MIG gas reg question

[The Cobbler]

I have a princess auto Chinese mig welder that can be converted to mig gas by adding a regulator and bottle
The reg from Princess auto is $100.
Online I see regs for as little as $20 for what looks decent.
I have a couple of co2 reg that were pulled from working soda machines from a bar, I think they are compatible?
any suggestion would be great, thanks

 

[laser3kw]

You could use CO2 gas as the cover gas.
If you want to use a Argon mix, no the CO2 regulator won't thread on. But, you could get a CGA580 nut and ****** and swap them out.
But, the gage reading wouldn't be comparable to anything. You would have to keep testing till you found a good pressure output that gives you the proper flow.

 

[pcmeiners]

Get a cheap flow meter off Ebay.

 

[The Cobbler]

Thanks
Knew I would get an answer LOL
great

 

[MoonRise]

Technical answer follows:

The item you want/need is a "flow meter"or "flowgauge regulator" or "flowmeter regulator".

NOT a "pressure regulator".

The "flow meter" will have a pressure regulator in it, but it also has a calibrated orifice (either fixed or variable) and some gauges (incoming pressure from the cylinder and the output FLOW RATE ) so that you can adjust the device to the desired FLOW RATE.

The bar CO2 pressure regulator is a device to regulate the pressure. You would then have to make or buy a calibrated orifice in order to take the output pressure from the CO2 pressure regulator and get a flow rate. As well as testing and calibrating (or at least measuring) that flow rate. Wrong device for use as a welding shielding gas flow control device. Great device for setting the CO2 pressure for a bar for soda or beer pressurization.

 

[The Cobbler]

Thanks for the info

 

[Bretny]

A $20 regulator is not a decent regulator. Im sure you can find them for less than $100 just make sure it has the proper fittings and hose. Special adapters add up fast!

 

[pcmeiners]

Try Ebay, Victor 2 stage regulators.....


https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=victor+vts&_sacat=0&_pgn=1

 

[joe_padavano]

Technical answer follows:

The item you want/need is a "flow meter"or "flowgauge regulator" or "flowmeter regulator".

NOT a "pressure regulator".

^^^THIS! A flowmeter looks like this.

 

[Jonboy1974]

Best bang for the buck here.
http://www.usaweld.com/Flowmeter-Hose-p/flowmeters.htm