What is an Argon regulator flow meter?

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We are going to fully explain an argon regulator flow meter here.

But first, lets get clear on a few separate questions?

like what is argon used for? ... What is a regulator?...and what is a flow meter?

What is argon used for in welding?

Pure argon is used for TIG Welding as well as Aluminum MIG welding.

Argon is known as a "shielding gas" because it shields the molten puddle from other harmful gases in the air like oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen.

There are also several other shielding gases that use a mix of argon along with other gases like Co2 and many others.

What is a regulator? and what is a flow meter?

Argon comes in high pressure cylinders. Usually over 2000psi.

2000psi is not a very safe or stable working pressure so...

A regulator is used to "regulate" that high pressure down to a safer lower constant pressure of around 1-200 psi depending on the design.

The regulator also maintains a constant pressure as the main cylinder pressure gets lower with use.

A flow meter then controls that lower pressure gas into a flow rate measured in CFH (cubic feet per hour) or LPM (litres per minute).

In the USA, flowmeters typically show flow rate in cfh but flowmeters in other parts of the world on the metric system often show flow rates in lpm.

With so many imported welders being sold, it pays to look closely to see whether your flow meter has cfh or lpm increments.

Sometimes, you might come across a flow meter where you need to convert lpm to cfh or vise versa.

The conversion is simple.

CFH = LPM x 2  ( not precisely but its close enough)

So if you are accustomed to reading your flow rates in CFH and you come across a flowmeter that reads out in LPM increments, you need roughly half the flow rate. ie. if you need 20 CFH, you only need 10 LPM

An Argon Regulator Flow meter combines a regulator with a flow meter.

What is a dual flow meter and why use a dual flowmeter?

A dual flow meter provides an additional flow meter so that you can purge the penetration side of stainless, nickel, titanium, and other metals that can get compromised by the atmosphere when molten or even red hot.

One flow meter is used for the TIG torch...

the other can be used for an auxillary purge line.

Weldmonger dual flow meters come with 2 barbed fittings to allow easy use connections of either a standard inert gas hose fitting, or a bare purge hose that can be had from any big box or hardware store.

Another use for a dual flow meter

I was teaching a TIG class a few years ago at a remote location.

We had plenty of tig welding machines...one for every student, but we started running out of argon and it was on a Sunday.

But no worries...because we were able to use dual flow meters to run 2 machines off a single argon tank.

It got us thru the class until Monday morning when the local welding supply opened.

A dual flow meter gives you options.

Options are a good thing.