Alpha Tig Regulator Warning CHECK.

[vdotmatrix]

I have had my AHP 201xd for almost 2.5 years and never considered how much argon I was using until a week ago when i went through a 500psi drop just running aluminum beads on coupons.

I got some gas leak detector liquid and freaked out at the leaks coming from the regulator that shipped with my machine.

I dismantled the regulator, wrapped some threads with teflon tape and snugged things down as hard as I dare and stopped the leaks.

The gas gauge now retains the pressure when I was welding which means the system is holding gas.. also when i turn the has on the ball does slam to the top of gauge. My welds are so much better and arcs are more stable. Gas usage is negligible.

ANYWAY, the point of this post is , I had a gas leak this entire time.

If you own this welder, do a leak test on the regulator.

[lugweld]

The whole time? I don't think logic would follow if you just noticed a huge drop after 2.5 years. In fact, most regulators have some sort of slow bleed off after time. The dope they use on the threads can dry out after a while. Dirt can get under the reliefs. A number of things can happen. The main issue there is the threads on the cylinder or on the seat.

[vdotmatrix]

The whole time? I don't think logic would follow if you just noticed a huge drop after 2.5 years. In fact, most regulators have some sort of slow bleed off after time. The dope they use on the threads can dry out after a while. Dirt can get under the reliefs. A number of things can happen. The main issue there is the threads on the cylinder or on the seat.

Its not that i noticed a huge drop, more than increase experience with TIG and what I thought was reasonable gas usage for running a couple coupons worth of beads…. Plus performance issues with the arc led me to explore possible explanations for poor performance other than lack years of torch time.

That’s where help from welders helped me pinpoint the likely issue..

so I leak tested with the liquid and I was surprised how much money stupidity cost me…well actually, how was i to know how a dozen things can affect a weld puddle….so here I am to remind fellow new welders to check for leaks, after all, I couldn't see the leaks…lol here is a pic of the pipe dope you mentioned…thank you for responding.