Water cooled torch

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I currently have the torch that came with my Syncrowave 180SD.  It is a diamondback 17 air cooled.  I'd like to replace it with a water cooled torch.  As far as cooling, I would probably use domestic water with single pass.  Any opinions as far as replacement torch brand, size, or type would be greatly appreciated and comments about using single pass water would be great also.  I'd like to buy a cooler unit but its a bit out of my budget.  I'm an automotive/ hobbist welder so I mostly weld mild steel and a little bit of aluminum if that helps.  Thanks.
Reply:The 20-series is the most popular because it can handle 200A when water cooled and is identical in size to a wp9. 1st on WeldingWeb to have a scrolling sig! HTP Invertig 400HTP Invertig 221HTP ProPulse 300HTP ProPulse 200 x2HTP ProPulse 220MTSHTP Inverarc 200TLP HTP Microcut 875SC
Reply:CK makes an excellent 20 series torch that's decently priced.http://www.arc-zone.com/index.php?ma..._908_1566_1034.No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:CK20 all the way.  Very flexible and light.  Look on eBay for a used one.  IIRC, I got mine with a bunch of consumables for $125 shipped.CK calls for 1 liter per minute of coolant flow, so make sure that's what you have coming out of your output line.If your interested in a 25' waterline, a homemade adapter for a miller welder to a 20 torch, and an assembled fitting to go from standard hose thread to LH tig thread, shoot me a PM.  You can buy an immersable pump at home depot, fill a 5 gal bucket with distilled water and go to town.  You won't need a heat exchanger.You can hunt for a cooler in the meantime.  If you're patient, you'll find a deal.Be aware that if you have hard water in your area, it will eventually clog the small ports in your torch head.Last edited by Drf255; 05-05-2013 at 06:15 AM.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Thanks for all the advice.  I didn't consider the hardness factor.  The water in my area is really hard.  around 20-24.  1 liter per minute isn't much.  Would that change depending on whether I use actual coolant or distilled water? Or is coolant a generic term for liquid flow?
Reply:If the coolant is thicker than water, it will need more pressure to flow at the same rate.Whatever you use, just put the end of the output hose in a one quart mason jar and make sure it fills it in under a minute.If your house water is already softened, I don't think you'll have issues.  It's really easy to make a cooling setup with an immersable pump and a 5 gallon bucket.  Two gallons of propylene glycol antifreeze and 3 gallons of distilled and you're done.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum