Gas regulator question

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I have aquired a used Lincoln Precision 185 and have having some issues with the gas regulator. I assume it is the one that came with the welder as part of the original package. The flow guage seems to jump around some. When first turning it on the needle will jump to 20-25 and then when turning on the welder and the preflow starts it will go to the correct setting  (15) then jump back up after the preflow. Hope that makes sense I suspect that may be part of my having problems with maintaining a steady arc. Anyway is there a better regulator out there? I am using Argon
Reply:Usually there be some drop from what you have the reg set at and at what it flows when being used. You should set the flow as if the macnhine is being used but a 5-10 psi jump seems a little much. This shouldn't have an effect on your arc. If your new to tig maybe its your arc length which you may not realize that its inconsistant. A good flow meter will probably run you $90 or more from the lws.
Reply:"A good flow meter will probably run you $90 or more from the lws."Or, you could just have your LWS re-build your regulator. I've had a few older regs and flow meters done and it has run anywhere from $20.00 to $45.00 depending on the parts and labor needed. Most of the Lincoln branded regs that I've run across have been of decent quality. Seems a shame to just throw something away that still has life left in it. (IMO)Eric
Reply:Jumping around as you put it is no big deal..Hold the pedal down and watch where the regulator ball/needle settles while the pedal is depressed..Hold pedal down and adjust acordingly to the flow you want.You are all set so weld away......zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:My O/A regulators are over 40 years old and still work fine today. But something you said was when I turn on the bottle it jumps to 20-25. Well that got may attention, your gauge should never jump because it should not have pressure on it till you adjust it to the pressure you need. It may sound like a lot of extra work but you should always turn you regulators back to take the pressure off the seat spring in the regulator, when you turn your bottle on turn it on slowly there is a lot of pressure on that spring 2000psi on a new bottle. Have you ever seen a regulator blow apart on opening the bottle I have someone turned the adjuster all the way in and when the person opened the bottle valve to fast it blow the adjuster knob and cover about 100 feet thank goodness no one was injured. If you want to keep your regulators working right always take the pressure off the spring before shutting off the bottle.www.georgesplasmacuttershop.comPlasma Cutter and Welder Sales and Repairs--Ebay storeTec.Mo. Dealer Consumables for the PT and IPT torch's
Reply:Thanks for the help think I have things sorted out now