Welding improvement

[parsonsj]

I can't recommend a water-cooled torch enough, especially if you're welding aluminum. My Johnny Cheapass solution was to buy a water solenoid from Lincoln and connect it to the gas solenoid. So when there is gas flow, I have water flow. I tapped in to my house cold water supply and stuck a ball valve in between it and the welder and put the output back into the waste plumbing. No expensive chiller or fluid required.

Before a welding session, I open the ball valve to let cold water flow to the solenoid, then while welding the water flows (when gas is flowing) through the torch and on to the drain. I've done a lot of welding since then and haven't noticed any difference in my water bill (even when my power bill goes up from a lot of welding). When my welding session is done, I close the ball valve. It's no big deal: when I open the main bottle valve, I open the water valve. When I close the main bottle valve, I close the water valve.

The advantage is a cheap water-cooled torch, the downside is that I'm using tap water. Eventually it will put deposits in the torch and I'll have to clean them out with vinegar or something. Also, it limits where the welder can go: it can't be moved any farther than the length of the water lines.



But still: recommended.

jp