Regulator Settings

[Mike_H]

I bought a used Snap-On Pro Mig 160 at the weekend. It's mature in years but seems to be serviceable. The torch is a bit tired so I'll be replacing that.

I notice that the gas seems to be really belting through the regulator. It hisses out at much higher pressure than previous machines I've used (Clarke and Sealey Hobby migs on disposable bottles)

It came with a 5ft high bottle with 125 bar of Argon/CO2 mix in it. The regulator seems to be fixed (doesn't want to adjust) and I think the output pressure is too high. any guidance on what it should be set to? It's an oxygen regulator too. Any issues with that?

It's an Energas bottle. Will they refill it if I take it back to them, or just confiscate it?


EDIT: Just noticed that they only seem to have outlets up north. I wonder if I can get someone else to refill the bottle.

 

[pedrobedro]

The top with 300 bar service written on is the adjuster and will turn anti clockwise. It looks like someone has screwed it down as tight as it will go probably mistook it for the cylinder off tap. Energas will only refill your cylinder if you have an account with them, if you take out one same on account you can have a spare cylinder A place near here swaps empty for full as they use loads. I use an oxygen regulator on my argon cylinder with no problems, it doesn't know what kind of gas it is regulating

 

[Austin]

that looks like an old type energas bottle,they changed the valve from female to male fitting for the regulator,i still have a full size wich is now obsolete as i got this from work before they closed i am now stuck with it

 

[Mike_H]

Wrong end of the country for me anyway. I'll see if I can persuade someone else to fill it, or just use up the gas and weigh it in.

The seller told me the regulator was 'set' and couldn't adjust. Might take it off and see if I can persuade it to move.

 

[Mike_H]

Any views on a good pressure setting for welding thin car bodywork?

Starter setting?

 

[shenion]

You need a regulator made for MIG/TIG with an output calibrated in a flow rate (SCFM/LPM) rather than PSI.

You could add a flowmeter to get control of the output or measure with a peashooter.

 

[Mike_H]

Yep... planning to add a flowmeter, as per the one from weldequip. Need to give them a bell in the morning, if I haven't heard back on my email enquiry - I expect they're busy.

I was wondering if I could get a stop-gap setting in the meantime... save me throwing gas away... If I can get the regulator moving then a bit of trial and error could sort it.

 

[Mike_H]

Got this freed off last night... I didn't want to force it previously. I've turned the gas down to 1/3 of what it was and it still seems to weld fine. Will get a flow meter to set it up properly.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[chunkolini]

Try turning it down slowly in steps until it starts welding badly, and then turn it it up slightly and keep a note of the figure.
I usually set mine at about 7 CFM and have no problems. The tyical advice is 9-10 cfm
(CFM cubic feet per minute).

 

[Country Joe]

Or even LPM, (Litres Per Minute)
Sorry Chunko!
CJ