has any one else had this where the gauge reads empty.
mine did but continued welding for another 1/2 hr.
which is about 30" bead.
think its time I bought a new regulator.
dont worry about it ,,, one of the mig sets i use reads empty and I weld for a week , the contents gauge is really just an indication as to what may be left in the bottle . gas blending these days is all done digitally , but bottle test rig I made for a friend of mine a few years ago has an analogue main gauge , its eight inch dia and has all sorts of features for accuracy , but the thirty quid digi read out is still more accurate , so a two inch ten pound throw away really is just a guide.
I've got a new parweld regulator for my TIG set up. The pressure can read zero but it is still good for a bit more welding after that. I think if you buy a new one it isn't likely to be anymore accurate than the one you have.