regulator advice.

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Looking for advice on regulators.   My used welder came with some extra goodies, but I've run into a couple hiccups along the way.The regulator it came with is a Victor Medalist HSR 1470.  It had a CGA 680 nipple and nut on it.    I was able to get the fitting off,  and a friend gave me a 580 nipple and nut, some used tubing and new clamps.  I got the inert gas fitting that goes into the welder for $5.  So far, so goodUnfortunately, the regulator and 680 nipple are a different thread than the standard 1/4"NPT thread.  The thread on the regulator body is a 5/8"-20 UNF thread.   Victor has an adapter for it,  which is basically a threaded bushing to go from the one thread size down to the other.  Unfortunately when I called my LWS (Air Liquide), they said that it was about $25 in 2006 which was the last time they ordered it.  That's got to be about a 10,000x markup.  No fastener place has the same bushing available.I would like to try gas MIG welding,  but not sure if I want to put more money into this regulator that I don't even know works....    In Canada, a cheap Princess Auto (similiar to your Harbor Frt) regulator is $80 plus 13% taxes. ($90 out the door).
Reply:Thats a pretty serious reg since the CGA 680 fitting is for use on 5500 psi cylinders. You absolutely don't want to use any hardware store fittings or parts because that nipple is on the high pressure side of the reg.You might see if the LWS can just order the CGA 580 nipple with the correct threading instead of the adapter. You might find it less expensive that way. As far as checking the reg out, you might see if the LWS has a CGA 680 cyl you can just hook it up to to see if it functions. My guy had no problem with me doing that when it looked like one of my regs may have had an issue. You really aren't using any gas other than a tiny amount just to see if the reg will flow gas. I'd spend the $25 no problem for a reg like that myself to get the adapter..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Was not familar with a Model # HRS1470.  So I call Victor.  It is a cga 680 flowmeter for nitrogen.  They still make it, but it is not in thier material.I do not think it would work well for mig welding.  The regulator is designed to work with 5500psi cylinders.  Because the scale is metered for nitrogen, it will not be accurate with argon or argon/co2 mix.Hope thsi helps.JimOAdoctorwww.regulatortorchrepair.com
Reply:By accurate, you mean the CFH flow with the ball will be off?  Any ideas by how much?I don't know much about regulators.  Looking at some pictures online,  it looks like a lot of regulators have 2 adjustments.  As far as I can tell,  this regulator only has adjustments for flow.Do you think it would work better than getting a cheap ebay regulator?  Why are some regulators chromed?Thanks for any replies,Peter
Reply:Yes, the cfh will be off. If you are reading 50cfh you will only be getting 42 cfh.  It is about 16% less flow for argon and 18 % for 75/25 - argon/co2.Regulators are almost always chrome plated for cosmetic reason.  Most chrome regulators are sold to labs and other high-end user.Stainless regulators are always for specialty gas mixes and corrosive gases.Last edited by OAdoctor; 06-16-2010 at 05:07 PM.OAdoctorwww.regulatortorchrepair.com