this the hard way after running out of nitrogen at the race track and scrambling around trying to barrow more nitrogen 10 minutes before a race, NOT FUN! I have gotten out of bed in the middle of the night before to make sure i shut the argon off after tig welding that day.

[BumpyDodge]

This sticker helps if you have the opposite problem :flipoff2:
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d82/TJshare/PBB/s006.jpg

[dopeassjackson]

Glad to know I'm not the only one!:flipoff2:

I can't walk past a compressed gas tank without reaching out to close it (if it's not in use, of course).

In the past, I had a note on the door of my condo telling me to turn the stove off, feed the cat and take my keys with me!

The only thing worse than my OCD is my ADD:D
i do the same and usualy go around before i shut the door for the last time and check every thing.

you could put a note on the power switch that says bottle or somthing.

[Caper]

obsess like a fat teenage girl doing her hair.

my friends hate me because i turn off thier gas when they aren't looking/not using the welder for last 20minutes. then the unsheilded weld lets you know to turn it back on. :flipoff2:

it only took me loosing 3 bottles to learn.

same with the torches. just get into laying your hand on them all the time.

[rock mafia]

Mine does not leak:flipoff2:



































If it did, I'd have to refill it every day.

[ChrisCo]

The only thing worse than my OCD is my ADD:D

:lmao:

I wish I had a tank for my welder so I could have this problem... however, I do have the OCD thing for a lot of others... Locking doors (on the truck, and on the way out of the shop); double and triple checking jackstands, trailer hookups, tiedowns, etc. Pretty much anything that could lead to a loss or dangerous situation, 'cuz my CRS is especially powerful with short term things. I'm sure I'll get the turn-the-tank-off version of OCD when I finally do get a tank...

OCD, ADD, and CRS. I'm SOL :eek:

[jnutter]

One more for hanging the helmet on the tank valve.

[DozerDan]

Just make it a habit to do it.

I check mine at least 3 times a few times before I close up for the night. It does not leak but with any tank it has been a habit of mine to check and recheck.

Just start doing it, you will eventually do it as second nature.

[miniyota]

my tank ran out in a week. i even shut the valve every night and if i'm not welding i shut the valve. found out today my valve was leaking. i took it back and got a new bottle for free. it went from 2000psi down to 100 psi in one week. i can usually make my tank last 3-4 weeks.

spray windex or soapy water on your fittings to find you leaks.

[ToddRH]

Turn on machine...turn on tank,

Turn off machine, turn off tank.



This saves both gas and power.

[kwrangln]

Turn on machine...turn on tank,

Turn off machine, turn off tank.



This saves both gas and power.

This does it for me.

I also am a bit ocd since I'm a bit forgetful. When I leave the house or work I check my pockets, keys, phone, smokes, wallet, good to go. When I close up the shop I check the important stuff, unplug the tools, kill the power strips, shut down welder, turn off all bottles, take a last look around, then close the door.

It's all about habits, create a habit and you'll miss a lot less.

[Jeepermat]

I am obsessed with checking the valve, I check it every time I walk by it, doesnt matter if I have been using it or not.

[MQYJ]

For me, I look at the tank gauge on the flow regulator every time I walk by it and I get so damn mad at how much it costs to refill any tank that I can't wait to be able to close the valve. lol

[7.62FMJ]

I only use my O/A torch for short periods of time (for now), and I turn them off as soon as I am finished with them. I stick weld, so no tank there. One of these days I'll get a bottle of Argon and Tig some...

[jmhinescj]

I'm usually good about turning it on and off with the power switch...but a couple of weeks ago I left a brand new bottle on while I went out of town for the last three days of the week. Went to weld Saturday morning and had an empty tank.

Iv'e been thinking about putting a big note by the garage door opener or light switch...or maybe on a hinged cover or something that I would have to touch before I close down.

[90Beater]

Turn on machine...turn on tank,

Turn off machine, turn off tank.



This saves both gas and power.

I was going to post this as well. :smokin:

[PTSchram]

Went to weld Saturday morning and had an empty tank.

Iv'e been thinking about putting a big note by the garage door opener or light switch...or maybe on a hinged cover or something that I would have to touch before I close down.

