smith gage, fix or replace?

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my millermatic 212 came with a smith gage/regulator for the bottle, it seems to have taken a dump. the low side gage needle has pegged out going to the high side. i don't think it's under psi, it's not quite hitting the peg it just wound that direction and i've closed the bottle and the high side needle is at zero. i was made aware of the prob when i tried welding and was getting no gas through the gun. should i have this gage repaired or should i have it replaced? i am not familiar with smith, weekend metal vaporizer is my expertise. thank you for any direction. cheers, jason
Reply:Smith is top rate...get it fixed.
Reply:the replacement gauge assemblies are usually only about $10 at the LWS.  doesn't have to be a smith brand.  I had to replace one or two in the past and just used the radnor ones that Airgas had in stockTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:thanks guys. i called phoenix welding supply, they quoted me $82 for a new regulator. gonna take this one in and have it rebuilt. like i said i think it's only a low side issue, when i described the issue to him he said he would 'guess...$50-ish.' told him that was close enough to an idea so i'll bring it in. really had no idea of smith quality so didn't want to spend money on something that was marginal. thank for the input.j-
Reply:Am I missing something here.  A regulator for mig generally has a high pressure guage and a flowmeter doesn't it.  I guess you could get by with a dual guage type pressure adjustable if you are good at judging flow with the blow on the cheek technique.  Is there a flow meter inbetween the regulator and the wire feeder?Fran
Reply:fran..., yeah. am i calling the assembly the wrong thing? here's a pic. thx, j-
Reply:I have one like that I use to pressurize dirt bike expanton chambers to blow out the dents.  To pump beer use that kind,   The one for mig is like the picture attached.  Or I would expect the flow part with the little ball in the transparnt chamber would be in line and seperate if the kind you posted was used.  Usually the flowmeter regulator is pre set to about 50 psi and further adjustment is to flow not pressure. Attached Images
Reply:Flowmeters are a better option for TIG, not as crucial for mig.   Most mig setups usually run a 2 dial regulator.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Check with a Miller dealer and see if your machine is still under warranty......regulator should be tooBe sure to have the serial number handy.
Reply:ah i've had the machine for over 4 yrs but i'll give it a shot. thxupdate on gage:so, i found there was a prob when i was trying to weld and wasn't getting any gas through the gun. when i took the gage off tonight the gage on the gun side went back to zero. so...i didn't have time to put the gage back on and setup the welder to try it out, hopefully tomorrow, but i'm going to look more closely at the line/gun, wondering if the prob it there. it looks like gas was being allowed into the gage hence the maxed out needle, but not out the gun. i'll start here. thx