DIY Welding cooler. Mk3.

[Richard.]

Ever thought of using finned copper tube?

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I used to make coils similar to this

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I really like that. Never knew about such things. Bet that stuff is dear. Nice.

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

The company I worked for used to buy in from Germany....We are talking like 10 years ago though. Looking on the net today I see there are quite a few suppliers in the UK, but any that I have looked at are requesting you contact them for quotes/prices. That means they are not gonna be cheap

 

[Richard.]

They won't be as they are very intricate parts. Nice though.

 

[eSCHEn]

The company I worked for used to buy in from Germany....We are talking like 10 years ago though. Looking on the net today I see there are quite a few suppliers in the UK, but any that I have looked at are requesting you contact them for quotes/prices. That means they are not gonna be cheap

Ugh the old "POA" meaning "bring your own vaseline".

Shame as that looked very very handy.

I'm going to go down the counterflow route, a la wort chilling in brewing.

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

I wouldnt mind a length or two on that finned copper myself, so..... if anyone manages to get a price, I can help towards an order

 

[ukracer]

I wouldnt mind a length or two on that finned copper myself, so..... if anyone manages to get a price, I can help towards an order

I have phoned a place in Tamworth but got an answering machine so I will let you know how I get on.

 

[addjunkie]

What about an old fridge or freezer evaportator

 

[captain-destructo]

What about an old fridge or freezer evaportator

might be better with the type from a pub fridge they have a small rad / coil and a fan

or what about a beer flash cooler

 

[Richard.]

This is the top coverage that it will have. I'll face the complete front over but I'm leaving this 1 wall and part of the top open for 2 reasons.
1 it will look the bus seeing the rad and fan in motion
2 it will allow the air to get out easy. I'll drill some holes in other side for it to draw from.
The tank top is just laid there to show

 

[mr migwire]

looking good Richard,

 

[Richard.]

looking good Richard,

Wait till she gets a coat of red. (As requested by the customer)

 

[Richard.]

I have an old ProCon pump on a 240v motor, a few old car heaters and a tig torch that gets very hot. I have been wondering about upgrading to a different machine with a cooler, but strikes me that I could make my own cooler if it would work with my machine.

I know nothing about various tig torches and machines, mine is an Esab Handytig 180 ACDC which is just a rebadged Lorch Handytig 180 ACDC. Could this accept a watercooled tig torch? When I wanted a smaller flexible torch I bought an Esab one as wasn't sure if you had to stick to the manufacturers own kit. The control plug is a two wire metal affair with a screw locking collar.

You can make a cooler to work with any machine as they have no relationship to each other
They can be very simple. If you don't mind too much about size you could use a big tank that holds a large volume of water. In this case you won't need a rad or fan as volume alone will keep it's temp down.

 

[Richard.]

Welding and tank look good.

I made up some computer bits a long time ago, I think I had it 2005-2012 and nothing leaked Computer brushless dc pumps and heat exchangers would be very good for this. I'd recommend using 6mm OD hose, it will be adequate and give a lot more freedom at the torch end. What are you using to cool the torch?

How much heat will it be removing?

Well the cooler will cool the torch by circulating water round it.

 

[Badger1bear]

Wait till she gets a coat of Lorch Red. (As requested by the customer)

 

[Richard.]

Now your been picky. I don't know the exact colour of a lorch other than it's scarlet red.

 

[Badger1bear]

Matt1978 ! we need clarification on what shade of Red, Lorch is LOL


Ive pm'ed Matt

 

[Richard.]

It will be a mix and I don't have professional spray facility's to get it exact. I'll find one that's close and paint it up well.

 

[Badger1bear]

as long as you dont use a roller and its not everlast green or rtech blue

 

[Richard.]

None of the above it will be (close) to lorch red. It looks like a fire orange/red so I'll see what I can do.

 

[Richard.]

Enough for now tomorrow afternoon I may get another hour on it and get the front face fitted.