Empty tanks is why I have tiny little bottles of almost every gas I use! I have nightmares of running out of CO2 just after bringing a keg home:D

I like the hinged cover idea, there are plenty of alternatives available to do just this, like the outdoor outlet covers. I know what I'm getting the next time I'm at the lumberyard!

[DRM]

You know, you'd think it would be pretty easy to wire in an electric safety valve that mounted between the regulator and the hose to the welder that closed when you killed power to the tank.

Maybe I need to invent and sell one of those...

[Toddy]

In reality that is what is on the machine. Valve doesnt open until you pull the trigger. Only think it would be is less fittings at the tank to leak down.

My welder is wired in with my compressor. I always turn the comp. off at night and make have made a habbit of checking the bottle after I flip the switch. Check all your fittings and just make a habbit of doing it every time you leave.

Toddy

[XtremeJ]

Are you guys leak testing your connections every time you hook up a new bottle?

Use some soapy water, and spray every connection (regulator and welder). You will be surprised how many times you think you have a good connection, and there is gas leaking out.

I also try to remember to turn off the bottle every time I turn off the welder, and double check by hanging my helmet on the regulator cage. Triple check is when I close up shop, and physically close every bottle (Mig, Tig, and Oxy/A), as well as the compressor (lever and switch), and kill the fans and lights.

Still forget occasionally.

[Todd W]

Mine will empty too, helmet on regulator never forgets. Knock on wood...

It's just become habit, I do it even with my argon bottle now, and c02, for me everytime I walk by if I`m not welding I check... even if I haven't welded in a day! L O L.

[PAToyota]

Dammit, I left the tank on yet again. :rolleyes: ...and the gas bled off until the tank was flat, yet again. :shaking:

Sorry, but just had this mental picture of a tank sitting all deflated like a beach ball in the corner and had to laugh... :laughing:

[BB1980]

Find something weird that you can set on top of the tank. It will make you look at the tank more often, kinda like a string on your finger. Sure, you'll be like "WTF?" but then you'll remember to check the valve.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1233/1351381643_85872694ce.jpg?v=0

Or get one of those rotating lights like EMS and have it on when you turn the gas on, but that might get annoying.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5172G03H41L._SL160_.jpg

[randii]

Maybe I need to invent and sell one of those...
Make it cheaper than the two tanks of gas I've pissed away this year and I'll buy it. :rolleyes:

Looks like I need to get a small squirt bottle of soapy water and leave it next to the tank. I can use it to spritz the connections to check the seal -- and when I forget to turn odd the tank, I can squirt it directly in my eyes as a form of aversive therapy. :evil:

Randii

[ROXROES]

I have nightmares of running out of CO2 just after bringing a keg home:D


So, um yah, party at your place this weekend?! :flipoff2:

I was taught to turn the gas off everynight, and I also turn off my compressor or it wakes me up at 3am! :homer:

[Big91RustyBucket]

So, um yah, party at your place this weekend?! :flipoff2:

I was taught to turn the gas off everynight, and I also turn off my compressor or it wakes me up at 3am! :homer:


I dunno man. I bet that could be fun leaving the compressor on at your place for you with a chick. The fucking compressor is right below your bed :evil: Tell the girl you dropped a quarter in it :D:flipoff2:

[PTSchram]

So, um yah, party at your place this weekend?! :flipoff2:

I was taught to turn the gas off everynight, and I also turn off my compressor or it wakes me up at 3am! :homer:

Sadly, there hasn't been a keg in the house in almost a year, but I do have plenty of gas for it (of course, now I'll probably find out they're both empty!).

I leave the compressor on 24/7. It runs so rarely, I almost like it when it kicks on in the evening so I know it's still running-except for the rare occasion where it runs for what I think is too long. At the old shop, I turned all the breakers off each night, save the night life (yes, I know breakers shouldn't be used a everyday switches). It was a bitch every morning listening to the compressor run to pressurize the system. I worked very hard to reduce the air leaks in this shop!

[ROXROES]

I dunno man. I bet that could be fun leaving the compressor on at your place for you with a chick. The fucking compressor is right below your bed :evil: Tell the girl you dropped a quarter in it :D:flipoff2:

:laughing: I'll have to try that..............:grinpimp:

I worked very hard to reduce the air leaks in this shop!

My next house will have a detached garage and a hard lined system. :smokin:

[oldjeep]

What kind of welders do you guys have that they leak down? The gas is almost always turned on for my Hobart 180.

