Gauges

[rogerowen]

Having just gassed up my gasless Clarke EN90, I've discovered a new weld! It's completely different to what I've been used to - but my gas ran out really quickly. I'm going to get a big Argoshield bottle and a regulator, but I'm a bit confused. I've seen a thing called a Flow-Meter, what's the difference between this and the dial that's already on the regulator? And, is there an ideal setting for the dial to help http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/dontknow.gifgas economy? Thanks

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

Yeah, you'll find that the disposable argoshield like bottles last about 6 or 7 mins of welding. The Co2 slightly longer. The 'flowmeter' on the regulator is just a pressure gauge with marked indications for gas instead of pressure. It gives a general guide though sometimes very innacurate. If you are doing a lot of welding and trying to conserve gas then an inline or a torch testing pea shooter flowmeter is a good investment. If you are outside then 10LPM is more than enough. Welding on a bench in a workshop or factory then you can have it as low as 5 or 6lpm.

 

[rogerowen]

Yeah, you'll find that the disposable argoshield like bottles last about 6 or 7 mins of welding. The Co2 slightly longer. The 'flowmeter' on the regulator is just a pressure gauge with marked indications for gas instead of pressure. It gives a general guide though sometimes very innacurate. If you are doing a lot of welding and trying to conserve gas then an inline or a torch testing pea shooter flowmeter is a good investment. If you are outside then 10LPM is more than enough. Welding on a bench in a workshop or factory then you can have it as low as 5 or 6lpm.

That's great - thanks. I got quite a shock when I got through the first bottle so quickly. I then bought a small Co2, which lasted a little longer but didn't finish the weld I was doing and put me £18 out of pocket!