One of many challenges of TIG welding is holding the new torch for prolonged intervals as you’re employed. The longer you weld, the extra the warmth builds up. Even the perfect set of gloves can’t preserve a number of hundred levels at bay for lengthy.
Eastwood developed an affordable TIG torch cooling system that may be fitted to many late-model TIG welders that use the WP18F torch. However loads of people have been involved such a easy cooling system wouldn’t be efficient sufficient for severe welding tasks. So to place some numbers behind that declare, our product engineers ran a torture take a look at on two torches.
Utilizing Eastwood’s well-liked TIG 200 AC/DC welder, they mounted the torch head to our 4’ x 4’ CNC plasma slicing desk. This allowed for a managed, repeatable take a look at for each models, eliminating the possibility for human error (and harm). Working a programmed sample on ¼” metal plate, the welder was set at full load and operated repeatedly till failure. Alongside the way in which, temperatures have been recorded on the torch head and the deal with, in addition to the bottom strap. The water temps have been additionally tracked all through the run with the water-cooled torch.
There have been a number of surprises, not least of which was how nicely the TIG 200 AC/DC labored beneath steady load. Not solely did it exceed its amperage output by 10 p.c, it additionally ran completely at 100% responsibility cycle. Not unhealthy for a machine rated at 60% responsibility cycle. The temperature of the cooling fluid on the water-cooled torch additionally by no means exceeded that of a pleasant enjoyable tub.
Spoiler Alert…
Okay, we cooked the air-cooled torch in about 12 minutes of welding. The water-cooled torch ran out of fabric after 25 minutes and lived to inform about it. As for the torch temperatures? Effectively, you’ll have to take a look at the video to see for your self.
RESOURCES IN THIS ARTICLE
Eastwood Elite TIG Torch Water Cooler with WP18F Torch – Merchandise # 98020