Argon regulator ? Availability

[Wayne.]

Are these type of reg's available in the uk ?

 

[hotrodder]

Yeah, Harris do a dual flowmeter reg that's available over here with the correct BS341 fittings, dunno about Victor stuff or other brands besides the spendy GasIQ / Elga Optimator II which also exists branded as ESAB. I reckon a Y splitter is a better way of doing things... better value for money, easier + cheaper to sort if something gets broken and/or if you pay attention to regulator 'use by dates'.

Personally i use a single stage, single gauge fixed output Harris reg and valved Y splitter with an optimator flowmeter (adds a second stage to reduce gas surge etc) for the welder and a cheap Harris flowmeter for purging

 

[backpurge]

Agree with HR, as he says if one piece of the set up gets broken you can easily replace it

 

[Richard.]

I use this set up. Again it's multistage. As hr said though very spendy. It's really really good stuff. My only bug bear is I wish I'd gone for a finer scale on the flow tubes. No biggy for me as I check it at the torch often enough.

 

[Wayne.]

I use this set up. Again it's multistage. As hr said though very spendy. It's really really good stuff. My only bug bear is I wish I'd gone for a finer scale on the flow tubes. No biggy for me as I check it at the torch often enough. View attachment 71779

What sort of price is that Richard & should I be sat down lol

 

[Richard.]

I bought bits separate which worked out a little more costly but I think you'll pay around £200 for it complete. Rapid do them.

 

[Richard.]

The tube on the right is your main Gas flow through the torch the pipe is fitted to the Far right connector not the bottom of the tube. The tube on the left is your purge and the line connects to this tube in the conventional way at the bottom. There is a open/close valve on the purge tube but the main flow at the torch is set on the pressure adjuster at the front.
Not a silly question at all they are set up a little different to others. They are really good though. Very high quality. Nice savings on gas usage, minimal start up surge and just very consistent. I'd have another. I used to always use the murex saffires before this. They are equally as good IMO.

 

[Wayne.]

I use this set up. Again it's multistage. As hr said though very spendy. It's really really good stuff. My only bug bear is I wish I'd gone for a finer scale on the flow tubes. No biggy for me as I check it at the torch often enough. View attachment 71779

Richard had a look at one of those ouch spendy indeed on this one at rapid http://www.rapidwelding.com/dynamic/DisplayItem.aspx?c=3739-2010&zl=2 the flow meters read from 0 to 34lpm they don't seem to list one with a smaller scale ie 0 to 14

 

[Richard.]

Richard had a look at one of those ouch spendy indeed on this one at rapid http://www.rapidwelding.com/dynamic/DisplayItem.aspx?c=3739-2010&zl=2 the flow meters read from 0 to 34lpm they don't seem to list one with a smaller scale ie 0 to 14

I believe Elga do do a finer scale (wish I had known that at time) but tbh it doesn't bother me.

 

[Richard.]

I see now, cheers - the layout isn't exactly obvious!

Would you say better than a good quality 'normal' reg with 'y' piece?

It's quality kit yes but there are others out there cheaper that are very good also. Bear in mind this is a 2 stage reg. So they are pricey in general. I bought the reg first off then I bought the second flow Metre and through piece to link them.

 

[Wayne.]

Hmm what to do now have to decide what way to go

 

[Richard.]

Tbh. Do as HR suggests. A decent reg a Y peice and a couple of flow meters. Unless you wanna spend big bucks. Also like he says it's much easier to replace bits as needed. If mine breaks it's an expensive chuck away because I won't repair them out of principle.

 

[Wayne.]

Thanks Richard your advice is appreciated

 

[Richard.]

Thanks Richard your advice is appreciated

Here's mine. It's a little different to the pic but same unit. This is a top entry version with an adaptor so I use on both bottle styles if need be. I have a side entry one as well without the purge flow metre.

 

[mit]

I know it is an old thread, but since there was mentioned the Optimator Gas saver upgade I didn't want to open a new thread just for this, so.....

It's quality kit yes but there are others out there cheaper that are very good also. Bear in mind this is a 2 stage reg. So they are pricey in general. I bought the reg first off then I bought the second flow Metre and through piece to link them.

In other words, you had an Optimator I and then you unscrewed the through Flowmeter piece and replaced with the piece with threaded end (to screw on the second Flowmeter)?