When I started TIG welding 40+ years ago the torch cooler was a large water tank that also served as the bottom of the rolling gear for the welder and a Oberdorfper high pressure pump. I think that they held about 10 gallons of water. You could run the welder at 300 amps all day long and never feel the power cable get hot. I use a similar set up on my Miller 300 amp gold star with good results. Radiator style coolers became popular when welders got smaller and dragging 80 pounds of water became a PIA.
DIY Tig Torch cooler
- Thread starter Robert Hall
- Start date
vpd66
Well-known member
Thats the same brand pump my Airco uses, but only has a tank capacity of around 3 gallons and the torch never gets hot.
OP
Robert Hall
Well-known member
Yes. Power supply, fan, and pump.
Not all necessary, partly for aesthetic in following the steam punk theme.
OP
Robert Hall
Well-known member
Here's what I have. Apologies for repeats.
And tapatalk is pouring them in upside down. Sorry.
Essentially it's this...
Pump to Copper thingy to take our vibration. Then cool line to torch. Torch back to radiator , radiator to tank, tank to pump.
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I ran my Lincoln 300/300 for years on a fish pond pump in a 5 gallon bucket production welding aluminum for FMF, the 110 plug on the front panel is switched 
then I switched to city water and use it to water the garden
I was given 3 Bernard coolers and gave them away.......noisy POS
then I switched to city water and use it to water the garden
I was given 3 Bernard coolers and gave them away.......noisy POS
MP&C
Well-known member
Nice Job!
CGT80
Well-known member
Is the pressure and flow correct for the Shurflo 12v, for TIG use? Have you used this cooler much?
I have an old cast iron pump tied to something like a 1/3hp motor and it is very noisy. I recently put new bearings in the fan motor for my TIG welder and welded up a crack in the mounting bracket and secured the steel panels of the welder better, so the welder is bearable to listen to now. The old bearings made a bit of noise, I guess they were old. The welder was made in the 60's..............a Miller GoldStar 330 ABP 460 amp unit. I run a 350 amp torch, but only a 50 amp service, which is half the rated input. I use the middle setting for up to 250 amp output for most of my welding.
I wondered if I could make the fan for my welder a "fan on demand" or thermostatically controlled. I think the duty cycle of the machine is 100% at 300 amps. It is in my garage and just used for hobby work, not production welding.
I looked at the procon pumps, but they are not cheap and I am not sure they are that much quieter. I have a sureflow pump in my toyhauler and even have an extra pump.
I have an old cast iron pump tied to something like a 1/3hp motor and it is very noisy. I recently put new bearings in the fan motor for my TIG welder and welded up a crack in the mounting bracket and secured the steel panels of the welder better, so the welder is bearable to listen to now. The old bearings made a bit of noise, I guess they were old. The welder was made in the 60's..............a Miller GoldStar 330 ABP 460 amp unit. I run a 350 amp torch, but only a 50 amp service, which is half the rated input. I use the middle setting for up to 250 amp output for most of my welding.
I wondered if I could make the fan for my welder a "fan on demand" or thermostatically controlled. I think the duty cycle of the machine is 100% at 300 amps. It is in my garage and just used for hobby work, not production welding.
I looked at the procon pumps, but they are not cheap and I am not sure they are that much quieter. I have a sureflow pump in my toyhauler and even have an extra pump.
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OP
Robert Hall
Well-known member
So, pressure from the shurflo pump. I run my pump at a full 12 volts and have had no issues. It typically runs at about 45 psi and that is what CK worldwide recommends. The pump has a shutoff valve for over pressure. This has not worked well on that pump. I have removed it from my tig cooler and it has worked fine for several months.
Another local gentleman recommends running the pump at a lower voltage to decrease the overall output. Well I find this a good recommendation pressure wise, I worry that the motor driven at only 6 volts give or take will be harder on the motor. This is something you will have to decide for yourself. It would be very easy to set it up to have a fan on demand. It would simply cost more in parts to do so.
I turn the fan on when I am really cranking the amps but otherwise I just leave it off. Since I have a 3 gallon tank, I don't heat up very much, however having the fan to cool off the fluid as it passes through the radiator is very helpful on hot summer days and when I am using over 250 amps.
Another local gentleman recommends running the pump at a lower voltage to decrease the overall output. Well I find this a good recommendation pressure wise, I worry that the motor driven at only 6 volts give or take will be harder on the motor. This is something you will have to decide for yourself. It would be very easy to set it up to have a fan on demand. It would simply cost more in parts to do so.
I turn the fan on when I am really cranking the amps but otherwise I just leave it off. Since I have a 3 gallon tank, I don't heat up very much, however having the fan to cool off the fluid as it passes through the radiator is very helpful on hot summer days and when I am using over 250 amps.
TauntDevil
Well-known member
The setup looks great. A bit much for myself being as broke as I am.
For when I ever need to pull out my higher amp, water cooled lines, I have a fitting that adapts to the house water hose to cool it down. Not great for always using the line but again, only used for when I really need it (200+ amp welds). Other than that, my air cooled torch does great since I dont go above that amperage often. Especially on my house welder lol
For when I ever need to pull out my higher amp, water cooled lines, I have a fitting that adapts to the house water hose to cool it down. Not great for always using the line but again, only used for when I really need it (200+ amp welds). Other than that, my air cooled torch does great since I dont go above that amperage often. Especially on my house welder lol
OP
Robert Hall
Well-known member
It was the need for my table build that this got done when it did.
I didn't have the 3X cash to buy one, so this was a necessary evil.
That being said, I wasn't going to build a POS.
I didn't have the 3X cash to buy one, so this was a necessary evil.
That being said, I wasn't going to build a POS.
TauntDevil;
wire a water solenoid into your machine like the old transformer machines.....
or use a fishpond pump in a 5 gallon bucket I was TIG welding 5-6 hours a day with the bucket....
I got rid of the bucket because it took up too much space......now 2 hoses go through the block wall the out waters flowers
I certainly don't want anymore noise or air currents in the shop
wire a water solenoid into your machine like the old transformer machines.....
or use a fishpond pump in a 5 gallon bucket I was TIG welding 5-6 hours a day with the bucket....
I got rid of the bucket because it took up too much space......now 2 hoses go through the block wall the out waters flowers
I certainly don't want anymore noise or air currents in the shop