Homemade Tig water cooler

[AsianPoet]

this is on my to do list.. as I just want to experience what its like to weld with a water cooled torch tig. that and its a neat little projectt.

[Spike]

A home made water cooler... I can honestly say I hadn't thought of doing that... Now that I think about it though, I don't know why it never crossed my mind. Just never put a lot of thought into a water cooler since I don't do a lot of high amperage/ long duty cycle work, I guess.

Good project idea!

[Tanh]

This might be a silly question but has anybody considered using something other than water to cool a torch? Maybe like Glycol or alcohol based coolants? Would that have any affect on the torches? It's a really interesting idea, DIY cooler. When I get my tig up and running I might venture there too.

[Odyknuck]

Are these the same pumps that are used in RVs?

On demand small sprayer pumps work well. They are available in 120V. You don't need but a gallon a minute or less flow.
http://www.agrisupply.com/D-Duplex-M...05/&sid=&eid=/

[Rambozo]

Are these the same pumps that are used in RVs?

RV pumps are 12 volt, but yes those are the same basic diaphragm pumps, and you can get them in different voltages.

[Odyknuck]

Yea I was aware they RV units were 12vdc. I just happen to have a new one in a box that I bought for a spare for my Motor home and Toy hauler. Would need a 12VDC power supply for it. Just looking around the shop for things that could be used to build a cooler. So I have the RV pump, A 6" diameter 230 VAC muffin fan and a 12 x 12 Aluminum transmission cooler. A lot of mis match parts lol!!!!

[Rambozo]

Yea I was aware they RV units were 12vdc. I just happen to have a new one in a box that I bought for a spare for my Motor home and Toy hauler. Would need a 12VDC power supply for it. Just looking around the shop for things that could be used to build a cooler. So I have the RV pump, A 6" diameter 230 VAC muffin fan and a 12 x 12 Aluminum transmission cooler. A lot of mis match parts lol!!!!

Sounds like just add a 230VAC to 12VDC power supply, a tank, and you're all set.

[Johnson]

Has anyone used a motor like this? It is 120 volt and made for pumping water and such....farm pump. 1/2 hp 500gph for $39 bucks? Found on ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/370558591841...84.m1423.l2648

[Rambozo]

Has anyone used a motor like this? It is 120 volt and made for pumping water and such....farm pump. 1/2 hp 500gph for $39 bucks? Found on ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/370558591841...84.m1423.l2648

Way over the top for a TIG cooler. Even the large Procon style ones are 100gph or less.

[everlastsupport]

You can get the procon pumps for $80 or so new from even Grainger. Also, ebay has them, soda vendors use them and I have seen used ones on there.

The well and irrigation pumps are overkill, waste of power too. That price looks good though.

[hooda]

This might be a silly question but has anybody considered using something other than water to cool a torch? Maybe like Glycol or alcohol based coolants? Would that have any affect on the torches? It's a really interesting idea, DIY cooler. When I get my tig up and running I might venture there too.

Hi. I posed the same question because my shop sometimes loses heat, and I wanted to use dexcool or something similar, I was told it has to do with electrical conductivity, and how it will cause an electrolytic process that will eat away at the cooler and other parts. This made more sense when I installed a new heater core in a car and the tag directed me to check for voltage in the antifreeze (one probe on batt negative, one directly in the coolant.) It said that if there was voltage present, fix it, or the new heater core would quickly fail, Hope this helps. Best to use distilled, deionized, water, or special welder cooler antifreeze.

[hooda]

You can get the procon pumps for $80 or so new from even Grainger. Also, ebay has them, soda vendors use them and I have seen used ones on there.

The well and irrigation pumps are overkill, waste of power too. That price looks good though.

My first welder Came with a Bernard watercooler that the pump failed on. The LWS replaced it with a procon carbonation pump. Worked EXCELLENT! I'll be building my next cooler, time permitting, and using the same type pump

[everlastsupport]

My first welder Came with a Bernard watercooler that the pump failed on. The LWS replaced it with a procon carbonation pump. Worked EXCELLENT! I'll be building my next cooler, time permitting, and using the same type pump

I still have a Bernard. Only repair was the pump, plastic impeller wore out. I do not use it a lot, but they are built solid. Big SS tank, big radiator, big fan.

[hooda]

I still have a Bernard. Only repair was the pump, plastic impeller wore out. I do not use it a lot, but they are built solid. Big SS tank, big radiator, big fan.

Do you have the "flat style" or the "tower"? I had the tower. It was about 3 feet tall by 1 foot square. Tank on bottom, cooler mounted Kitty-corner across the middle, then the motor mounted vertically. The motor had long shafts out each end, so the bottom shaft ran the pump, and the top ran the fan. I have seen the same cooler labelled under other brands, such as the old l-tec, but mine was labelled as Bernard in multiple places. I'd bet it was 30-35 years old. I REALLY like my Everlast cooler, but when I build my own, it will be closer to the bernard design, space permitting. One thing I've seen on another brand that I want is a flow indicator. Or a pressure gauge, something for the peace of mind to KNOW that it's working.

[everlastsupport]

Do you have the "flat style" or the "tower"? I had the tower. It was about 3 feet tall by 1 foot square.

It is the flat style. Built tough for sure, new pump figure another 30 years (I will not last that long). I have hit an ankle on it a few times and it hurts, I have it on the floor, bad idea for me.

Had offers on it, would sell it for space and use water hose, like I normally do. But it is a nice cooler for sure.

[CGCINC]

What's an average cost to build your own?
When I bought my 250ex I bought the Everlast cooler as well and I think I spent around $300 on it. It has worked perfectly and I didn't have to go through the trial and error and guessing game.