Welding Tips and Tricks

Hi Everyone

Doing some aluminum work at the house this weekend
I would like to blend Helium in with the Argon supply. I have a bottle that is just Helium for this purpose.
To goal here is to get 25% Helium in with the Argon

What are you all using to blend the mixture of the two gases?
Any one have a snapshot or a link to something that I can order for this purpose?

Let me know what you think,

Adam

The best way is using a gas mixer. But that's a lot of money. I have one and it's a nice way to go. Conversely a simple Y fitting with 2 flowmeters will work just fine

Adam Mc Laughlin wrote:Hi Everyone

Doing some aluminum work at the house this weekend
I would like to blend Helium in with the Argon supply. I have a bottle that is just Helium for this purpose.
To goal here is to get 25% Helium in with the Argon

What are you all using to blend the mixture of the two gases?
Any one have a snapshot or a link to something that I can order for this purpose?

Let me know what you think,

Adam

Western Enterprises has the fittings you're looking for, Y's with and without valves along with any adapters you may need to complete the setup. Your LWS I'm sure carries their products.
http://westernenterprises.com/where-can-i-buy/
You can also use the Where can I buy page to locate a distributer in your area. You can download the "Industrial Products" catalog to see what you need.

Or, if you're not looking for a precise mixture, you can use the two bottles, two flowmeters, and a tee, and be done with it.

Be aware, that 10CFH helium will barely make the ball begin to dance on an argon flowmeter.

Steve S

Thanks southpaw
Where do I find this Y fitting ?
And......
What would I set the pressure of each tank output to be ?

Adam



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Otto Nobedder wrote:Or, if you're not looking for a precise mixture, you can use the two bottles, two flowmeters, and a tee, and be done with it.

Be aware, that 10CFH helium will barely make the ball begin to dance on an argon flowmeter.

Steve S

Hi Steve

I haven't shopped yet, BUT are there helium specific flow meters ?

Adam



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Adam Mc Laughlin wrote:Thanks southpaw
Where do I find this Y fitting ?
And......
What would I set the pressure of each tank output to be ?

Adam



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You don't set pressure! You set volume, aka flow. You really need 2 ball style flowmeters and a Y or T fitting. One really needs to have flow markings for helium . 15cfh argon and 5cfh helium would be a 75/25 argon helium mix.

Adam Mc Laughlin wrote: Where do I find this Y fitting ?

Good morning, Adam,
I think all of your questions and more can be answered here: this is part 1 of a 2-part series.
http://welding-tv.com/2015/04/14/tig-we ... m-mixture/

To answer your question specifically, you can find most of the parts you need at the Home Deep, in the aisle with high pressure fittings.

Good luck with it, please keep us posted!

This is what you are looking for. Can be ha had e with or without valves. http://store.cyberweld.com/weingasyco.html

The "BEST" way is with a Smith/Miller proportional mixer. New they are scary expensive like $1800.00. They are available often on E-Bay for $300.00/400.00. I bought a 4 year old new/unused Smith Argon/CO/2 one locally for $200.00. Guess I really stole it. I am just about done plumbing it up to my Miller Diversion 180. I contacted the Smith division at Miller and confirmed that it works the same with helium as it does with CO/2 .

Jim

I bought a Y with valves, and a second floating ball regulator at Airgas. I did consume the first tank of helium too fast trying to use a regulator borrowed from my MIG.

So did you get a helium specific regulator from air gas ?




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This maybe a silly question but, can you use the helium gas from a party balloon kit... would it be pure helium?

Harry72 wrote:This maybe a silly question but, can you use the helium gas from a party balloon kit... would it be pure helium?

I wouldn't try it.

"Party balloon" helium is often 80% helium, 20% oxygen, because kids think it's cute to inhale the helium and talk.

Steve S

For what its worth the Miller/Smith single stage regulator H2051B-580H can be used for Argon - Argon/CO2 mix-or Helium The glass the ball floats in has markings for all three. I am using two of them with my argon/helium Miller/Smith proportional mixer with my Miller Diversion180 converted to a #20 water cooled torch and equipped with a Jattus Tig Perfect Pulser.

Jim

Adam Mc Laughlin wrote:So did you get a helium specific regulator from air gas ?




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I did. I think it is good for argon also.

jauguston wrote:For what its worth the Miller/Smith single stage regulator H2051B-580H can be used for Argon - Argon/CO2 mix-or Helium The glass the ball floats in has markings for all three. I am using two of them with my argon/helium Miller/Smith proportional mixer with my Miller Diversion180 converted to a #20 water cooled torch and equipped with a Jattus Tig Perfect Pulser.

Jim

Then you are doing it wrong. You are supposed to use PSI gauges with Smith mixers. They require 50-110psi depending on your model. It's right there on the tag on back of the mixer. I use a pair of ESAB gauges with mine. Got them for a steal brand new on eBay.
Volume is controlled by the mixer not the gauges in this setup. If the psi is not high enough then your output will be incorrect. Many flowmeter s are 20-45 continuous PSI

Well thank you all for your contributions here

I think I will start with the first project being attempted with a gas " Y " adapter and a bottle of each gas.
See how that goes - might be able to get by on two small repairs on these floor sanders

I will keep my eyes open for a gas mixer though. If I get enough work demand for aluminum projects, this will definitely be on the horizon. Sure would love to catch an opportunity with Craigslist or eBay - these things seem to start at $ 1700

Adam

I have used helium on only a few projects. It is expensive, and isn't often needed. The problem I had was trying to use a regulator borrowed from a MIG. I was consuming helium too fast.

If you have to use a second cylinder, why not just lease a cylinder with the mix you want and save the added cost of a second flow meter and wye fitting. If you own a second cylinder, get it filled with 75/25- Ar/He and then you know that you're getting the mix you want.

Len

I asked for that - another cylinder with mixed gas in it. My favorite LWS shop told me they couldn't provide it but let me borrow a cylinder for 60 days just to try it out

I know what you mean though - I too would have preferred a specific cylinder just for this purpose

Adam



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Adam,
You can buy an 80cf cylinder ($200 new) and have it filled with whatever non flammable gas or mix that you want. If your local store doesn't fill cylinders you'll need to find one that does. Sometimes with a mix that they don't do they'll send your cylinder out and have it filled. Problem is most places don't want to go out of their way for a small customer. Most larger cylinder fill places should be able to do this, places like Airgas, Praxair, and Matheson.

Len

Southpaw,

You are right and I am wrong! I just got off of the phone with Karen a Smith tech support lady that has been there for 32 years and she confirmed what you said. She sent me the manual for the mixer that makes it clear what you said. Thanks.

Jim

Southpaw,

Thanks for the tip on the ESAB regulators on ebay. I grabbed two new ones for $30.00 each. I now have two new floating ball regulators I don't need.

Jim

Hey Jim do you mind sending me a link for the regulators to use at the helium bottles?

Thank you

Adam



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