Water cooled TIG torch without water?

[JOEPRO]

I picked up a Miller Dynasty 300DX recently spares or repair it included this dusty but near new quality TIG torch.

I do not have a water cooler to use it propoerly nor will I as for my light tinkering ill never need water cooling.

Would it damage the torch if I use it lightly max 200amp without water circulating?



Holch made in germany torch- it feels like very good quality gear

 

[GaryS65]

I picked up a Miller Dynasty 300DX recently spares or repair it included this dusty but near new quality TIG torch.

I do not have a water cooler to use it propoerly nor will I as for my light tinkering ill never need water cooling.

Would it damage the torch if I use it lightly max 200amp without water circulating?

View attachment 526749

Holch made in germany torch- it feels like very good quality gear

Yes, it will burn up in no time.

The copper wire in water cooled torches is thinner than their equivalent sizes aircooled counterparts.

 

[JOEPRO]

Yes, it will burn up in no time.

The copper wire in water cooled torches is thinner than their equivalent sizes aircooled counterparts.

Thanks ill not use it without water then and will get an air cooled torch

 

[hotponyshoes]

You can just connect it to a tap or hose to run water through it for testing.
Probably Rectus 21 fitting on it.

 

[tigdlo]

I think it's worth at least bodging up a small closed loop cooler without a radiator out of a cheap aliexpress pump and run it at a reduced maximum current and duty cycle. Is it a WP20 size? Small water cooled torches are nice to use, the head stays cool enough you can hold it like all the coolest youtubers too.

 

[GaryS65]

I think it's worth at least bodging up a small closed loop cooler without a radiator out of a cheap aliexpress pump and run it at a reduced maximum current and duty cycle. Is it a WP20 size? Small water cooled torches are nice to use, the head stays cool enough you can hold it like all the coolest youtubers too.

Cheap pumps and TIG torches seldom work out.

Caravan water pump is about the cheapest you'll get.

60PSI 1-2LPM of flow you need

 

[Agroshield]

You can just connect it to a tap or hose to run water through it for testing.

Would the quality (e.g. very hard) of the water be detrimental to the torch? Maybe if used only for testing, a rinse/flush with deionised water at the end could be prudent.

 

[hotponyshoes]

Would the quality (e.g. very hard) of the water be detrimental to the torch? Maybe if used only for testing, a rinse/flush with deionised water at the end could be prudent.

If it's running water (and going down the drain or into a water butt when it comes out) it's never going to get warm so I don't think any scale build up would be an issue.
Even if you used it as a permanent solution.

The water that's left in the torch when you have finished using it could evaporate and leave some stuff behind. If you were doing this on a regular basis either a flush or blow out with air.
I blow mine out before storage anyway although that's mainly to stop the bottom of the storage box getting wet (and ending up with a mouldy torch) rather than worries about build up inside the torch.

I've also got one torch that I regular use/swap and that just gets blanks put on the end and the coolant stays in it full time but that's proper tig coolant rather than plain water.

 

[BrokenBiker]

A mate of mine uses a little electric car coolant pump, and a home made tank filled with some sort of coolant for his water cooled torch.

 

[tigdlo]

Cheap pumps and TIG torches seldom work out.

Caravan water pump is about the cheapest you'll get.

60PSI 1-2LPM of flow you need

To achieve 60psi I would have to restrict the return, my CK20 flows 2LPM with almost no pressure.

Should the coolant be pressurised?

 

[Jan-DIY]

These Holch SR18 are quite nice.
I wouldn’t burn it down.

 

[eSCHEn]

I do not have a water cooler to use it propoerly nor will I as for my light tinkering ill never need water cooling.

Shame Joe, there is a Miller one here built like the proverbial that I just remembered about.

Would look lovely next to that Dynasty...

 

[JOEPRO]

Shame Joe, there is a Miller one here built like the proverbial that I just remembered about.

Would look lovely next to that Dynasty...

If its going like the bird says - cheap cheap let me know!

 

[hotponyshoes]

The proper Miller coolers are nice.
They just connect to the outlet on the back of the welder.
I'm not sure about the older ones but the newer ones have adjustable settings so they only run when required (although they are pretty quiet anyway)

 

[eSCHEn]

If its going like the bird says - cheap cheap let me know!

It certainly wasn't expensive when I acquired IIRC; would need to have a trawl to find what it owes me, hang on...

Right, I paid 100 quid for it so that's what I would need back. Postage might be an issue though as it is heavy and not small, this is built to last. It is buried in the back of a pile of all sorts so if you are interested then let me know and I can put on my brave pants and go digging for it.

And, of course, if you aren't interested then please just say so - no problems at all, I won't be upset

 

[JOEPRO]

It certainly wasn't expensive when I acquired IIRC; would need to have a trawl to find what it owes me, hang on...

View attachment 526767​

Right, I paid 100 quid for it so that's what I would need back. Postage might be an issue though as it is heavy and not small, this is built to last. It is buried in the back of a pile of all sorts so if you are interested then let me know and I can put on my brave pants and go digging for it.

And, of course, if you aren't interested then please just say so - no problems at all, I won't be upset

Thank you - yes im interested ill make sure this Miller welder of mine actually works inside the next week or so and ill get back to you either way

 

[carbon]

Should the coolant be pressurised?

No you just need flow through the torch

My weld craft cooler only specifies a flow of 7.2l/min. Pressure is not mentioned

 

[Jan-DIY]

What I know about is that only flow and pressure drop is important while testing because most pumps will decrease flow slightly linear to upstream pressure.
2l/min is fine.


What mentioned before is also quite common method.
Tap water.

 

[tigdlo]

What I know about is that only flow and pressure drop is important while testing because most pumps will decrease flow slightly linear to upstream pressure.
2l/min is fine.

I measured the flow at the return, time to fill a 5L container and pressure at the pump. I think pressure to get the required flow would be a good indication of blockages.

 

[hotponyshoes]

I measured the flow at the return, time to fill a 5L container and pressure at the pump. I think pressure to get the required flow would be a good indication of blockages.

Would be a good idea if you were making your own cooler.
Pressure gauges are cheap enough and you could just use marker pen to show the normal pressure.
Then you'll gey early warning of any build up or blocking.