Help converting a Clarke 151TE to 'big bottles'

[chriscalcite]

Hi guys, I need some advice here. My local Machine Mart is about to have a VAT-free day and I am thinking of taking advantage and buying a Clarke 151TE. This is for home use, but I do want to convert it to big bottles. What extra kit would I need? I know I'd need a regulator, but is there anything else? Machine Mart sell several different kinds of regulators - are these worth getting during the VAT-free day? And if so, which one??! They have one and two-gauge regulators for Argon and CO2. I was planning on using Agoshield, so would I get the Argon one, and if so, can I not switch to pure CO2 with it? (i.e. I have no idea why the regulators should be different for the different gases!)

Your suggestions welcomed.

Chris

 

[irondarren]

argon and co2 have different outlet pipes at the bottle, so the fitting on the regulator is different argon/co2 mix produces a better quality weld than just co2, but there is a difference in price with co2 being cheaper. if your playing with cars argoshield light would be a far better choice (or its equivelent from other makers).
the difference normally between 1 and 2 guage regs, is the one guage just gives bottle pressure, so you know how full it is, a 2 guage give output flow as well. worth the extra few quid for a 2 guage reg as it makes it easier to set the correct gas flow when welding.

i think on the forum weldequip has replied to several threads of a similar nature and been kind enough to post pics of the conversion kit and regulators.

 

[MarkMG]

If you buy a CO2 regulator you can buy an adapter for Argon mix bottles, not sure you can the other way around.

 

[oddball90]

Think it might be the other way round, Argoshield is filled to a bottle pressure of 230 bar(2300psi). So i would use the right regulator for the job, pm weldquip or search the forum for the price(about£40).

 

[weldequip]

Hi guys, I need some advice here. My local Machine Mart is about to have a VAT-free day and I am thinking of taking advantage and buying a Clarke 151TE. This is for home use, but I do want to convert it to big bottles. What extra kit would I need? I know I'd need a regulator, but is there anything else? Machine Mart sell several different kinds of regulators - are these worth getting during the VAT-free day? And if so, which one??! They have one and two-gauge regulators for Argon and CO2. I was planning on using Agoshield, so would I get the Argon one, and if so, can I not switch to pure CO2 with it? (i.e. I have no idea why the regulators should be different for the different gases!)

Your suggestions welcomed.

Chris

If you intend to go straight up to refillable gas cylinders Chris forget the 151TE & go for the 160TE; it is already supplied with the argon regulator for refillable cylinders + has a cylinder carrier on the rear
weldequip

 

[chriscalcite]

Thanks guys - I now understand why there needs to be different regulators a bit better. Thanks too weldequip - looks like the difference in price between the 151TE and the 160TE is small compared to having it big bottle ready!