Welding Tips and Tricks

When adjusting the flowmeter do you make a "dry" run of the machine (tungsten not welding) to set the flow???

Most say 15-20 on the meter.....anyone use anything different under normal welding conditions?

I adjust mine when the gas is flowing. It may waste a little gas but I am sure I am getting coverage and it purges the lines prior to actually welding. I used to set it and forget it but found that the setting was too low because once the trigger was pulled the line pressure went down. Give it a try and you can see that for yourself, Just my .02.
Bob

Is this a ball type flow meter? They only read when gas is flowing.
I would set the torch for the way you weld without striking an arc. Most of these are read at the bottom of the ball.

Ultralow787 wrote:Is this a ball type flow meter? They only read when gas is flowing.
I would set the torch for the way you weld without striking an arc. Most of these are read at the bottom of the ball.

At present I am using a gauge flowmeter .......I do have a ball type too!

The ball type flow meter is a little more accurate, if in doubt go by a flow gauge that fits over the cup at the torch. This will give you the actual flow at the torch, and it's great for diagnosing faults as well.

Cheers