NigelAylesbury
Member
- Messages
- 78
Hello
I thought I would pass this one on.
Some time ago I accidentally walked into the MIG gas regulator gauge, spanner first, breaking the glass, and making the gauge scrap.
The sellers of the regulator, well-known gas supply company, said I needed a completely new regulator at £90 each. I could not buy a new gauge for it, as it comes under the pressure equipment directive, would need to be tested etc...” Far cheaper, just to buy a new one “ - 
I took it to work and had it checked out with a suitable gauge on to make sure all is well. We design and build very high-pressure gas compressors- we know what we are doing. Regulator worked fine. Bought a fluid filled gauge off eBay, from a reputable supplier (£8 supplied), and fitted it. Checked it at work - No problems at all. 14 months later. Tried some welding yesterday, and opened the valve on the bottle (with 150 bars in it) VERY slowly. The gauge is obviously leaking, with me scrambling with the key to get it shut off, the gas fills up the gauge itself and fires, and yes, I think “fires” is a suitable word,
a rubber grommet from the top of the gauge into the garage ceiling. Glycerine everywhere. Luckily, the spare regulator supplied with my Portamig works just fine.
I have now ordered a proper gauge costing £25 from the same suppliers of equipment we have at work. or do I bite the bullet and buy a new regulator?
Do not buy cheap gauges.
I thought I would pass this one on.
Some time ago I accidentally walked into the MIG gas regulator gauge, spanner first, breaking the glass, and making the gauge scrap.
The sellers of the regulator, well-known gas supply company, said I needed a completely new regulator at £90 each. I could not buy a new gauge for it, as it comes under the pressure equipment directive, would need to be tested etc...” Far cheaper, just to buy a new one “ - I took it to work and had it checked out with a suitable gauge on to make sure all is well. We design and build very high-pressure gas compressors- we know what we are doing. Regulator worked fine. Bought a fluid filled gauge off eBay, from a reputable supplier (£8 supplied), and fitted it. Checked it at work - No problems at all. 14 months later. Tried some welding yesterday, and opened the valve on the bottle (with 150 bars in it) VERY slowly. The gauge is obviously leaking, with me scrambling with the key to get it shut off, the gas fills up the gauge itself and fires, and yes, I think “fires” is a suitable word,
a rubber grommet from the top of the gauge into the garage ceiling. Glycerine everywhere. Luckily, the spare regulator supplied with my Portamig works just fine. I have now ordered a proper gauge costing £25 from the same suppliers of equipment we have at work. or do I bite the bullet and buy a new regulator?
Do not buy cheap gauges.
ive done it
