This probably sounds like a stupid question to those of you who have been welding for a while, but I just got a new welder and set it up with gas. The manual was good at explaining how to set the machine up, but says nothing about what to do after you are finished welding. Is it okay to leave the gas hooked up? Of course I closed the cylinder valve, but am I supposed to de-pressurize the lines or anything? The CFH gauge still has a reading.

 

I always just cut the valve off.

 

Yes you should always purge the lines after shutdown, clear the hoses and if you want, lay a towel over the machine to protect it from dust

 

I am not saying its a bad idea to purge the lines, but whats the benefit? Now I have been welding for 10 yrs and never done it and have not seen any adverse effects.

 

How do you purge the lines? Just pull the trigger? That seems like it would waste wire. Is there another way?

 

I never disconnect my lines , never even heard of that. Not saying its not true but I never heard of that. I could not use my machine for a month and never had a problem just leaving my lines hooked up.

All I do is close the tank valve and cover the machine.

 

i didnt mean disconnect the lines, i meant after you turn off the gas valve i push the pedal/trigger to purge out the gas, out of the lines. then shut off the machine

 

Oh I see , my misunderstading

 

Better machines have a momentary rocker switch labeled, "PURGE," that activates the gas solenoid but not the wire feeder. If you're worried about the tenth-of-a-cent's worth of wire that purging by pulling the trigger will waste, just release the drive roller clamp before you pull the trigger - voila, the rollers turn but no wire is fed.

 

With a MIG welder I will tap the trigger in very quick succesion. On the welder I have a millermatic 185 this will purge the lines while not wasting alot of wire.