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Thread: gas regulators

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    canberra
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    Default gas regulators

    as a continuation of my post in the metalwork forum, where I picked up a OA set at the tip, and was wondering about getting the regulators rebuilt, I'll start a new thread in the welding forum!

    After talking to the guy at Cigweld, he told me that gas pressures have changed, and are higher now, and can blow out older regualtors not designed for the extra pressure.
    That major fact, and the fact that I'm planning on using LPG, not Acetylene, means its a better (and really the only) plan than trying to get the regulators.

    Now, my next question is, does anyone have any experience with "no name" regulators, and complete oxy sets? places like bobthewelder and the dreaded ebay offer complete kits from about $200, and regulators from about $60 - $80. do these need to meet some kind of standard? at that price, its almost better to buy a complete set, than build it piece by piece
    I don't want regulators to blow up in my face because they are poorly made.

    peoples thoughts?

    cheers,
    matt

  2. #2
    welding is offline Engineers are qualified to make claims
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
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    Victoria
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    Default

    Hi Matt,

    The regs sold on ebay are manufactured in China as are the regs sold in welding stores. The only thing us dumb Aussies are good at these days is outsourcing our jobs to China .

    John

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Sydney
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    59

    Default

    The only regulator I will use is a Harris
    They are made in America or Europe for the extra few dollars you get a quality reg that will out last the cheep ones by years

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2020
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    Indonesia
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by welding View Post
    Hi Matt,

    The regs sold on ebay are manufactured in China as are the regs sold in welding stores. The only thing us dumb Aussies are good at these days is outsourcing our jobs to China .

    John
    Outsourcing jobs are attractive right now, right? You can outsource the work to the right and experienced person.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    melbourne australia
    Posts
    3,228

    Default

    I bought my regs from this place. They seem very nicely made.

    https://www.nationalwelding.com.au/l...-unimig-lpgreg
    Chris

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    586

    Default

    The standard is AS 4839 - the safe use of portable and mobile oxy-fuel gas systems for welding, cutting heating and allied processes.

    Generally, it is not worth getting a reg rebuilt. The standard mentions a 5 year 'lifespan' on a regulator that is the limit 'according to the standard'. YMMV of course if you are not likely to get a door knock from workcover or the grumpy WHS rep/foreman any time soon. That being said, most reputable regulators have a warranty period covering this 'useful life' per the standard.

    Good regulators will regulate pressure and gas flow rate well. Cheap ones not so much.
    Regulators can fail by blowing out the bourdon tube in the gauge assembly, leaking high pressure through the diaphragm / bonnet. Both bad outcomes. High pressure Oxy in particular can ignite greases and oils in the absence of a spark... so a leak through the bonnet of the reg and greasy hands can become a very bad day (saw the pics of the mechanic that just wanted to cut out a bushing on a greasy bit of equipment, it was not pleasant). Likewise you don't want a flammable gas leak.

    Most oxygen cylinders these days are 250Bar. Acetylene pressure regs are limited to 150kPa (1.5Bar) as regulating to a higher pressure can lead to explosive decomposition (big bada-boom).

    Also... use the right regulator for the correct gas - don't be a muppet and go changing inlet stems etc on old gear to 'make it work'.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Geelong, Australia
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    57
    Posts
    2,651

    Default

    I bought a new mag-mate or similar cheap oxy regulator the other day from BOC after I stupidly knocked a bottle over and smashed the gauge.
    Cost about $50 and seems to work OK for the Oxy-LPG setup that I use for heating.
    I also had to replace the hoses as it smashed the crimped end fitting. 10m fitted hose set was about $60.

    Thankfully the bottle wasn’t in use at the time. I should know better - was just being lazy, and that’s how accidents happen.
    If you’ve got bottles and don’t have a proper trolley etc at least tie them to the bench.

    Off my self confessing soapbox now

    FWIW I picked up the entire brand new Tradeflame oxy-LPG welding/cutting kit at the start of the year for $130 from gumtree or eBay.

    Steve.

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