my 1st dumb ? of the day

The main power lead in a water cooled TIG torch is water cooled, without the water it will overheat even at relatively low currents and at the very least melt through the hose and destroy the torch cable assembly. The power lead is perhaps 10ga equivalent fine strand wire and if you put 125A through a 10ga wire I think you know what will happen.

You don't have to use a self contained recirculating water cooler, you can use an open loop setup running tap water through the torch and out to a drain. This method will eventually clog up the torch with deposits from the water in most cases, but it an let you use the machine for a while until you can find/afford a self contained cooler.

You are aware that you don't need the water pump and cooler for your TIG water cooled torch, aren't you?

I worked at more then one place that had the torches connected to the building's water supply, through a pressure reducing orifice and the hot water simply dumped in the gutter.

Probably not the most economical method in the world but cheap enough for occasional use.

Pete, What do you think of this? I have an old 40 gal hot water tank that I can make watertight. With a hydronic farming pump (1/4 hp should be 'nuff) I could recirculate that water and that 40 gallons should not heat up too bad for all the small jobs I may develop. I could even put RV anti-freeze in it too. I most likely would only have a 12.5' lead. . . .I may find an old refrigerator condensor/evaporator or a small Geo Metro type radiator if I find I need more cooling.. I just can't justify $300 for a factory cooler. I would be better off with an air cooled and keep $300. . . . .charlie

What's an air cooled torch cost? They're rated for the lower amp jobs. Should be able to get one for $80 or so.

Pete Keillor

I rigged up a 32 gallon RV water tank, added some - 50F RV antifreeze, and leave it in my shed year round with some Star San, a beer sanitizer. I have a 12v. Flotec pump on it, and use it for cooling my hot wort through a copper coil. The mix never comes in contact with the beer. A lot of guys use just tap water at 50-60 degrees F, but I can run mine at less than freezing, and there isn't a chance of it freezing in its closed system. If it is cold where you are, or you can keep a tank in a cool place, your RV antifreeze idea might work. A tank of water in a shop might be at a very low temp when you start to weld, and unless you weld a LOT, it should stay at a low enough temp to last for a good while.

Just a thought .................

A lot of folks make their own coolers, though carbonator pumps are normally what's used.

As for being better of with an air cooled torch, don't count on that. Water cooled torches are smaller, lighter, don't heat up appreciably under use and are easier to fit into tight spaces. The cables on water cooled torches are also lighter and more flexible, so they aren't pulling as hard at the torch when you're moving it around.

I had one, and used it on VERY LIGHT SS jobs. It was workable, but got hot fast. It didn't have any air circulating, just ambient air.

Steve

"Pintlar" wrote in message news:b3937$4d59638f$459201aa$ snipped-for-privacy@news.sonic-news.com...

You need water flow, one gallon / minute, less than 50 lbs pressure.

You need water flow, one gallon / minute, less than 50 lbs pressure. 35 to 40 lbs is about right but you need the 1g/min. phil k.