Why would a person go to the trouble of using a water cooled torch?   After all, they are more expensive and require a separate water pump and cooling unit.  Also, you see plenty of videos with people welding without problems using a standard torch.  So why even consider such an extravagance? 

Well, there are several compelling reasons:

  1. If you are welding aluminum with AC, the torch will heat up after a short time and become too hot to hold, or will damage the torch.
  2. Welding thicker aluminum may be impractical for a standard gas cooled torch, as you may have to stop often to let the torch cool down, or you may not be able to achieve proper penetration on thicker stock.
  3. Water cooled torches are smaller and allow closer torch positioning, which may increase maneuverability and accuracy.
  4. You will never experience hot hands from the torch body, even on long and extended welds, and even with aluminum and AC setups.
  5. You will never destroy your torch by letting it get too hot.
  6. A water cooled torch will weld anything for as long as you want, allowing for greater flexibility and future proofing.  You will never outgrow it.

We've already heard the cost argument.  How much extra does that entail?  Here are typical extra costs of opting for a water cooled system:

  1. The water cooler: from about $300 to a whopping $1200.  
    1. PrimeWeld offers one for $400 that looks decent.
    2. Some people have built their own unit for just a few hundred dollars.
  2. The coolant can be expensive and you shouldn't use car antifreeze.
    1. You do need to protect the system from freezing, so some sort of antifreeze is required.
    2. RV antifreeze -- the pink kind -- has been used by many with good results.
    3. Specially formulated welding antifreeze coolant may cost up to $65 per gallon, and often 2 gallons are needed.
  3. The torch itself is about $100 additional over the standard gas cooled torch.
  4. You may wish to protect the water lines from abrasion, as they are separate from the gas line with the embedded electrical feed current.  A leather cover can run from $40 to $85 depending on the length.
  5. The smaller torch already features a stubby gas lens and collet, so you won't have to upgrade your standard torch with a stubby gas lens kit.   This could save you up to $50.

You may be looking at an additional $500 to $600 for the water cooled torch, but if you decide to upgrade later, you will be out the cost of the standard torch, which could be as much as $200.  However, if you are starting out and want the easiest torch to learn with and want to protect your investment against outgrowing it in the future, the extra money for a water cooled torch might be worth it.  Many who have upgraded claim they like the smaller torch and cooler handling, and would not go back to the standard one.

Last modified: Sunday, 9 June 2024, 6:05 PM