Welding Tips and Tricks

What I'd like to know is to properly read a "floating ball" type flow meter, are we supposed to read the flow rate indicated at the top of the ball, the middle of the ball, or the bottom of the ball?

Also, I'm curious to know if anyone has done any tests to determine the accuracy of their regulator, and if you did, how did you do it, how far was it off from what it said, and what type.

Also, FWIW, I've had pretty bad experience with chinese made floating ball type flow meters. I've got two of them and they both leaked, has issues fitting up with standard (CGA-580) argon tanks, and read in funny units. How to properly read the ball on those were the least of my worries. I'm infinitely more pleased with my HTP flow meter.

Your looking at the bottom of the ball. I've always replaced them with dial types as the Chinese ones are not very accurate. I'd rather spend $100 on a good regulator and have to refill my gas at the correct time. I once used an entire medium tank MIGing stainless - used it all in about 4 hours! That regulator hit the trash.

Some regulators or flow meters are different. It should say top of ball or bottom of ball on the tube. Maybe. I have seen it both ways and I have seen them with no labeling.

I noticed one today that read center of ball.