More gas trouble

[Woznme]

Dropped an xray couple days ago. Porosity.



Trouble is, you normally see porosity bubbling away in your weld pool, I didn't. So the investigation started, obviously a gas problem, the prep was shiny wire was wiped, flow meter was used to set gas flow. Couldn't possibly be my technique, stick out or arc length because, you know, I'm perfect.
Soap leak test, no leaks. Opened up the machine, checked all connections, all good. Started changing out lens, cup sizes, torch, whole whip assembly. No good. Ground out test welds with each change, porosity still there.
Couldn't be the argon itself, the same cylinder was used by another guy the day before and he shot clear so it had to be my gear.

Nothing left to change out except the regulator.

Bingo. Some kind of intermittent wandering flow problem.

Pulled that regulator apart and couldn't find anything wrong with it. BOC brand, made in South Africa. Running with the reg off my mig until a new Harris reg comes in I ordered straight away.

Not having a good run with regs in recent times. I'm over it. Spent the whole day chasing this.

[walker]

At least you found it!