When to use water cooled versus air cooled TIG torches?
Air-cooled torches use the ambient air and shielding gas to dissipate excess heat. The power cable on an air-cooled torch contains more copper than the cable on a water-cooled torch to help prevent the cable insulation from melting or possibly burning. As a result, air-cooled torch cables are heavier and less flexible compared to water-cooled torches cables. However, air-cooled systems do not require an independent radiator cooling system and extra hoses that are associated with water-cooled systems. The simpler designs of air-cooled systems make them easier to operate, assemble, maintain and transport. Air-cooled TIG torches are rated between 50- and 300-amps. Water-cooled systems require a radiator cooling system which circulates water. Water-cooled torch and gun cables are lighter and more flexible because the cable contains less copper compared to air-cooled systems. Water-cooled TIG torches are rated between 125- and 500-amps.
