What's a good regulator for a tig welder? I was about to pull my hair out trying to weld aluminum. Tried different settings, cups, torches and even tanks. Turns out my Harris regulator with the sight glass flow meter was the culprit. I had another regulator that came with Thermal Arc stick welder but I don't want to switch regulators around each time I use a different welder.
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Tig welder regulator
- Thread starter Mgdoug3
- Start date
rlitman
Well-known member
If it's a ball that floats in a tube, it isn't rocket science, and a $20 flow meter regulator will work as well as a $200 one.What is wrong with the flowmeter?
I'm not entirely sure but I noticed when I opened the valve, it was slow to show the pressure in the tank. The flow meter was definitely bad though because after switching it out, I could weld aluminum again.What is wrong with the flowmeter?
If you want 'the best', Victor and Harris are generally considered the brands to stick with. Your diaphragm and/or spring is more than likely worn out. This is not an uncommon issue regardless of what brand you use. If you have a local weld supply house nearby, you should be able to have your Harris rebuilt, which should be cheaper than buying a whole new unit.
One question - do you back off your flow knob when you are done welding? If not, I'd encourage you to start doing so. It takes the pressure off the diaphragm when its not in use and can help to prolong its service life.
One question - do you back off your flow knob when you are done welding? If not, I'd encourage you to start doing so. It takes the pressure off the diaphragm when its not in use and can help to prolong its service life.
Firebrick43
Well-known member
Um, victor is a shell of what it used to be and most of their stuff is offshored now.If you want 'the best', Victor and Harris are generally considered the brands to stick with. Your diaphragm and/or spring is more than likely worn out. This is not an uncommon issue regardless of what brand you use. If you have a local weld supply house nearby, you should be able to have your Harris rebuilt, which should be cheaper than buying a whole new unit.
One question - do you back off your flow knob when you are done welding? If not, I'd encourage you to start doing so. It takes the pressure off the diaphragm when its not in use and can help to prolong its service life.
Harris is ok, but Smith/miller is better and airco/concoa is the Cadillac, especially their two stage regulators.
An airco is so stable in pressure delivery that until the bottle runs completely out it will regulate a stable as can be, instead of fiddling with the knob as the bottle gets low all the time.
I always close the tank valves and release all pressure from the lines using the torch. That's the only proper way to do it. I would NEVER leave any pressure on any regulator, flow valve or anything else. It's just one of those good work practices to get into.
Kinda like turning the compressor off before leaving the shop for the night. You don't have too but it is a good idea.
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Kinda like turning the compressor off before leaving the shop for the night. You don't have too but it is a good idea.
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Um, victor is a shell of what it used to be and most of their stuff is offshored now.
Harris is ok, but Smith/miller is better and airco/concoa is the Cadillac, especially their two stage regulators...
Smith... that was the other brand I was trying to think of!
Good to know on Victor. While I haven't had issues with their stuff, I'll certainly keep that in mind. We only run their torches though.