Welders

[mccutter]

Originally Posted by mccutter

This thread jinxed me. I went to cut some 16ga sheet alum last night with my Hobart 250ci and while trying to blow a start hole in it, I heard a "pop" and then nothing but the compressor noise.

So I got a chance to check out the AF250 and it didn't seem like it was getting the proper amount of air coming out. So 30 seconds/12 screws I had it apart. Still looks new! I've had it 5+ years and it is a good little portable 120v unit. Was an "open box" for $600 at the time, was retailing for more like $800.

Put a rag down, rig up a hose to pressurize the air tube, squirted some soapy water and the air bubbles showed the leak. Didn't see it before.

Removed the torch and figured I'd cut the outer rubber jacket back a few inches, snip the hose past the break and reconnect it--done! But it became apparent that the entire hose was going to need replacing. Hose should be here Weds. The torch and hose are about 15'. Still haven't figured out how I'm going to get the old hose out and the new one in, especially if the old turns into a crumbly piece of shit...

Pic of the torch if you were interested and standby AF625.

[greywynd]

Old liners from mig welding guns work really well for pushing/pulling stuff like that in and out. I keep one around to use like a snake now and again.


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[Shade Tree Welder]

FWIW...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vl2hlCgPD2M

[mccutter]

I was going to post this the other day but there were issues.

Originally Posted by greywynd

Old liners from mig welding guns work really well for pushing/pulling stuff like that in and out.

That's a good idea. The packrat me thinks I may have an old liner kicking around somewhere in one of the (many) bins marked "welding" . I have a set of these I thought I would try first (the last picture). LINK

UPDATE: I've since received the hose and other stuff from zamazom. About 50' of hose plus fittings, etc. for $18--I need 15'. It was that or 25' for $14? (I think). MSC/McM were around $10+S/H for 25', no fittings. That blue tool thing is a cutter which I was unaware was included.

Also got a belt for the little Craftsman drill press. The one on it is fraying as it has been for the past 5 years. This is a metric-size K27. Unfortunately, it was twisted like a pretzel in the box and un-usable (to me). I'll give them a chance to send me a decent one...

To make the order eligible for free shipping (I don't have/need Prime) I added on these M-Lok pic rails for $10. I ordered a similar "set" previously that had a bunch of longer rails that I don't really need but I DID have a need for more smaller rails. Well-made aluminum.

[dubby]

I started eyeballing those air line kits the other day while looking for the fridge water line parts. I kinda wanted to order one but really don't have a spot/need for them at the moment.

My biggest concern with the plastic tubing is aging and exposure. I'd certainly install a separate valve to feed that system close to the supply so it could be isolated easily. I've left tools plugged into the little vinyl coil hoses in years past only to have them break, which could make the compressor to run hot if left unattended.

[yooper]

Originally Posted by dubby

I started eyeballing those air line kits the other day while looking for the fridge water line parts. I kinda wanted to order one but really don't have a spot/need for them at the moment.

My biggest concern with the plastic tubing is aging and exposure. I'd certainly install a separate valve to feed that system close to the supply so it could be isolated easily. I've left tools plugged into the little vinyl coil hoses in years past only to have them break, which could make the compressor to run hot if left unattended.

I put a timer on my compressor , the type you twist to tun on , it goes up to 6 hours , anytime I'm out in the shop I just twist it for a couple hours , never have to worry about shutting it off .

[slip knot]

Originally Posted by yooper

I put a timer on my compressor , the type you twist to tun on , it goes up to 6 hours , anytime I'm out in the shop I just twist it for a couple hours , never have to worry about shutting it off .

Thats a great idea. I'm going to look at installing one on my compressor.

[yooper]

This is the one I used -
https://www.amazon.com/Intermatic-FF...SABEgK29fD_BwE

[toprecycler]

Originally Posted by yooper

I put a timer on my compressor , the type you twist to tun on , it goes up to 6 hours , anytime I'm out in the shop I just twist it for a couple hours , never have to worry about shutting it off .

I like this idea.

I did put a shutoff valve on my compressor that I turn off when I shut the compressor down, so I don’t lose all the air in the 60 gallon tank. I also put in an auto drain valve that blows water each time the compressor cycles, but I also manually purge the tank each time I power on/ off the compressor.




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[dubby]

I like the timer idea, but even a couple hours is enough to cause issues if something goes awry.

I had one of my remote supply line branches break while I was having lunch and the compressor was unattended. Since it was exhausting as fast as it was building, the compressor never had a chance to shut off. I had the doors closed so I couldn't hear it droning on.

There is a serious amount of heat being built up by these things that we often don't think about much. Mine has a very large fan attached to the crank pully, but the entire area was was warmer than I was comfortable standing near. Visible "heat waves" were coming off the top and it had the hot motor smell. Had I left it for much longer I think it could have done some serious damage to itself, or worse the shop.