The A-Z Guide to Welding Regulator [Argon, CO2, Mig & More]

If you don’t know what a welding regulator is, just like every amateur welder. You’re at the right place for the best answer.

A welding regulator is handy when you’re welding, to help you maintain a positive flow of gas and prevent wastage.

It is similar to the regulator of the propane gas tank in your house.

Unlike the one on your propane gas tank that has a preset flow to the burner, the current can be adjusted depending on what one of the metals you’re welding.

You can have one or more regulators connected to a welding gas tank.

One significant importance of a regulator on your welding gas tank is its ability to read the flow rate from the gas tank to the hose.

A direct connection of the hose to the gas tank may be hazardous and will blow out the welding arc, causing all the gas to come out within seconds.

As the name implies, the gas regulator ensures that the gas is maintaining a certain amount of flow that can be adjusted if need be.

In other words, it helps prevent the wastage of gas and saves you the cost of gas bills now and then.

Adjusting the flow of gas can be done by twisting the knob either in a clockwise or an anti-clockwise direction.

In another situation, some experienced MIG welders prefer regulators with two gauges.

The one closest to the gas usually determines the volume of the remaining gas as it shows the gas volume pressure.

The second gauge is closer to the hose, and it shows the flow rate of the gas into the hose.

The former indicator works by indicating pressure drops in the gas tank.

A typical welding regulator measures the flow of gas into the hose in cubic feet per hour (cfph), or liters per minute (lpm).

It is also important to note the flow rate of the gas is highly dependent on welding amperage and the thickness of the wire.

The width of the metal you’re welding will also determine the amount of gas you’ll need.

If you’re a TIG welder, there’s a type of welding regulator with a floating ball attached to the gauge, the movement of the ball up and down shows the flow rate of your gas.

They have proven to be more accurate than everyday regulators.

Best Welding Regulators

If you’re confused, here is a list of the top-rated regulators you’d like to choose and include in your welding kit.

They have been selected under close watch and will last you.

If you’re from Europe, you can find similar regulators on Amazon UK.

Argon CO2 Regulator-Welding Gas Flowmeter

 
This welding regulator is one of the best you’ll get with just a few bucks. It is one of the best-selling and can be used for both MIG and TIG welding machines.

Just beside the gas regulator is a flowmeter that can be useful for light-duty welding.

It is well compatible with Helium gas tanks having the CGA-580 inlets.

The Terrabloom branded product is almost accurate for adjusting the flow of gas, precisely between 10-60 CFH.

The attached flowmeter is one underrated gauge that reads the pressure of the remaining gas left in the tank.

You can quickly tell from the flowmeter when it’s high time you changed the tank. It also works together with the gas regulator gauge.

Whenever you’re connecting the gas regulator, always remember to shut the gas tank by rotating the valve in a clockwise direction to avoid instant damage and wastage of gas.

While one end of the regulator is connected to the gas tank, the other end leads into the welding hose, and the knob on the gas regulator controls the flow of gas.

TIP: If you need to attach a coupler to the outlet fitting and keep it airtight you will need to use washers on each connection.

BETOOLL HW9003 Argon/CO2 MIG TIG flow Meter Gas Regulator

 
BETOOLL welding regulator is another top choice that is common amongst welders.

It is made from copper, reliable and precise to last a few more years. It also comes with a pressure gauge, which graduated from 0 to 4000 psi reading.

Some other welders only love the readings on the flowmeter, and upcoming welders shouldn’t make this mistake.

Without the precise flow rate of the gas entering the welding hose, the flowmeter cannot take its reading.

One of the reasons why you need a welding regulator is to minimize wastage and maximize the utilization of every country that of gas.

This gas regulator is very suitable to fit every in helium, argon/CO2, and nitrogen gas tanks.

BETOOLL gas regulator is designed to fit both the male and female nut, and it is nothing less than quality.

TIP: It is not recommended to use this regulator for medical equipment- oxygen tanks.

MANATEE Argon Regulator TIG MIG Welding CO2 Flowmeter

 
This product does not require much experience to handle, one of the reasons why it made a list.

It is also compatible with the many gases used by seasoned welders; argon, argon/co2, helium, and the likes.

This regulator can withstand heavy-duty welding with its attached high-pressure gauge.

The amount of gas left can be easily read on the gauge as well as the flow rate of gas into the welding hose. The adjustment can be made to this regulator without stress.

The reason for this easy adjustment is that different metals have different flowrate.

It can fit in every CGA-580 inlet tank, that’s why it is compatible with most gas tanks. Its Pressure gauge reads from 0-4000 psi.

The readings are also precise, and the regulator is made of brass. There’s nothing less than quality in what you’re purchasing.

TIP: It Works great with MIG welders.

YaeTek Argon CO2 MIG TIG Flowmeter Welding Regulator Gauge

 
YaeTek welding regulator is arguably the cheapest you can get with a bunch of quality and a handful of features. It is also a CGA-580 inlet regulator.

With the exemption of CO2 cylinders, it can fit into every gas tank that is common amongst welders.

The flowmeter is suitable for both male nut and female fitting, accepting significant brands of gas hose.