[PTSchram]

What kind of welders do you guys have that they leak down? The gas is almost always turned on for my Hobart 180.

Chances are they are leaking from other than the welder, regulator, tank connection, etc.

[bodyman909]

Most likely a leak somewhere..
I always forget to turn off the bottle at the shop and has never leaked but the one at the house gets turned off religiously cause it's leaking somewhere.

[Brad]

How bout you guys find and fix leaks after you hook the bottle up the first time??????
Mine is at a buddies house and pretty much always has the tank valve open. It never leaks down. You guys do know that the way bottle valves are designed you should open them all the way right??

[fj40forlife]

I hang my helmet on the tank. so I pretty much close it. but have left it open 2 times aready

[PTSchram]

You guys do know that the way bottle valves are designed you should open them all the way right??

Not necessarily-or rather, not all valves. Acetylene tanks for example can be opened only a quarter turn and work just fine. Many will say that acetylene valves should only be opened a quarter turn to make it easier to close it quickly in the event of an emergency. I believe the manual with my Sears torch set said not to open the tank valve more than a quarter turn.

[chadjans]

You guys do know that the way bottle valves are designed you should open them all the way right??

Why? My guage reads he same flow regardless of how much I open the valve.

[PTSchram]

Now that I think about it, I seem to remember reading somewhere that on tanks that are opened all the way (inert gases, IIRC) one was to open the valve all the way and then close it slightly, maybe quarter turn. Can't remember the reasoning, but think it was something about the gland packing and not leaking through the valve.

[Brad]

I cant find anything online. Yes acetylene cylinders are an exception. Propane cylinders need to be opened all the way to seal the valve. I open my valve on my 75/25 bottle all the way till its tight and then back it off a little.

Its just the way some valves "seat" at the top and bottom.
Regardless, check for leaks and you shouldnt have problems.

From here, still trying to find the spec for other cylinders, we already know acetylene shouldnt be opened more than a full turn(this link says that also)
http://ehs.okstate.edu/MODULES/cylinder/handling.htm
Cylinder valves should be opened slowly. Oxygen cylinder valves should be opened all the way. Open up the oxygen cylinder valve stem just a crack. Once the needle on the high pressure gauge has stopped, open up the valve all the way. This back-seats the valve. Oxygen cylinders must have the valve opened up all the way because of the high pressure in the cylinder. There is a back-seating valve on the oxygen cylinder. This prevents the high-pressure gas from leaking out through the threaded stem

[gte718p]

Now that I think about it, I seem to remember reading somewhere that on tanks that are opened all the way (inert gases, IIRC) one was to open the valve all the way and then close it slightly, maybe quarter turn. Can't remember the reasoning, but think it was something about the gland packing and not leaking through the valve.

This is old Navy training. It comes from the old days of packing and steam plants. Its supposed to keep the gate from compacting the packing on the stem for valves that are not operated frequently. It is also supposed to keep valves from siezing. Its not really applicable with modern fiber packing, but the Navy still teaches it. Also not applicable to ball valves but that doesn't stop them from applying it.

[rusmannx]

dammit. i just did the same thing.
i guess i'll have to take a lesson from you guys.

[jdeit]

I close my tank when I put the machine away.

How long do you leave your welder on after welding something?

I have a Hobart 187 and turn it of about a minute or two after I am done welding to let it cool off. Is this enough or not necessary?

[lumberjack1986]

I stick my hand in the fan's exhaust to decide if I need to let it run or not, but generally I don't worry about it.

When I got my first MIG (Miller), I forgot and left the gas on for a week or so. Went back, for sure that it had bled down, but alas I couldn't tell it had leaked any.

[paulkeith]

I have done it once , or twice. The first time I couldn't figure out what happened. Then I realized the bottle was open. Next time , I closed the bottle , and then realized the hose going into the welder was loose. Now I always turn the bottle off , and check the fittings bout once every time or two I use it. I remind my friends who use my welder , and my one friend is borrowing my welder right now , and now had to fill my bottle since he left it on.
Oh well the more times you screw up the more you beat it into your head. It gets to be an expensive lesson.

i left mine open twice. Then i realized my fittings were loose too. I haven't forgotten since then, but i think if i did, it wouldn't lose the whole tank overnight again.

Paul