flow rate for co2 gas

[winnie2457]

hi all i have just aquired from my dads mate a 4ft pub co2 bottle its a all grey cylinder with 100% co2 and also got a regulator with it. i have used co2 in disposable bottles ad i can manage ok its a bit spatty but manageable.

the question is i am buying a flowmeter which is the best amount of flow for welding mild steel with co2 ive heard about 10lpm or not the flow meter goes from 0-25 lpm.

any help would be appreciated thanks.

also any suggestions would not go a miss eg comments on the bottle and gas.

thanks

 

[Luke]

0-25 litres per minute will be fine, In the workshop I generally use 8-10 lpm, outside in a slight breeze maybe around 15 lpm.

 

[winnie2457]

ok thanks mate so 8-10 will be fine then. do you use pure co2 aswell i was thinking of a argon mix but cant really justify the prices since i only weld occasions

 

[Luke]

Nope, Ar/CO2 mix, from Energas, can't remember what they brand it as.

 

[gavuk]

I use 100% co2,for that reason Win,i use pub gas ,and it is hotter and more splattery than argon mix but it is acceptable for car welding and light fab work .....Gav

 

[RapidResponse]

Well when i had a pub. Co2 was black and the grey one's were 60/40 or 70/30 co2/n2.
Worth Checking.

 

[gavuk]

Sorry didn't notice the colour ,all my co2 has been black cylinders as well ....if it has nitrogen it won't work

 

[GTD]

I have a Messler cylinder of CO2 thats grey with a light purple handle "food use only" but seems to work fine