Mig flowmeter suggestions?

[Cord]

Need a flowmeter for my mig welder. Not interested in Chinese junk, but I also don't need a industrial grade Victor unit. Is it possible to get a flowmeter that can regulate both straight C02 and C02 mixes? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Shield Arc]

A lot of people are really happy with this flow meter.
HTP Argon CO2 MIG TIG Flow Meter Regulator Welding Weld | eBay

 

[yomax4]

Free shipping on that HTP is a no brainer. Flow meters are really less accurate than a flow gauge if you do the research but they can show a leak faster. It's what ever you like. Mig or Tig, Not that fussy. They'll let you know if the CFH is too low. The only thing to watch out for is that a lot of the low cost flow meters struggle with higher flow CO2. They tend to freeze up under hard use. I wouldn't worry in 80% of the cases.

 

[k0ua]

A lot of people are really happy with this flow meter.
HTP Argon CO2 MIG TIG Flow Meter Regulator Welding Weld | eBay

That is what I have and that is where I got it, and I don't see the need for anything more. YMMV.

 

[roadhunter]

Periodically check for leaks. I had a one fail a while back and didn't' catch it until I left a bottle open overnight on accident. I learned my lesson. It was similar to that one but did not have a machined collar. I suspect it always leaked and it was so slow I never noticed as I am pretty good about turning them off.

 

[disney]

Not trying to hi jack the tread, but have a related question. I bought a large older miller tig (have not even fired it up yet), and this harris brand gauge/regulator came with it. Can I use this one for straight co2, and get the HTP for argon/co2 mix?

 

[dragoneggs]

I for one don't understand why gas/mix would make a bit of difference on pressure gauges. Hoping someone can explain?

 

[k0ua]

I for one don't understand why gas/mix would make a bit of difference on pressure gauges. Hoping someone can explain?

I would think that the varying density of the gas would effect the way the ball floating in the column of gas reads out. In other words, a more dense gas like CO2 would float the indicator ball differently than say a lighter gas. *

* disclaimer, I am not much of a physicist or Chemist, and did not stay in a Holiday Inn last night either. I am just a deplorable Hillbilly, but the above thought popped into my aging brain.

 

[dragoneggs]

I would think that the varying density of the gas would effect the way the ball floating in the column of gas reads out. In other words, a more dense gas like CO2 would float the indicator ball differently than say a lighter gas. *

* disclaimer, I am not much of a physicist or Chemist, and did not stay in a Holiday Inn last night either. I am just a deplorable Hillbilly, but the above thought popped into my aging brain.

Maybe an explanation for the floating ball type, but what about the simple dial gauges, or maybe they just aren't that accurate? ... and I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn last night either but I do stay at way too many Hampton Inns throughout the year.

 

[yomax4]

The flow Gauge can be used for all inert gases. It works off of pressure. Actually More accurate too. The flow meter needs different calibrations for different gas due to density as stated above. The flow meter will show a leak better than a flow gauge. Either is fine because if you're not getting porosity you have enough CFH. If you want to use the Argon flow gauge for CO2 there is an adaptor available from Western or Superior part# 806. If you leave your tank turned on and it's empty in the morning it is more likely that the gas went the other way. Out the welder gas solenoid.

 

[k0ua]

A word to the wise: Don't leave your tank turned on when not in use.

 

[dragoneggs]

A word to the wise: Don't leave your tank turned on when not in use.

Really? I just upgraded to a larger (60gal) tank compressor. I have been leaving it auto/on 24/7. It's a lot of air to drain. Are you suggesting to just turn it off or depressurize as well? Takes me 7 minutes to fill from zero... and a fair amount of time to purposely empty.

 

[k0ua]

Really? I just upgraded to a larger (60gal) tank compressor. I have been leaving it auto/on 24/7. It's a lot of air to drain. Are you suggesting to just turn it off or depressurize as well? Takes me 7 minutes to fill from zero... and a fair amount of time to purposely empty.

I am referring to your high pressure argon or CO2 tank as used for welding. I don't trust solenoids and regulator diaphragms not to leak.

 

[dragoneggs]

I am referring to your high pressure argon or CO2 tank as used for welding. I don't trust solenoids and regulator diaphragms not to leak.

Aha! Yes, agreed. I have air compressor on my mind as I have been plumbing my shop, trying to reduce moisture in the supply, etc. I should start a thread on my ordeal with my new HD compressor.

 

[yomax4]

Aha! Yes, agreed. I have air compressor on my mind as I have been plumbing my shop, trying to reduce moisture in the supply, etc. I should start a thread on my ordeal with my new HD compressor.

I have a ball valve 1st in line on my compressor. I always forget to turn it off when done. It takes a while but I can hear the compressor in my shop kicking on from the house in summer months. If this was my mig or tig tank, I'd be broke by now.

 

[dragoneggs]

I have a ball valve 1st in line on my compressor. I always forget to turn it off when done. It takes a while but I can hear the compressor in my shop kicking on from the house in summer months. If this was my mig or tig tank, I'd be broke by now.

So do I... I guess I should turn that off nightly because I do have a very slow leak downstream. Well I think it is downstream in the quick connections but actually haven't tried to isolate it yet. So much better than my old 20gal compressor that leaked such that it was cycling so much it was very annoying.