You can rely on the flowmeter because it is precise when compared to flow gauge regulators. Every penny you spend on a welding regulator like this is worth it.

In the long run, you’re saving yourself the cost of purchasing wasted gas.

There’s no other way to describe this gauge as being efficient.

The pressure gauge has a graduation from 0-3500 psi, and the flowmeter can be adjusted between the range of 10-60 CFH, there’s a moveable ball that indicates the adjustment range.

TIP: It fits both male 9/16″ – 18 and female 9/16″ – 18 nut.

HZXVOGEN Flowmeter Argon Co2 Gas Welding Regulator

 
The last on this list, but shouldn’t be considered as the least preferable.

It is a top choice for most TIG welders as it is accurate for proportional measurements of flow rate, pressure gauge, and flowmeter of gas.

It is the only welding regulator on the list that can fit in CO2, Argon/CO2, and Argon gas tanks.

It is designed for different specs of gas tanks. It can also fit into popular brands’ gas holes. It is almost a universal welding regulator.

Made of pure brass, it takes a longer time before it is worn out, there’s also a bit of warranty from the manufacturers.

The flow of gas from this regulator can be adjusted from 0-25 lpm, and the adjustment is as easy as anything.

It takes no additional instructions to install. It also has a GA-580 inlet.

TIP: This regulator can’t be used for nitrogen brazing, only for MIG and TIG welding.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a welding gas regulator work?

Three components exist behind a welding regulator: the first one is the mechanism of loading, sensing, and control.

All three components work hand in hand to affirm a decrease in pressure.

Starting from the mechanism of loading, It sets the delivery pressure of the regulator. When you turn the adjustment knob on the regulator, a spring-like material in the regulator responds to the knob with compression.

This force of compression is relayed to the sensing and control elements to achieve the response in pressure change.

On sensing the compression of the spring, the diaphragm in most cases in charge of sensing the force.

It is either made of elastomers or metal. It then transfers the change onto the control element.

A valve is always the control element, and it completes the reduction process from the inlet pressure to cause a decrease in outlet pressure.

When the knob is turned, the sensing element(diaphragm) is displaced from its position to cause a change in the valve’s position from the initial set point of pressure.

The adjustment of pressure is needed to avoid overflow at a time.

How to read a gas regulator?

Reading the gas regulator does not require much instruction. A single pressure gauge regulator, tells you how full your tank is, and its readings are carried out in psi.

The flow meter, close to the hose shows you how much pressure you’re applying.

It takes measurements from the amount of gas flowing into the welding hose. Remember to shut the gas regulator properly before attaching to a tank.

How to adjust a welding regulator?

Adjusting the gas regulator before welding is essential in many ways. Firstly, to ensure the right proportion of gas is utilized and to avoid wastage.

While I’ll teach you to adjust a gas regulator, you should prevent shortening the flow rate as it causes your welds to be porous, and too much spatter.

On the excess too much gas will affect your welding, that is the most crucial reason why you need some adjustment lessons after inserting the welding regulator. Here we go!!!

• Ensure that the gas is fully opened by checking the valve on the gas tank. After this, on the welder and enable the switch for gas to flow.
• The flowmeter(a vertical transparent tube on the left-hand side) ball will start moving upward to depict the increase in the flow rate of the gas. As the ball moves upwards, start reading the rate of gas flow from the circumference(midpoint of the ball).
• The adjustment knob of the regulator can be found under the flowmeter. Adjust the knob to your desired mark on the tube, but typically, 20 SCFH is the most common mark for basic welding.
• After successfully adjusting the regulator to your preferred point, lock the valve on the gas tank, otherwise called the cylinder.

Ensure that you carry out the adjustment process without haste so that you can detect any leak or loop in-between the connections.

How to use a regulator?

Here are a few steps to go through before you can understand the best use of a welding regulator.

• In an anti-clockwise direction, rotate the adjusting knob. Also, close the valve that leads to the gas hose in a clockwise direction.
• Without much pressure, fix the regulator to the gas cylinder, and ensure that they are both keyed to avoid leakage. The regulator is not meant for the cylinder if they are not keyed together.
• With ease, open the valve on the gas cylinder to allow a flow of gas, and check the pressure gauge to confirm that the inlet pressure is not low. If there’s low cylinder pressure, it indicates a leakage probably from the valve.
• Inspect all the possible connections for any leakage problem. You can easily detect leaks by applying a soap solution at each joint or with a leak detection machine.
• Completely open the cylinder valve after checking for leaks. Release the adjustment knob gradually to increase the flow rate to your desired value. Take note of the maximum delivery pressure value; it is written on every product.
• Unlock the outlet knob on the regulator to allow a flow of gas into the system. The valve leading to the hose should always be used in controlling the flow of gas.

After arriving at the desired flow rate, the delivery pressure may increase slightly due to air. Adjust the pressure when necessary and always remember to check for leaks whenever you’re adjusting the flow rate.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the desired delivery pressure is arrived at when you work with the knob leading to the gas hose. Ensure that every gas outlet is locked after use to avoid wastage.

Every welding regulator on the list is sure to avoid companions with your gas tank. Secure and sturdy to prevent rust for a few years before replacement.