Push/Pull..smut and tank pressure

[SoCalTA]

OK well I spent some time after my post and just as I was finishing up my practice project welding AL with my MM210 w/3035 something dawned on me. The smut issue I have is related to the pushing or pulling of the gun. One of the threads on spoolgun use was read but I guess I didn't realize what the implications of the words were it until I was in the middle of the weld. Lets just say the light bulb went on.

Lastly when would you say it is time to refill the tank? I am at around 800 psi (100% Argon) and I was wondering if there was a range before zero psi where a refill should take place?

Thanks

[Sberry]

You will know when you have to fill it, it will be obvious.

[Scott V]

You will know when you have to fill it, it will be obvious.

You think you have smut now, wait until your empty. The smut will change colors. I won't tell you how I now that. It will look like flux-core aluminum welding!!!

[Mike W]

Use that cylinder until the guage is almost to zero. If the flow guage still moves, you have gas.

[Paul Seaman]

I usually go till its dry, inadvertantly. I get into the flow and before I know it,----OOOOOps-empty! Believe me it will let you know, you will probably not even weld a 1/4" of travel and you'll say, "oh that's what running out of gas is like"!!! Also if your really in tune with the sound you'll hear it hiss and spit right before its totally empty. I would recomend when the high pressure guage is nearly zero pick some heavy scrap and weld till its empty just for the knowledge and the feel of how it acts, good knowledge and it will help diagnose low flow issues and how the arc changes as a result.

Weld on,

[SoCalTA]

Thanks guys ....