Welding Tips and Tricks

Credit goes to metalmagpie for finding the gas conversion correction factors.

I have incorporated his/the info into a Google Spreadsheet that anyone can use on their mobile cell phone if they have/download the Google Slides app. Once you have the app, you have to save a copy of this spreadsheet for yourself so you can edit the cells.

It takes all the inputs from Steps 1-3 and finds the appropriate CF's and then does the math for you. Of course some Answers might be nonsensical due to the difficulty of trying to dial in super-low flowrates, but hey, I never said it would make it realistic in all situations! :laugh:

Here are screen shots:

►Flowrate & Gas Mix Calculator◄








The 2nd tab is one that might be useful for those that don't have super expensive gas mixers and use Y's to tie together two tanks (it is for me, anyways). Enter your Desired flowrate for the specified gas mix, and it will spit out the actual individual flowrates:

Gas Mix Calculator tab








If anyone needs anything added to the Gas Mix tab for other weird gases, I can add them. Just ask.

Looks like it might be useful. Will give it a try once I get back to my shop, after the holidays.
When mixing Helium, I will still need a flow meter calibrated for Helium, right?

VA-Sawyer wrote:Looks like it might be useful. Will give it a try once I get back to my shop, after the holidays.
When mixing Helium, I will still need a flow meter calibrated for Helium, right?

I would highly suggest simply adding a Dakota Instruments Helium Flowmeter inline, in the range that you plan to use Helium. I ordered one for metering small quantities to mix in with argon.



Using a "typical" flowmeter it is very difficult to dial in anything less than 20 CFH. Mine gets here tomorrow so I will have a full review soon. The smallest one they make meters from 0-4 CFH and their largest one goes from 0 to 250 CFH.

Which 'size' did you get, and who did you order it from?

VA-Sawyer wrote:Which 'size' did you get, and who did you order it from?

Those in the picture that I posted are the actual ones I ordered from www.dakotainstruments.com. Let's see if they are everything I hope they will be.

During a previous job position, I used a gauge very similar to those for liquid flow rate and control. Only problem was mounting the gauge to the pump, but did manage to get around that problem. Didn't have any leakage problems and many times were pushing 20psi thru 1/4 flex tubing.

Great. I am happy to let you do the testing on these. If you like them, I expect to get a couple for myself.

Of course, I could let you send them with the 221 DV.

Here is the thread for my evaluation of these:

Dakota Instruments Precision Flowmeters: Ar, He, CO₂, O₂.