How to tell how much MIG gas is left in the bottle, measuring the CO2 Argon!-Rick's Shop

Running out of MIG gas in the middle of a project is no fun. Here's a quick way to gauge how much gas is remaining.

[@jeffreyullrich8511]

Actually, because the CO2 in blended with the Argon, that's not a very accurate measure of remaining gas. Better off to hook up flowmeter/flowregulator and check remaining cylinder pressure. 500 psi @ 70 degrees is about 1/4 full, 1000 psi is about half full, etc.

[@timothym2241]

I made a label for mine, that I wrote both full and empty weights on it. Because it contains c02, the pressure isn’t the best measure of content left as the c02 liquifies.

[@robertoviana514]

Agreed, don't you have a pressure regulator? I mean how are you regulating the gas flow?

[@yt66228]

Why not use a pressure regulator?

[@ricksshop]

I know there are welders out there with enough experience to periodically check the gauge and determine how much weld time they have left. I'm not that guy. I'm the guy who starts a big project, runs out in the middle and wonders why my welds look like flux core welds..😁

[@johnmacmillan627]

I read somewhere that 1 cf of argon weighs about 0.1 lbs

[@billiebowling7755]

That's roughly 6lbs gas is that a lot? How much does it weigh full

[@ingeniousmechanic]

Roughly how long does that size tank last in welding hours?

[@ricksshop]

I can't give it to you in hours, but I filled it two years ago, and I've went through a big spool of wire and two small spools and it's still going.

[@ingeniousmechanic]

@@ricksshop awesome, thanks

[@jvazquez53]

If you have a regulator right there, why not use it?

[@garypostell5268]

And if the tare weight not listed then what?

[@ricksshop]

Weigh the bottle empty, then full to know the range of possibility.