Tig cooler question

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Thinking of building my own.  I'm curious why some insist you need something capable of producing 40 lbs of pressure?  As long as you are moving enough volume through the torch so that the return water is still cool what difference does it make?  I have a Taco bronze domestic water recirculating pump that moves way more water then that little 1/4" ?? line can even handle. but it doesn't make a lot of pressure, probably in the 5-10 pound range. Just curious. Don't bite my head off
Reply:The water passages in the torch head are very small. You need the pressure to move the required flow through the torch.
Reply:Originally Posted by welds4dThe water passages in the torch head are very small. You need the pressure to move the required flow through the torch.
Reply:Hi Stefuel, The following link to Miller water cooler, can help you about the water required to differents rates:http://www.millerwelds.com/pdf/spec_sheets/AY7-2.pdfBest RegardsMauricio
Reply:The smaller water passages in the torch head act like an orifice tube in an AC system which provides an additional localized cooling affect so the extra pressure is essential however you don’t want the pressure to be too great because the lines could possibly burst.
Reply:The main issue here is reliability. This is the same problem you worry about when trying to skimp money on secondhand used coolers.If your DIY cooler takes a break while you're welding and unable to pay attention to it...... I guess you've just burned up a $150 torch. Weldcraft makes a 200 amp air-cooled torch. They also make a premium-quality 300 amp air-cooled for about $200. I highly recommend both of them. Keeps things simple, you don't worry as much about Murphy's Law that way.The downside with those is if you're going past 130 or 200 amps respectively you'll want to use a gas lens, larger-sized cup and a fairly heavy gas flow.  they're also a little bulkier than water cooled ones, but that only a problem if you do a lot of tight-space work.
Reply:Stefuel,Pumps create volume, restriction = pressure
Reply:Originally Posted by stefuelDo torch manufacturers specify the volume of water required for cooling at various rates?My welder maxes out at 250 amps.Just out of curiosity I'm going to hook this pump up to the torch and see what the flow rate actually is.  It's a free bronze pump so it's a free experiment