2 simple questions about argon and filler rod

[JohnT]

these are probably non-issues, but Im wondering at what pressure do you guys change your argon tank. Im down to about 200 psi.
Does low pressure affect the flow or can I run it nearly empty?
Also, how do you guys use up the last couple inches of filler rod? Hold it with pliers or just throw it away?
Im sure I sound like a cheapo but hey,,,,,who wants to throw away perfectly good supplies?

[everlastsupport]

these are probably non-issues, but Im wondering at what pressure do you guys change your argon tank. Im down to about 200 psi.
Does low pressure affect the flow or can I run it nearly empty?
Also, how do you guys use up the last couple inches of filler rod? Hold it with pliers or just throw it away?
Im sure I sound like a cheapo but hey,,,,,who wants to throw away perfectly good supplies?

If clean gas we run them all the way down. But no reason too wreck a weld doing it. We throw short filler in the scrap bin and scrap with all the other things we can not use. And we are cheap as they come.

[Mr120]

If clean gas we run them all the way down. But no reason too wreck a weld doing it. We throw short filler in the scrap bin and scrap with all the other things we can not use. And we are cheap as they come.

I'm cheaper. I weld the stub to a new one to extend it ..... LOL

[Paul Moir]

I normally run my argon right out. When you get really low the CFH will drop on it's own and since you'll be expecting it you'll notice. If you run it all the way out your tungsten will burn back.

As for filler rod ends, I just throw them out. If they're really expensive or you're desperate then you can weld the ends together to make a new rod.

PS - I usually leave a few ends around since they make handy spacers when you're tacking stuff together. Bend them into a U.

[JohnT]

Thanks guys.. Lol..i tried attaching a stub to a new rod and the arc knocked it off the table. I figured i was using 50 cents of gas to save 1 cent of filler.

[youngnstudly]

I run the tank to the very end. As Paul mentioned, the pressure passing through the flow meter will start to drop automatically as tank pressure drops, so I tend to start dropping my tig cup sizes at that point to keep pressure up. Once I get to a #4 cup (from my normal #5 or #6 cup), and the electrode is set back into the cup with little to no stick out, I know the end is near and I'm on borrowed time.

When I see the tank pressure starting to get low, I'll pull out misc. projects that I save under the work bench which only require minimal welding, or I'll tack weld some sheet metal projects together. If you set the post flow to 1-2 seconds for tacking sheet metal, you can get a million (well, almost a million) tack welds done using very little Argon.

As for the rod stubs, I normally run the rod down as far as I can, and I'll use the stubs for tacking parts together (where heat input is minimal and my fingers won't get burned!). Sometimes, I will use the stubs for art related projects too, or for shimming/spacing things that I am welding (as Paul also mentioned). Welding stubs together is a waste of time IMO (too hard to add consistent amounts of filler with tacked together stubs).

[TheGary]

There is no need to worry about the low pressure in a tank. The flow rate used to shield a weld is not more than a pound or 2 . Most flow regulators are single stage so they will not keep flow constant as the tank empties but near the end of a tank all that is needed is to adjust your flow rate again every few minutes to keep it shielding well all the way down to where there is only a few pounds left in the tank. If you are really concerned about it, then go buy a 2 stage flow regulator and it will keep the flow constant without adjustment all the way to the end of a tank. Lets face it when it gets down to a couple pounds in a tank there is only a few min. worth of welding left. As far as the rod stubs, throw them in the trash. The time and shield gas used to weld a stub to a new rod is more than the stub is worth.

[everlastsupport]

I'm cheaper. I weld the stub to a new one to extend it ..... LOL

Did that years ago. For me, it's not worth time, electric, wear on machine, wear on consumables and gas. What type filler is this?

[Mr120]

I don't run my filler rod down to a very small stub. I like to keep my filler rods fairly long so that I can feed it comfortably. Since I know I'll be connecting them to another rod in the future, I put them aside once they are 3 or 4 inches long and do them all at once.