bubinga
Well-known member
What style is preferred? Or does it just matter what l prefer to look at?
Flow meter style or gauge for Argon/CO2 regulator
- Thread starter bubinga
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cvairwerks
Well-known member
How are you going to set your gas flow rate off of only a set of pressure gauges?
Make sure you get for Ar/CO2, not CO2
cvairwerks
Well-known member
Oops,,,, didn’t blow the photo up enough on my phone....
They both work and will get you in the ballpark. The dial gauge type are calibrated to a fixed gas and orifice combination. The ball type are measuring actual flow to the gas listed on the scale. They typically have three scales for different gas/mixes.
I like the ball type better but I end up setting my flow to the weld.
I like the ball type better but I end up setting my flow to the weld.
welder4956
Well-known member
I like the ball type flowmeters as they seem to be more accurate and you have a visual indication when gas is flowing. With the gauge type, the needle doesn't move when gas starts or stops flowing. If the hose gets pinched or the bottle is running out, it is not as obvious with the gauge type. It is really just a matter of preference, either one will work fine.
BigMike782
Well-known member
Either will work. Flow meter is usually more accurate but slightly more expensive.
Flow gauge works fine for MIG because flow rate isn’t that big of an issue.
Flow gauge uses a metered orifice and a matched gauge to determine flow.
Flow gauge works fine for MIG because flow rate isn’t that big of an issue.
Flow gauge uses a metered orifice and a matched gauge to determine flow.
Steve from Socal
Well-known member
The dial gauge IS reading the bottle pressure, 25 MPa is 3625 PSIAnd this one on Amazon is sharp looking, not that that matters, but don't have a gauge to show what is left in the tank. I would like to have a ldea what is left in my tank.
Monza Harry
Well-known member
No just F#$%^^g metric! 1 Bar = 14.7 #/"square. I'd look for an pounds version. Also the dual gauge version is a little more robust than the flow meter. Minimal but tougher I feel. More fodder for additional "Analysis Paralysis" Harry
We ran Harris at work, but were I in the market for something at home, I would order the ProFax.
For $10 I would not buy it from Amazon. Do you have your bottle yet?
I would try to buy one from whomever you're going to have fill it.
Do you have the welder yet? Often a decent MIG unit comes with a flow meter.
Walkers
Well-known member
For mig welding buy the gauge. Go to https://regulatortorchrepair.com/product-category/new-equipment/new-regulators/ and buy one there. They are good people to work with, and if it breaks they can either fix it or sell you parts to fix it. The cheap chinese **** is largely unrepairable.
It's not here yet.
It doesn't come with the gauges.
I know it's not a Lincoln or a Hobart, but this
looks like a lot of welder for a beginner, for $350.00. Reviews are good.
I'm going to give it a try. l can't afford a $2,000.00 welder. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B1TGZ8XN/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Look like a nice unit, you should have fun with it. See how you like it with flux-core and worry about your gas later.
Make sure you can buy the consumables for your gun before you need them.
l found what l think might be a decent price on a 45 CF bottle online for $64.90.
I'm not sure if it's free shipping yet?
Will the local welding shops usually exchange this tank for a full tank of Argon without issue?
beveragelements.com
I'm not sure if it's free shipping yet?
Will the local welding shops usually exchange this tank for a full tank of Argon without issue?
Would this be a good deal for a 45 CF tank?
Pretty sure it's a CGA 580, waiting to hear back from the company.
45 cuft Nitrogen Cylinder - Steel - Recertified | Beverage Elements
Steel 45 cuft recertified nitrogen steel tank with new CGA580 valve. Recertified, refinished, and ready to deliver your nitro with style and economy.
beveragelements.com
IDK maybe a nitrogen bottle is not suitable for Argon.l found what l think might be a decent price on a 45 CF bottle online for $64.90.
I'm not sure if it's free shipping yet?
Will the local welding shops usually exchange this tank for a full tank of Argon without issue?
Would this be a good deal for a 45 CF tank?
Pretty sure it's a CGA 580, waiting to hear back from the company.
45 cuft Nitrogen Cylinder - Steel - Recertified | Beverage Elements
Steel 45 cuft recertified nitrogen steel tank with new CGA580 valve. Recertified, refinished, and ready to deliver your nitro with style and economy.
Maybe it is though, this one on Amazon says Argon-Nitrogen-Helium.
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Walkers
Well-known member
Just buy one locally. My LWS has decent prices on them, the take care of recerts, and I can upgrade the bottle just by paying the difference.
BigMike782
Well-known member
45 cf is an odd ball size in my area. I would buy one from a local supplier so you know it's a size you can exchange. It's also good to have a contact at a welding supply. As you buy product and get to know them and they get to know you the chances of better pricing are better.
86turbodsl
Well-known member
Just my opinion, but cheap chinese regulators are a waste of time. You can buy a quality used one on fleabay for about same price. Harris, Victor, something decent. The ball style is much more accurate if you really need a flow meter. I use the gage style on my mig, higher pressure is usually needed for the long mig whip and to get gas out there fast enough. My tigs all have strike delay to get gas to the cup before it starts the arc. Mig won't have that.
What do you guys think of this Harris 601-580 flow meter?
store.cyberweld.com
Harris 601 Argon Flowmeter Regulator 601-AR-580
Attachments
laser3kw
Well-known member
Harris has always been a good brand for gauges.I would buy it
BigMike782
Well-known member
As long as it's a CGA 580(inerts) and not 320(CO2) you're good to go.
Harris is a good brand so are Smith and Victor. I have a couple of Concoa and they are real nice but are pricey.
Harris is a good brand so are Smith and Victor. I have a couple of Concoa and they are real nice but are pricey.
Jack Ryan
Well-known member
I prefer the flow meter (with the ball) myself - it shows flow only when there if flow, a flow gauge shows a higher flow when there is no flow. I use them on MIG and TIG.
The one you posted has to be used with a side entry bottle - be careful with that.
The one you posted is calibrated at 50 psig. That means there will be a significant surge when you pull the trigger. You can get used to it but it can muck up your starts. A better one will be calibrated at (say) 20 psig
That's my 2c worth.
Jack
86turbodsl
Well-known member
What Jack said. You're going to get a big surge of wasted gas at 50psi. The higher pressure are appropriate for mig. you want low pressure for tig, since you have preflow time before the arc strikes.