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Gas regulator leaking?

Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2020 1:02 pm
by TimB
I am new to TIG and gas regulators.
My regulator leaks argon constantly from the holes in the regulator head.
Is this the way they work or do I need to repair of replace the regulator?

This is an old Smith regulator that came with the Lincoln Idealarc I bought about 12 years ago and just finally got set up for TIG welding.

I am new to TIG and to this forum. Looking forward to learning!

Thanks

Re: Gas regulator leaking?

Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2020 3:01 am
by Arno
That sounds wrong..

Regulator should not leak/vent any gas when in use, except out the bit where you want the gas to come from :lol:

Are the ports perhaps for gauge(s) or such?

Bye, Arno.

Re: Gas regulator leaking?

Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2020 9:47 am
by TimB
The holes in the housing of the regulator head are, I am guessing, to allow a diaphragm or such to move inside.
This being a 45 year old unit and the regulator not having been used for over a decade, probably some dried up O-ring or diaphragm leaking.

Thanks

Re: Gas regulator leaking?

Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2020 12:20 am
by Poland308
Most high pressure regulators are metal to metal sealing faces on the diaphragm. Probably a crack in the diaphragm.