That kit will do everything I did, and it's "plug and play". The separate torch flowmeter is a nice touch, too. I like that the ad emphasizes that mixing ratios are only approximate with this method, and that more precise systems are available.
I use argon helium mix all the time and just run Y with valves, I'm sure the killer mixers are nice but, I've never had a problem with ratio. To explain I mean I never see waving colors in arc so I assume its mixing at some constant rate, and if I need more I just add or take out. And Ive emptied multiple bottles and never had gas/bottle contamination. Ive just guessed that between high bottle pressure, and a flowmeter, its all going one way at just 25 cfh range. Id imagine even when a bottle runs out its more pressure till 1 second before it dies, then your outta gas anyway!
I suspect a gas lens also helps mix the 2 gases. I have been doing this exactly as was explained. I just barely get the helium regulator ball to lift and judging from the results it seems to be a good cheap solution.
Make sure you make the main valve tight on the helium when not using it. I asked my son to shut off the tanks the other day and.......I guess I need to have the boy lift some weights. I ended up losing most of the tank over a few days of non-use. I had soaped all the connections and found only one small leak which I fixed. When I went to get the tank re-filled the weld gas supply guy said that this is a common complaint with helium tanks.
1969 Idealarc 250
Miller 200 MIG
Everlast 200DV
Micro welder
Helium will permeate the rubber of the hoses as well, so no matter how leak proof your setup is, helium will escape unless the tank is shut off. Took a couple tanks to find that out.
-Jon
I learned how to weld at night, but not last night. (despite how my weld looks)
Lincoln Viking 3350 K3034-2&3
Dynasty 210DX w/cps and coolmate3
Lincoln Power Mig 180c
hermit.shed on instagram
can the (helium/argon mix set up) be made with the two cylinders and mixer(Or Wye fitting) only, and /or can it be done by just getting both gases mixed in the same cylinder from LWS? and which would be a good combination of percentages to be used with a miller dynasty and which method do you think will work the best?
You can do it either way. Premixed tanks have a benefit of being east to use, save space, only one tank instead of two. The mixing valve method can take a little bit to dial in but gives you flexibility to change the mix ratio. They make mixing valve stations that make getting precise mix ratios easy. But the y or tee fitting will work. Best results would be to make sure both regulators are set for the same pressure and that they both have ball type flow indicators. You can also install check valves in each line before the tee to minimize possible back pressure issues.
