MIG Welding Regulator Advice?

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I don't own a flow meter. My set uses a regular gauge. But I was using a buddies set with gauges and I was having a bad time, laying rotten beads that had all kinds of inclusions. I was blaming everything from bad cleanup of the metal to wind from an open door across the shop. I finally figured out the gauges needed to be turned up to double what they should have been. With a flowmeter I would have been able to glance over and see right away what the problem was.

 

[rangerenthiusiast]

I don't own a flow meter. My set uses a regular gauge. But I was using a buddies set with gauges and I was having a bad time, laying rotten beads that had all kinds of inclusions. I was blaming everything from bad cleanup of the metal to wind from an open door across the shop. I finally figured out the gauges needed to be turned up to double what they should have been. With a flowmeter I would have been able to glance over and see right away what the problem was.

Sorry to keep asking questions, but does anyone know why this would be the case? In other words, why would a flow meter be so much more accurate than a gauge? I bought a Hobart regulator with gauges at Tractor Supply yesterday (they only had one model for sale) because I really wanted to get started on welding finally. It’s still unopened in the package, so it is returnable. I can wait and order one with a flow meter if the difference is really just that big.

Thanks.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Again, I don't own a flow meter and actually have never used one. My previous post is basically a WAG [wild ass guess]. But the flow meter has a ball that floats in the gas stream so you can visually check that gas is flowing and approximately how much, unlike the other type of gauges.

 

[DRanger024]

Again, I don't own a flow meter and actually have never used one. My previous post is basically a WAG [wild ass guess]. But the flow meter has a ball that floats in the gas stream so you can visually check that gas is flowing and approximately how much, unlike the other type of gauges.

Bingo! They’re simply more accurate, more reliable and easier to adjust which in turn will save you money over the long run. They take a little bit more abuse as well.


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[Otis413]

Bingo! They’re simply more accurate, more reliable and easier to adjust which in turn will save you money over the long run. They take a little bit more abuse as well.

What he said..

A pressure gauge will read the same even if the flow is blocked.

Also I'll add that that if you buy / bought a regulator with a gauge you can buy a flowmeter separately and add it on later, (inline of course) even have both if you want! (not sure why, but what the heck!? )

 

[rangerenthiusiast]

Hey thanks, guys! I’ve been using the welder a bit with the gauge-less, non-adjustable regulator that came with it. My landlord says that his welder is the same way. I need a lot more practice, but am short on steel scraps, so the vehicle is beginning to become my practice ground (lol).

At the moment, I just slowly open the tank valve all the way, which is what the instructions seem to indicate is correct to do. Doesn’t really seem like it’s blowing out some ridiculous amount of gas or anything, so maybe it’s built to only allow 12-15 CFH through when wide open... I know that not using enough gas causes crappy welds full of inclusions, but what might using too much cause? Just wondering what to look for.

Eventually, I think I will add a different regulator (that USA Weld one is definitely listed at a nice price, Otis). If nothing else, it would be good to know in advance when my tank is about to run out of gas.

 

[scotts90ranger]

too much gas just uses too much gas... it's a shield... the advantage of an adjustable regulator is if you weld outside with a breeze that blows away the gas which requires more flow to get away from the spatter, with a non adjustable regulator you have to live with some spatter and poor welds at times or a high gas usage rate whatever the case may be.

At this point I don't have anything that needs a regulator other than my oxy/acetylene setup, my wire feed is a cheapo 110V HFT flux core unit and my other welders are stick...

 

[rangerenthiusiast]

too much gas just uses too much gas... it's a shield... the advantage of an adjustable regulator is if you weld outside with a breeze that blows away the gas which requires more flow to get away from the spatter, with a non adjustable regulator you have to live with some spatter and poor welds at times or a high gas usage rate whatever the case may be.

At this point I don't have anything that needs a regulator other than my oxy/acetylene setup, my wire feed is a cheapo 110V HFT flux core unit and my other welders are stick...

Good to know. Thanks, brotha!