argon/co2 bottle regulators

[richard s]

i have just upgraded from the disposable bottles to a refillable argon/co2 bottle and need a regulator i was going to buy one of the weldequip conversion regulators but i need one that is side mount and the weldequip ones seem to be top mount does anyone know where i would get side mount conversion regs from
cheers

 

[madkayaker]

the one from weld equip will fit any bottle

 

[Robotstar5]

The regulator will work OK side mounted, you just need to tilt your head to read the guages!

 

[wyn]

As the others say ..it shouldn't be a problem.
I'm using a top mounting gauge in a side fitting bottle with the dials facing the floor.

 

[richard s]

just had another look at them and the co2 ones are side mount and the mount fitting looks to screw out. can an argon bottle fitting be used in co2 gauges
cheers

 

[madkayaker]

there different threads but you can get an adaptor

 

[wyn]

Swapping the stems is a dodgy business as that side of the regulator will have the full bottle pressure on it.

 

[Robotstar5]

can an argon bottle fitting be used in co2 gauges

Not a good idea - seriously high pressures involved

 

[madkayaker]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/co2-regulater...tem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item230529f28c

 

[richard s]

cheers for the replies and cheers for the link
i suppose when you look at pressures of upto 300 bar it is quite a lot of pressure to be screwing with
i think ptfe and duck tape should hold and seal it pretty well though
but i think i will use the proper set up as i dont have any ptfe tape

 

[madkayaker]

ptfe tape is a very bad idea on bottles if you need it you are doing something wrong

 

[richard s]

just kidding about the ptfe
i think i am going to just get an argon set as the co2 set looks to have a long shaft then you put an adaptor and it gets even longer and looks like it could be sat proud of the bottle quite a bit
it would have been good to swap stems between gauges (purely for aesthetics) but as mentioned its the full pressure side of the bottle and just not worth risking messing around with
cheers

 

[madkayaker]

that's ok then problem is some dizzy sod might just break out the PTFE

 

[mike os]

high pressure argon/co2 regs are identical, (both of mine are even marked argon/co2) low pressure co2 regs should never be adapted to fit high pressure cylinders.

one is on a horizontal outlet.. valves up & flow meter vertical

300bar is quite a bit of pressure ( as in angelina jolie (or sparkie as she is known here) is quite sexy ) & not worth the risks for a £25 part

 

[richard s]

is there much difference between argon regs. the only reason i ask is i found that the place where i got my mask from (wecs) have some swp gauges for £17+vat and the adaptor hose for £10
the weldequip regs would need posting and the wecs regs i can pick up in my lunch break but if the wecs ones are poor quality then i would rather wait a few days for better stuff
whats the opinions on the swp regs quality wise
cheers