MIG TIG water cooler quick connects

[pcmeiners]

I know there is a limited audience for this....
Any of you guys have a cooler with quick connects, which ones do have? Purchased a cheapy Chinese set of Ebay, no way I am going to use them; not sure what I was thinking when I hit the "buy it now button". Please only answer if you have a rig with a decent set installed, any issues? Putting together a MIG and TIG setup.

 

[dr_clyde]

So, you're trying to use one water cooler with 2 machines?

 

[pcmeiners]

"So, you're trying to use one water cooler with 2 machines? "

Exactly what I am going to do. Want to be able to switch torches quick, without the torches hoses/cooler pump draining glycol/water all over.

Along with this, I am going to add a flow meter to the return of the cooler line, which I will rig to an alarm so I do not burn up the torches if the water flow stops due to clogged filter/hose crimps/pump issues/memory issues etc.

Hoping to have someone who has a rig, so I can duplicate exactly what they have. Yes I know McCallister has parts, thanks, as does Ebay and welding shops, just trying to avoid mistakes and unnecessary parts or costly mistakes in ordering.

Pricey? I already realize this industry charges an arm and a leg for everything, especially the small stuff; eg replaced 2 capacitors in my Miller xmt 350 mpa @ $186., gas valve $120., Miller faceplate $58 (worth 5.) . All these part are over priced, capacitor should at most $40, but you can't get them except through Miller unless you want to buy a minimum of 20, gas valve, a simple solenoid ( I have a dozen) but you need all the adapter/hardware. I am at the point of acceptance

 

[pepi]

Mig water cooled torch ....... that's a new one.

 

[Thumper68]

Mig water cooled torch ....... that's a new one.

The only water cooled mig guns I have seen are in heavy production, where the operator is running very high amps and all day.

 

[KM223]

I use Weldtec QD's on all my TIG torches for both water cooled and air cooled.

 

[malibu101]

I am not a weldor, but, I have seen many welding processes in different areas of manufacturing.
Water cooled TIG- quite common.
Water cooled MIG- never heard of such a thing.

I don't doubt it could exist but I can't imagine where.
I've seen some LARGE multipass welds (the wire diameter was almost like a coathanger) on structural steel using big MIG guns off of large power supplies and wire feeders, and the guns were not water cooled.

Edit- Just Googled it and yeah I see water cooled MIG does exist.
And I think the large beam welds I saw were FCAW not MIG as I don't remember seeing gas.

 

[dr_clyde]

The problem I foresee with this is on the TIG machine the power lead is also a coolant line. AFAIK, the liquid cooled mig gun cools jackets around the nozzle, contact tip and handle, so the connections are different. You'd have to have quite an array of adapters and plumbing.

What kind of wire welding are you doing at home where a water cooled gun is needed? I run a 300 amp tweco gun on my lincoln 300 Invertec, and going flat out, spray transfer, the gun handle never gets too hot to hang on to. I will admit, water cooling will prolong consumable life, but on the home or light industrial level, that's probably negligible.

Just curious, mostly. If it was me, I'd just buy another used watercooler and save myself the inevitable hassles and leaks.

I do like the idea of an alarmed flowmeter. That seems like it would be handy.

 

[Exit 61]

Mig water cooled torch ....... that's a new one.

Cobra Matic....... Water cooled

 

[pcmeiners]

"So, you're trying to use one water cooler with 2 machines?"
Correction from my last post...... 2 or more torches with one cooler, have to retake reading 101

Will look into Weldtec QD's , thanks

" You'd have to have quite an array of adapters and plumbing."
Exactly the issue, never seen a specific industry with so many different adapters. I may bring it a local supply for the QDs, but this is NYC, they will sell you anything to make a buck. Ordering adapters online, at least for me, is like the lottery.

"What kind of wire welding are you doing at home where a water cooled gun is needed?"
Preparing for another business venture.

"If it was me, I'd just buy another used water cooler and save myself the inevitable hassles and leaks."
Just so happens I have another. I purchase (2) Pro Cool IIs off a guy on Ebay for $250. (1 listing), one new, the other just needed a cleaning. Your idea sounds like a reasonable solution.

By no means are the QDs a major issue, but if I do not ask ,I just know I will be purchasing more then one expensive set and have extra adapter hardware.

"I do like the idea of an alarmed flow meter"
I just know my associate or me will forget to turn on the cooler at some point and fry cables if I do not have an alarm; pressure gauge is useless in the case of blockage for the most part, plus you need to monitor it. Figure I will install it in the return line, simple 12v supply $6, $20 flow switch, $5 sonalert. Bless the Chinese, where else can you get a power supply and flow switch for $25.32 shipped, over here the shipping alone would be $25.32.

12v water resistant supply....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/131914068693?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Flow switch....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/131914068693?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
http://www.ebay.com/itm/311778611689

 

[DenisG]

If you want quick connects that don't leak, google "DESO quick connect"
(Double-End ShutOff)
Swagelok is one company that makes them. Pricey, though. I've used them in lab work, but not for my welder.

 

[pcmeiners]

KM223, nice setup, have to check into the Weldtec in a couple days. I see you have the Miller remote, nice addition.

Denis, took a quick look at some Swagelok QDs, your right they are pricey but tool polishers would sleep with them they are so beautiful
Denis sorry about the name misspell, post was after a long day on the computer

 

[pcmeiners]

Thanks guys for the suggestions....

Went with the Swagelok, stainless steel DESO connectors, as Ebay has (had) quite a supply, at very reasonable prices ( compared to retail ); Ebay prices for Swageloks were lower then most quality brand QCs, and at least I could see what I was purchasing; Swagelok even has a catalogue with all the specs. Again thanks

 

[dr_clyde]

Post pictures when you get it all hooked up.

 

[pcmeiners]

Will do Dr , but it won't be for a while, have 4 project going at once; all fun but it getting to feel like I am on the rack, being pulled by all four. Just pulled up your link to your fab table. WOW, incredible. Sure hope you never need to move it to a new location.

 

[dr_clyde]

Will do Dr , but it won't be for a while, have 4 project going at once; all fun but it getting to feel like I am on the rack, being pulled by all four. Just pulled up your link to your fab table. WOW, incredible. Sure hope you never need to move it to a new location.

Haha thanks. It actually moves really easy with a forklift. Hardest part is finding space for it all...

 

[pcmeiners]

"It actually moves really easy with a forklift."

With one like this.....

 

[pcmeiners]

Well I purchased the Swagelok quick connects QC4 series, color coded, on Ebay and modified one of my ProCool II torch coolers. Added a cheap filter purchased on Ebay, even though the Procon pump has a small screen filter. Purchased a flow switch and placed it in the supply side of the pump circuit, n circuit with a Sonalert, so if the supply side dose not produce flow when the power is on, it sound the alarm. Aside from the flow switch the alarm circuit required a small 12vdc supply, a delay timer (3 seconds), and a small single pole double relay. The delay is necessary until the pump is up to pressure, the small relay was needed as the flow switch is normally closed with no water flow, I needed the opposite. I added a liquid filled gauge, but users do not look at gauges often, thus the Sonalert. The gauge is good to spot pump issues, clogged filters, or corrosion build up before the alarm will sound. What I really wanted to do was add an IR transmitter/switch to keep the power from coming on before the cooler was running, but more work then I have time for; Miller or Lincoln should do this.

Cooler mods..

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Filter, similar to this....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Torchsaver-...449626?hash=item2efa09eb1a:g:i7EAAOSwPhdVTCar

Flow switch....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/311778611689?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT


Timer....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261320472183?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT