Having tried out my Migmate using gasless wire (got reasonable welds but don't like the smoke) I thought I wpould try with co2. I have one of the single knob regulators for disposable co2 bottles. It has 3 outlets, one for the supply to the mig, a second is sealed with a hexagon plug and the third is sealed with a circular plug which has a small central hole. If I connect the reg to a disposable bottle I get gas zooming out of the plug with the centre hole rather than the mig outlet. Am I missing something or is the reg u/s? What is the outlet with the small hole for anyway? What are the working parts inside this sort of reg? on Any advice would be appreciated.
- Thread starter roop5
- Start date
Thanks for the replies. I'm sure I'm using the right outlet because it already has the quick release plastic pipe fittings. Also the other two outlets are obviously meant to be as they are--ie havent been modified at all. If the small hole is a relief valve it would be unwise to block it. But if gas is escaping there it seems to indicate there is a problem in the diaphragm area preventing gas getting to the mig outlet. Should I dismantle the reg to have a look? I'm not clear as to how the reg actually works could you explain?
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Reckon the reg is shot, gas should only be flowing out of the outlet, nowhere else. Don't bother trying to repair it either, in my opinion it's just not worth messing about with, buy a new one which you know you can trust, you don't get much welding time out of disposables, the last thing you want to be doing is wasting gas 
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.Horrorking
Welding anything I can!
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Yeah I had a somilar problem with my week old regulator. Took it back in the hope of getting it sent away to be tested & replaced. Same sort of regulator, but for large bottles - no pressure gauge or flow meter. When the store owner tested it he replaced it with a new unit that has pressure and flow indication & now I am welding better than ever, and the sudden shot of rather high pressure gas from the line when you press the trigger has all but disappeared and you get normal flow from the start.
In short, go get a decent regulator as it will save you gas in the long run, especially with the small bottles
In short, go get a decent regulator as it will save you gas in the long run, especially with the small bottles
Thanks for all the replies---I will get a new reg. Now, I remember seeing one which had a built in flow gauge on top of the diaphragm chamber (the sort with a little ball which goes up and down in a tube), this seems like a good idea. But---I can't find anything like it in the usual suppliers lists---can anyone give a lead on this ( I think it was a German make)-- remember, I'm using disposable cylinders.
malcolm
& Clementine the Cat
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Disposables are a hassle for regulators. No chance of a twin gauge one. Barely any chance of a no gauge one that actually lets any gas through. Though max on one of those if often fairly close.
There is a device that plugs on to the end of a torch you can use to judge the gas flow. Not sure what it is called or how to find it, but it's been mentioned on the forum before if you fancy a whole load of searching.
I tend to do it by ear - twiddle the regulator until the weld is nice with none of the black covering or holes, and remember what the hiss from the torch sounded like. Trick is to get that much flow out of one of those regulators even screwed right down.
There is a device that plugs on to the end of a torch you can use to judge the gas flow. Not sure what it is called or how to find it, but it's been mentioned on the forum before if you fancy a whole load of searching.
I tend to do it by ear - twiddle the regulator until the weld is nice with none of the black covering or holes, and remember what the hiss from the torch sounded like. Trick is to get that much flow out of one of those regulators even screwed right down.
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Diy welding sells peashooters. PM him for a price or see his website.
Rich.C
Member
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You can get twin gauge regulators for disposables http://www.welduk.com/Details.asp?ProductID=417
Gas mark 5
Member
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- Leeds / Harwell, UK
Phew! It is not just me! I had a real saga with this, I first tried it with a little disposable and gas wooshed out the hole, but I (stupidly) persevered and got it on. When it was on (screwed on really tight) no gas escaped, but then no gas came out when I turned the knob. I sent it back the the manufactures and they gave me a new one which still wooshed a lot, but this time some gas came out when I opened it so I used that, but I think it must be still wrong because I am still having problems with lack of gas. I can't hear the gas coming out of the tourch when held at arm lenght even with the welder off (which I am told is the test...) I think I will just get a big bottle.
