Thread: chewing through the argon

Originally Posted by WelderMick

Well I thought a E size argon bottle would last ages, but I'm chewing through it pretty quick with the tig. I always turn off the main valve when finished, and I checked for leaks - nothing. Then I did a few calcs. The bottle holds 4.1m3, I have the gas running at about 10 LPM which equates to a tad less than 7 hours welding. Is my gas use excessive? I tend not to even adjust the flow rate. Using #7 cup, 2.4mm tungsten. Thanks - Mick

Yep, my E size is dissapearing quickly also. Most of the time 6-7 lpm will be ok with a 7cup. 10lpm for 10cup.

Originally Posted by WelderMick

Well I thought a E size argon bottle would last ages, but I'm chewing through it pretty quick with the tig. I always turn off the main valve when finished, and I checked for leaks - nothing. Then I did a few calcs. The bottle holds 4.1m3, I have the gas running at about 10 LPM which equates to a tad less than 7 hours welding. Is my gas use excessive? I tend not to even adjust the flow rate. Using #7 cup, 2.4mm tungsten. Thanks - Mick

I would be happy with getting around 7 hours of weld time based on your calculations. After all it is a E size cylinder we are talking about and that is a full day of solid welding.