Regulator output sensitivity

[SHogan]

Afternoon all, I've picked up a MIG welder (and the welder choice may be controversial given the debate that rages on other parts of this forum but that's another story altogether! ) and I'm sorting out my gas. I've gone down the BOC Volkszone route and am waiting for the paperwork to come my way so I need to sort out a regulator. With the twin dial regulators (i.e. tank pressure and output flow) I'm wondering how sensitive the output readings are. Is it worth getting a flow meter such as a the 'floating ball' type or is the output flow rate reading sensitive enough on a regulator so I can dial in a flow of ~10 litres per minute?
Thanks in advance!

 

[cumbriasteve]

A flow meter is a nice to have gadget that may in the long run pay for itself by accurate flow settings, personally I just use my twin dial reg with no problems at all.

 

[SHogan]

Thanks for the prompt reply Steve, much appreciated. I might give it a bash without one and see how I get on. Not having one will give me a good excuse for my terrible beads as I begin to practice and if I do get one I've little doubt that I'll smash the end off it through sheer cack-handidness!

 

[daleyd]

I'd get one for the price, they're not overly expensive and as Steve says, they'll probably it for themselves in 1 bottle of gas. Not essential though, I did without for a while.

 

[Richard.]

'stick on the torch' type.

peashooter. These are a more accurate way of measuring flow rate IMO because you're taking the measurement from exactly where it's important (at the weld pool) flow meters are good 10lpm measured at the reg dose not mean your getting that 5 Mtrs down the line. I have a twin stage elga with flow tubes and I still read 1/2 lpm more at the reg than I do at the shroud through losses on 6 Mtrs of lines. Best thing is as Pdg said they are less than 10 quid.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

I was in the same boat, but following numerous posts on here [where, let's face it, virtually everybody knows more about welding than I do ] I bought a pea-shooter and discovered that the dual gauge I have wasn't that accurate in terms of measuring flow rate(s).

 

[backpurge]

As has been said above, go for the pea shooter type