new to forum - regulator question

[jim partlo]

hello - just bought a clarke 160t from machine mart (wanted to get practising this week) so bought it a little impulsively. i was able to acquire a co2 bottle from my friendly local landlord but when i came to fit the regulator the fittings are not compatible. the bottle has a male fitting at it's output and the regulator also has a male thread with a mushroom, domed shaped end. being new to the mig welding world i thought there would be standard fittings but it appears not to be the case. i wonder if there is a male to female connector i can buy or do i need to get a new regulator?
thanks in advance for any advice.
jim

 

[shenion]

CO2 tanks have a male fitting. Argon mix tanks have a female one (CGA-540 vs CGA-580 if I remember right.) You will need an adapter:


I got mine of ebay; with shipping, it cost me almost as much as a cheap regulator. You might want to PM weldequip or DIYwelding on adpaters or the price of a regulator with a CO2 fitting.

 

[jim partlo]

great! thanks for quick response. looks like exactly what i'm looking for, will persue. thanks again.
jim

 

[shenion]

There is another type shown in this thread. You might ask justme where he got his.

 

[fingers99]

Just be careful that it is CO2, not "pub gas" which contains nitrogen. If your welds are truly horrible, then nitrogen is a possible reason.