Abstract: This device significantly reduces a major reason for shielding gas waste in MIG welding. When welding is stopped, excess gas is stored in the hose transporting shielding gas to the solenoid located in a welding system. At subsequent weld starts, this stored gas creates a high surge flow wasting gas. Prior methods employed to reduce gas waste at the weld start have been complex, subject to leaks, were not sufficiently robust for the environment, did not provide shielding gas savings for welds longer than 3 to 4 seconds, were useful for limited delivery hose lengths or reduced the self compensating flow features inherent in higher delivery pressure systems. The device includes a compact variable flow-control that is inserted in a shielding gas delivery hose at a predetermined distance from the solenoid end to reduce gas waste and provide a controlled amount of extra gas at the weld start.