Welding shielding gas saver device

The present invention provides a means of saving a significant amount of shielding gas, primarily in the metal inert gas (MIG) welding process. The invention significantly reduces a major reason for shielding gas waste, which is excess shielding gas storage in the hose connecting the shielding gas source to the welding machine. Other methods employed over the years to achieve the objective of reducing shielding gas waste have been complex, subject to leaks or were not sufficiently robust for the environment in which they are used therefore are not widely employed. The present invention consists of a hose connecting the shielding gas supply to the welding machine, which has a small internal volume. The outside diameter of the shielding gas delivery hose is sufficiently large and robust to provide satisfactory service in a welding fabricating environment. The volume of gas stored in the gas delivery hose when the welding system is in the stand-by or non-welding mode is 25 to 30% of that contained in shielding gas delivery hoses commonly employed.