Flow meter style or gauge for Argon/CO2 regulator

[Jack Ryan]

The higher pressure are appropriate for mig.

I prefer not to have the blast with MIG either. Where there is no preflow, the blast affects starts. I guess it also wastes gas but in my situation, that is not a big issue.

Jack

 

[mogandave]

The ball will also let you know when the gas solenoid takes a dump as well.

 

[bubinga]

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

Oh, so there are top entry bottles and side entry bottles?
I'm sorry I don't quite understand the part about calibrated at 50 psi how is that determined? So I would be better off with one calibrated at 20 psi?
Are you saying the flow meter goes up to 50 psi I'm sorry I don't understand.

 

[bubinga]

I am planning on MIG welding for now.
So I'd need a different regulator/flow meter if l decided to try to learn TIG welding?
WRT side entry tanks, looks like all the regulators I've seen so far are for side entry tanks.
I don't have a tank yet, but looking at the regulators, l guess I assumed they were standard as side entry.

 

[Jack Ryan]

Oh, so there are top entry bottles and side entry bottles?

Yes, there are both. Some flow meters (with the ball) can be adjusted but many, like the one you posted, can't. The clear tube with the ball in it has to be vertical or it won't work.

I'm sorry I don't quite understand the part about calibrated at 50 psi how is that determined? So I would be better off with one calibrated at 20 psi?
Are you saying the flow meter goes up to 50 psi I'm sorry I don't understand.

Most of the flow meters that are used for MIG and TIG are compensated fixed pressure, variable aperture devices.

That means that they are set up so:

Bottle --> fixed Regulator --> flow meter --> valve​

The flow meter operates at the fixed regulator pressure and that has to be taken into account when the tube is calibrated for flow. This type of flow meter is "compensated" in that there can be some back pressure caused by a kinked lead or a blocked gun and the flow is relatively unaffected.

The 50psi mentioned is the setting of the fixed regulator. When you let go of the trigger, the gas solenoid closed and the gas hose between the flow meter and the solenoid in the welding machine pressurises to 50psi. When you next pull the trigger, that gas releases in a surge until the working pressure drops to around 4 psi.

All I was saying is that if the fixed regulator is set to 20 psi, the surge is much less.

You can, of course, adjust the fixed regulator down to 20 psi. But then the calibration won't be right.

Don't get too hung up with the intricacies of how things work - just pull the trigger and make sparks. Look at the detail if you need to or if you want to.

You can use the same flow meter for MIG and TIG but MIG tends to use more gas. For home use, 25L/m (50cfh) is enough for both.

Jack

 

[Sumboodie]

It is interesting that the flow-meter says CO2 but the flow-meter box says Ar.

Either or. Common to use a mix too.

 

[Jack Ryan]

Either or. Common to use a mix too.

There are generally two scales on the tube, one for CO2 and one for Ar and Ar/CO2 mixes.

The densities of the gasses are different so a different calibration is needed. Even so, the error would not affect most people.

Jack

 

[Sumboodie]

There are generally two scales on the tube, one for CO2 and one for Ar and Ar/CO2 mixes.

The densities of the gasses are different so a different calibration is needed. Even so, the error would not affect most people.

Jack

It's one of those things that the readout isn't overly important if you have some time with the machine.

I know on mine 15 cfh is usually fine unless it's windy.

 

[Jack Ryan]

It's one of those things that the readout isn't overly important if you have some time with the machine.

I know on mine 15 cfh is usually fine unless it's windy.

That right, just like you don't check the tacho to see if its time to change gears. If it looks right and it feels right - its right.

The exact values only really matter if you are documenting a procedure or following one.

Jack

 

[mogandave]

That right, just like you don't check the tacho to see if its time to change gears. If it looks right and it feels right - its right.

The exact values only really matter if you are documenting a procedure or following one.

Jack

Or getting audited…

 

[Jack Ryan]

Or getting audited…

Ah yes, that too!

 

[86turbodsl]

Yes, there are both. Some flow meters (with the ball) can be adjusted but many, like the one you posted, can't. The clear tube with the ball in it has to be vertical or it won't work.



Most of the flow meters that are used for MIG and TIG are compensated fixed pressure, variable aperture devices.

That means that they are set up so:

Bottle --> fixed Regulator --> flow meter --> valve​

The flow meter operates at the fixed regulator pressure and that has to be taken into account when the tube is calibrated for flow. This type of flow meter is "compensated" in that there can be some back pressure caused by a kinked lead or a blocked gun and the flow is relatively unaffected.

The 50psi mentioned is the setting of the fixed regulator. When you let go of the trigger, the gas solenoid closed and the gas hose between the flow meter and the solenoid in the welding machine pressurises to 50psi. When you next pull the trigger, that gas releases in a surge until the working pressure drops to around 4 psi.

All I was saying is that if the fixed regulator is set to 20 psi, the surge is much less.

You can, of course, adjust the fixed regulator down to 20 psi. But then the calibration won't be right.

Don't get too hung up with the intricacies of how things work - just pull the trigger and make sparks. Look at the detail if you need to or if you want to.

You can use the same flow meter for MIG and TIG but MIG tends to use more gas. For home use, 25L/m (50cfh) is enough for both.

Jack

Excellent description.

 

[86turbodsl]

It's one of those things that the readout isn't overly important if you have some time with the machine.

I know on mine 15 cfh is usually fine unless it's windy.

Thats' about where i tig also. 50 is crazy high to me.

 

[welder4956]

The one you posted has to be used with a side entry bottle - be careful with that

??? Learn something new every day. I've been welding almost 50 years and have never seen an argon bottle that was not "side entry" with a right angle valve. Anyone have a picture of a top entry argon bottle?

 

[Jack Ryan]

??? I'm confused. I've been welding almost 50 years and have never seen an argon bottle that was not "side entry" with a right angle valve. Anyone have a picture of a top entry argon bottle?

Here are some.

 

[mogandave]

??? Learn something new every day. I've been welding almost 50 years and have never seen an argon bottle that was not "side entry" with a right angle valve.

Guess we can't say that anymore...

 

[BigMike782]

??? Learn something new every day. I've been welding almost 50 years and have never seen an argon bottle that was not "side entry" with a right angle valve. Anyone have a picture of a top entry argon bottle?

I doubt you will ever see that style of cylinder valve in the US.