Air in Line??

[JWELD]

I have always wondered, when you first engage the gun on a mig or tig, is it not possible only "air" initially comes out due to set-up.
I know this would be for a very brief moment but could it cause a problem sometimes with "starts". This may be a stupid assumption, but I have always wondered.


This may be considered one of those "southern questions"

Thanks

[H80N]

JWELD
not a dumb question at all... yep you can get air in both.. how much of it depends on how long it has been sitting since the last time you used it... that is why it is always a good idea to purge the gas line before each use... pretty much the same for both... for tig.. a couple of taps on the pedal or control usually does it.. the postflow timer.. will keep it open long enough to push out any air.. on mig usually no postflow... so pulling the trigger for a bit longer does it... just turn down the wire feed rate before you do it and chop off what wire does come out before you use it... and be careful about your stickout while purging... it is HOT..(while trigger pulled) and will arc and spark if you hit the worktable etc.... have done it myself enough times just not paying attention... the flash always woke me up...
hope this helps

Heiti

BTW "Southern Questions" usually much better thought out than most dumb yankees would realize... 8-)

(figured that I better clarify in edit before I restarted the war of agression/civil war... there are dumb and smart people on both sides of the mason dixon ... am Not.. calling anyone dumb... just pointing out that the easygoing southern way may not be as slow as some people may percieve the stereotype... )

[bail76]

Before I strike an arc with tig I always tap the pedal just enough to start the gas flow this helps purge out the air. Once the gas is flowing I bring the torch down to the work and strike the arc. You will find the arc starts a lot smoother under the shielding atmosphere versus starting the gas and arc at the same time. Hope this helps.

[Paul Seaman]

Heiti: very well put, they held em south of the river over here hence the Kentuckian jokes---hey my race team is in KY-- humm now that is funny, keep em smiling. Peace

[H80N]

pjseaman & All
I have met bright & not so bright people in the north, the south, east, west and all over the world ... does not matter if they are white, black, green or purple, nor which language they speak or how they speak it...or even their political beliefs....people are people
I do not much care for stereotypes... and may not have done a very good job of explaining that in my previous post.... we are all equal... and here on this forum what we try to do is help each other by the exchange of information about welding, welding equipment and the welding business..... I have learned a lot here and try to share what little I know ... this is a great forum...
Thanks
Heiti