mig welder gas regulators

[jaky cakes]

Just got myself a mig welder, and was advised not to bother with the small disposable gas bottles - but get a proper bottle and regulator.
Quick question to anyone in the know - is there any diffrence in regulators - ie could i use a oxygen reg' from an oxy/acetylene set up or does it have to be a dedicated reg' for argon / argonmix / co2 . Ive seen some regulators that are single and some double stage??
any help???

BTW - got mig welder from B&Q of all places - its a (SIP ?) Cosmo 170 turbo dual - biggest they do- welds up to 6mm M/steel (60% duty cycle) for only £150...

[Nismo]

I really should know the answer to this as i have been a welder since i left school in 1988 but i dont Reason being.........i have never had to buy 1 lol.

[jamsironwork]

it is possible to use an oxy gauge but they put out higher pressures than you need so a proper argon one is best. single stage gauges are cheaper and more than good enough for home use.

[fatfires]

it also depends whose gasses you use, if you go with Air Products (feromax) the reg is built into the cylinder and you can have different flow restrictors, if you use British oxygen then you will need a reg. you can also use CO2 neat, a good welding supplier can help you out and probably give you good prices on wire, tips and shrouds, check rental prices carefully to see what suits you sir!
Or if you have a friend with a pub or bar and decide to run CO2 and he has a spare cylinder......................

[da SLUG man]

just nick them from the side of the pub!...

(not the ones that are connected though!!)

[Taliesins]

Just got myself a mig welder, and was advised not to bother with the small disposable gas bottles - but get a proper bottle and regulator.
...

WHY??

[BUSHWHACKER]

WHY??

'cos they're a waste of money, don't last more than 5 mins.
OK for emergency or as a 'back up' only enough gas to make one panhard drop bracket!!


Anyway, I've got one of these regulators, £25.
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/rangegu...8&g=105&r=2038

[Taliesins]

'cos they're a waste of money, don't last more than 5 mins.
OK for emergency or as a 'back up' only enough gas to make one panhard drop bracket!!


Anyway, I've got one of these regulators, £25.
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/rangegu...8&g=105&r=2038

How much are the large bottles? and how do you go about getting them??

[BUSHWHACKER]

How much are the large bottles? and how do you go about getting them??

The easiest way is to get to know the pub gas delivery driver, or your local pub landlord.
I paid the driver £15 for a bottle of CO2 a couple of years ago.

The other alternative is to open an account at a bottled gas merchants, but they charge about £100 per year rental
+ gas.

[Taliesins]

The easiest way is to get to know the pub gas delivery driver, or your local pub landlord.
I paid the driver £15 for a bottle of CO2 a couple of years ago.

The other alternative is to open an account at a bottled gas merchants, but they charge about £100 per year rental
+ gas.

Excuse my stupid questions Vince but does the regulator you have fit straight on the little poly pipe that feeds the gas to the torch on the clark welders(machinemart) or do you have to adapt it somehow?

[BUSHWHACKER]

Excuse my stupid questions Vince but does the regulator you have fit straight on the little poly pipe that feeds the gas to the torch on the clark welders(machinemart) or do you have to adapt it somehow?

You have to adapt it. I left the fitting on the end of the plastic tube then inserted it into a rubber hose and secured with a jubilee clip.