Sanity Checking Gas Flow

[aesmith]

Hi, if you look at a MIG bead, what signs would show you that you don't have enough shielding gas?

Just looking for a sanity check because I've just checked with a pea shooter and my previous flow rate was off the scale. I have to turn the regulator almost completely off to get 10 or 12 on the pea shooter, which doesn't seem right.

It's SGS Argon/5%.

This is the regulator, I was adjusting the black knob. The right hand guage doesn't read anything ..

And a quick couple of blobs with the gas rate set. They're silver which doesn'trelly show in the picture...

 

[Jack Ryan]

Your gauge is a pressure gauge, not a flow gauge. If you set that to 10 psi, the flow will be very high.

Believe the "pea shooter" and I would get a regulator-flowmeter to replace the regulator you have.

If there wasn't enough gas coverage, you would have porosity and spatter. Was that flow set with the "pea shooter" or the pressure gauge?

Jack

 

[prepman]

No valve on the 'peashooter' ? This CO2(stock pic) same on Argon 19 psi adjust with valve.

 

[aesmith]

Believe the "pea shooter" and I would get a regulator-flowmeter to replace the regulator you have.

If there wasn't enough gas coverage, you would have porosity and spatter. Was that flow set with the "pea shooter" or the pressure gauge?

Thanks. I set the rate using the pea shooter.

 

[aesmith]

No valve on the 'peashooter' ?

No, it's one like this, tests the flow out of the torch itself ..

Gas Test Flowmeter

Buy GAS TEST FLOWMETER on-line today for next day UK delivery

www.r-techwelding.co.uk

 

[prepman]

No that's flow check meter...you need flow control see pic.

Pardon our interruption...

 

[Jack Ryan]

You can get a flowmeter to connect to the output of your regulator but then you have to adjust the pressure as well as the flow.

I suggest getting a regulator-flowmeter like this:


They are inexpensive but effective. I'd avoid the really cheap ones that are sold online. Buy from someone who supports what they sell.

Jack

 

[aesmith]

No that's flow check meter...you need flow control see pic.

Pardon our interruption...

What does the black knob on my regulator do? I was thinking to check flow with the pea shooter before starting, adjust the black knob if needed.

 

[chrismac]

What does the black knob on my regulator do? I was thinking to check flow with the pea shooter before starting, adjust the black knob if needed.

the black knob on your regulator reduces the output pressure if you screw it out, screw it in the ups the output pressure,

A pet hate of mine in the oh mighty woosh of gas when either mig or tig torches are started up, absolutely no need for that kind of pressure, a nice steady flow is all thats required,

 

[Jack Ryan]

What does the black knob on my regulator do? I was thinking to check flow with the pea shooter before starting, adjust the black knob if needed.

That will work, but it is tedious. Better to use a flow meter (like I pictured)

Jack

 

[Jack Ryan]

A pet hate of mine in the oh mighty woosh of gas when either mig or tig torches are started up, absolutely no need for that kind of pressure, a nice steady flow is all thats required,

You can reduce the working pressure of a regulator-flowmeter, but then it is not calibrated.

Better to choose one that has a low calibration pressure in the first place - but that likely costs more.

Probably over complicating this thread though.

Jack

 

[chrismac]

You can reduce the working pressure of a regulator-flowmeter, but then it is not calibrated.

Better to choose one that has a low calibration pressure in the first place - but that likely costs more.



Jack

I was referring to the welding persons deciding they want to screw the pressure up, they feel more gas is needed when its not.

Not all applications require a calibrated regulator, to be honest I dont think I have come across one? the majority or regulators I have used have the ability to freely adjust the output pressure.

I agree low pressure is better.

Chris

 

[prepman]

You already a regulator which is there to reduce cyclinder pressure 3,000 psi down a low ~10 psi. But you don't have to valve to control flow, The flowcontrol in Ebay pic connects directly to the regulator outlet, this valve is on this and you that to set flow to. At the moment you have missing parts.

 

[Jack Ryan]

I was referring to the welding persons deciding they want to screw the pressure up, they feel more gas is needed when its not.

Yes, that's a problem. I guess that's why some have keys and in other cases the flow is controlled by software in the welding machine.

Not all applications require a calibrated regulator,

That's right, but a reasonable calibration is good for repeatability.

to be honest I dont think I have come across one? the majority or regulators I have used have the ability to freely adjust the output pressure.

Most can be adjusted but I think all are calibrated for a fixed pressure. If you have a flowmeter, the calibration pressure is probably marked on the side.

But you are right, often, close is good.

Jack

 

[aesmith]

Thanks everyone. Backtracking from discussion about additional gear I could or should, what would be the visual signs I should look for if gas flow is too low?

 

[Misterg]

what would be the visual signs I should look for if gas flow is too low?

Welds like this:

Note the porosity in the weld bead and the amount of spatter on the nearby metal.

(Not one of mine, I hasten to add - just one holding my garage roof up )

You also get a fizzing sound and showers of sparks while you're welding.

 

[chrismac]

Thanks everyone. Backtracking from discussion about additional gear I could or should, what would be the visual signs I should look for if gas flow is too low?

If your still using you machine straight of the regulator, just screw the adjustment in until you get a small flow of gas, if your welding inside you just need enough to create an inert atmosphere around the weld metal, as low as possible…. If your getting porosity wind the knob back out, you dont need a gale coming out the torch just a controled flow, it will be fine, I have used only a regulator lots of times with no issues, I am also tight and dont want to waste gas!! Believe me I have it screwed i to the minimum flow required.

 

[aesmith]

If your still using you machine straight of the regulator, just screw the adjustment in until you get a small flow of gas, if your welding inside you just need enough to create an inert atmosphere around the weld metal, as low as possible….

Thanks. Yes still straight from the regulator. When I first checked with the peashooter it was off the scale, screwing the regulator almost right down gives a reading of 12 l/minute. That's much much less than I must have been using before.

 

[aesmith]

Welds like this:

Note the porosity in the weld bead and the amount of spatter on the nearby metal.

That's what mine looked like with the gas not working at all. The bead was a matt dark grey as well.

 

[chrismac]

Thanks. Yes still straight from the regulator. When I first checked with the peashooter it was off the scale, screwing the regulator almost right down gives a reading of 12 l/minute. That's much much less than I must have been using before.

and thats about right.