Argon regulator leak

[SimpleSimon]

I just discovered a similar leak on my regulator. A hairline crack from the tank inlet port to the gauge.

[2rods]

Sounds like real high quality regulators Fing chinese junk. Glad i saw this as I was going to order one from Everlast. Not now.

[performance]

2rods,

I have several Everlast regulators, and never had one leak. In fact they have a quality feel to them. I have a Smith that is barely used and it creeps.

[trackmaster]

My reg works Fing F'antastic! Great feel, stays where i set it. Just like the rotisserie oven, ..... i set it and forget it!

Oh yeah that 250EX, ..... almost forgot about that, .... NOT! Still rockin! I love this machine. Not a glitch 6 months in. This is the real deal, and the 300 cooler? ..... unreal ..... what a great match. Serious Rig folks!
Thanx so much to the Everlast team! - Lou

[Ray]

Sounds like we have a few that had the inlet stub overtightened and split the regulator body, too much of a good thing.. Usualy not an issue.

[jas329]

I just discovered a similar leak on my regulator. A hairline crack from the tank inlet port to the gauge.

I have the same issue on mine, I finally got around getting the argon regular setup on my tank. I snugged up the connections, but making sure not to over tighten them, but when I slowly opened up the valve I heard it leaking quite a bit. I thought it might be the threads leaking but when I looked down on the body of the regulator I saw a hairline crack. At first I thought it was just the chrome finish but when I opened up the valve again I noticed the crack was opening up and I felt gas flowing out of it. I quickly closed the valve, worried it might explode on me. I pretty d@mn glad that I did a check before opening up that thing all the way.

I hope Everlast can help me out here, the regulator has never been used before, this is its first time on the tank. The regulator has always been kept indoors where its warm, so I don't think its temperature shock. What I can guess is that it was damaged in delivery because the box the regulator came in was pretty smashed up. I guess I should have looked more carefully but the unit itself seemed pretty stout, I didn't think that the heavy metal body would crack so easily. Initially when I got it I just made sure the plastic flow meter and pressure gauge wasn't damaged. I've included some pictures, sorry if they are hard to see, I ran out of batteries for my camera so I used my cell phone to take them.

image of crack from inlet to pressure gauge:


image of crack from pressure gauge and almost to flow meter:

[jakeru]

Here is the crack on one of my everlast regulators, starting at the inlet nipple, extending towards the middle of the body's back side.

It took me a while before I noticed it and I only found it by accident. I was applying leak test fluid around the CGA-580 to argon tank connection, to try and find out where my expensive argon has was going. I got some leak test fluid actually by accident on the back of my regulator. "What the heck are these bubbles?"

I should say on this regulator, that I did have a "professional" regulator rebuild shop install the CGA-580 nipple. That is because the everlast regulator originally came with an incompatible CGA fitting, which would not attach to a standard argon bottle, as found in the USA. The shop did say something about not being happy how it went. Maybe they caused this crack, I don't know. But the regulator body does seem to have a thin spot / weakness where the crack is that I have shown. Be careful...

[2rods]

They are cheap junk plain and simple. You get what you pay for. Also using teflon tape is a no no as the threads are so lubricated with the tape that it never feels tight and one will tighten too much till it splits. Should always use teflon paste.

[jas329]

geezer: you're right its not worth the risk to keep that regulator attached, with 2000psi surging through it can go bad really quick. I shut the gas and took that thing right off after I found out where the gas was leaking from.

jakeru: looks like the shop might have installed the new nipple that was too big for the opening and caused it to expand and crack. Or another possibility was that they heated the nipple to try to remove it from the regulator which caused the metal to become brittle. But that is just my guess. If its cracked its best to replace.

[geezer]

These days you have to take the good with the bad, there is a big difference between brass made when I was a kid and todays' brass. Todays brass is mostly recycled brass (they say up to 90 % of all brass) and the copper zinc content can vary creating a more brittle brass subject to cracking. As far as the regulator goes, they are a good buy at the price, just don't over tighten them in certain areas where the guages etc. go in the body and like anything else give it a periodic inspection. The days of using virgin brass to make things is over. Everything is recycled these days.

[sross]

Tried to set up my new 256 and found the same crack everyone else is talking about called everlast and they said they would ship a new one outI hope they test the replacement out before they send it. This is where the chinese stuff really fails to make the quality we expect when we buy something

[geezer]

Tried to set up my new 256 and found the same crack everyone else is talking about called everlast and they said they would ship a new one outI hope they test the replacement out before they send it. This is where the chinese stuff really fails to make the quality we expect when we buy something

The problem is most likely caused by a gorilla trying to make the guages face forward by tightening them, as they are a pipe thread and a tapered thread, over tightening the guages into the valve body will split the body, a common problem caused by those who have muscles for brains.

[2rods]

If it was a quality piece it would have the gauges already installed. Its such a piece of junk they are afraid to install the gauges at the backyard factory.

[performance]

Two Rods,
I don't think you are aware of the situation. They are preinstalled. The units work quite well and meter very accurately except for a few issues, which we are working to resolve.

[djcheetah]

I too have a hairline crack to the gauge and the argon is rushing out through the bypass too.

I am sure the guys will send out another replacement. Never had a problem with their tech support in the past!

[bobkat]

I too have a hairline crack to the gauge and the argon is rushing out through the bypass too.

I am sure the guys will send out another replacement. Never had a problem with their tech support in the past!

I also have aleak at my regulator, at the bypass, I have contacted everlast and was assured a replacement has been sent, but have not seen it as of yet, hopefully it will show up monday as that will be one week from shipping.

[performance]

bobkat,
Check on monday morning pacific for a tracking number.

[bobkat]

bobkat,
Check on monday morning pacific for a tracking number.

I will wait until monday afternoon to see if it shows up, Katlyn told me it wqs sent out . I should have asked for a track number at that time.
Thanks

[bobkat]

I will wait until monday afternoon to see if it shows up, Katlyn told me it wqs sent out . I should have asked for a track number at that time.
Thanks

RCVD MY REGULATOR TODAY,, new one tight as a drum no leaks, Thanks for the great svc.

[Zoomie]

I have noticed that it really doesn't take a gob of force to get the regulator to seal (at the bottle connection). Use an appropriate sized end wrench and snug it up. My Victor, Everlast and Smith/Miller regulator all only required light to medium pressure on a 10 inch long end wrench. Easy does it! If it fails to seal, back it off and check the mating surfaces. Oh yeah, don't forget to open the valve to clear it before regulator installation.