Regulator

[atomant48]

Hi all. Thinking of trying a proper sized bottle after going through umpteen of the disposable cylinders.

I mainly use argon/co2 mix - but i will need a new regulator. Lots turn up on auction sites but can anyone recommend something good?

Machine is a 151 turbo. Thanks in advance!

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

Wescol are what most use and are in the region of £20-£30 depending on if you need an adapter hose.

 

[ChrisJohnsSculpture]

You should be able to get a decent regulator from any reputable welding supplier. As long as they don't actually leak they aren't that critical to weld quality. The dial type flow meters are best treated as a rough guide to actual flowrate, the 'peashooter'types ones are more accurate but you can get one to screw onto a standard regulator pretty cheaply, but for MIG welding they aren't really needed.

Given the price of gas it's also well worth spending a bit of time tweaking the flow rate so that you're not using any more than you need to. Start at around 15lpm and turn it down until you start to see bad welds then turn it up a bit.

Make adjustments with the gas flowing, disconnect the wire feed to avoid wasting wire.

 

[Flathead_Dave]

You won't go far wrong here

http://www.weldequip.com/regulators-gas.htm

You need to decide if your using BOC full size,or side entry smaller type.
If you're starting from the small plastic pipe,it's worth getting the regs with the conversion pipe already fitted.

 

[atomant48]

Thanks guys for advice. British made - sold.

I was about to order a bottle from welders warehouse but saw adams gas in a mag which looks quite a bit cheaper? I will have to compare the exact sizes more.

Also see there is 5% CO2 and 20%. I do mainly sheetmetal stuff - any advice which is best? I assume the 5% but i think some of the little disposables ive used are 20%?

 

[shenion]

Also see there is 5% CO2 and 20%. I do mainly sheetmetal stuff - any advice which is best? I assume the 5% but i think some of the little disposables ive used are 20%?

They are about the same. The 5% mixes have 2% or so of O2. O2 is about 8 times as effective as adding heat to the weld pool as CO2. That makes it almost the same as 80/20 Ar/CO2 mixes.

The 5% probably will have a bit less spatter.

 

[CKJDJK]

BOC are now doing 2 litre argoshield light for the DIY/mobile welder. Suppliers in many areas. http://www.boconline.co.uk/products.../2_litre_argoshield_light_filled_cylinder.asp £18/year rent and £16 refil. Can be returned within 12 month period for refund of remaing rent. Might be worth a look.
Chris

 

[Flathead_Dave]

BOC are now doing 2 litre argoshield light for the DIY/mobile welder. Suppliers in many areas. http://www.boconline.co.uk/products.../2_litre_argoshield_light_filled_cylinder.asp £18/year rent and £16 refil. Can be returned within 12 month period for refund of remaing rent. Might be worth a look.
Chris

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=34504

 

[CKJDJK]

Sorry Dave, missed your post.
Chris

 

[atomant48]

Thanks Chris. Looking at that theres a BOC supplier just half a mile from me that i didnt know about. Great now, but wish i'd known Sat morning before going to a large retailer for an expensive tiny disposable bottle!