Tig torch problem and I need advice soon......

[piniongear]

I am in the middle of a project welding aluminum plates and tubing.
Suddenly there is water dripping put of the torch head.nozzle
Knowing water and electricity do not mix, I shut things down.

The torch is a CK (#20) water cooled torch running off a Dynasty 200 machine.
Can someone tell me what may have caused the water to start leaking and where should I begin to find and fix the problem?
Thanks for any help and I will have to pause on the project until I get it fixed.
Perry

[H80N]

Perry...

is that a Flex Head version CK-20.............??

[piniongear]

H80N,
Yes, I failed to mention that it is a flex head. The flex neck is where it must be leaking because the water drips out of the cup.
Perry.

[H80N]

H80N,
Yes, I failed to mention that it is a flex head. The flex neck is where it must be leaking because the water drips out of the cup.
Perry.

Thought so...after extended use they sometimes crack along the silver solder joints.....Metal fatigue...

time to go shopping for a new torch

[piniongear]

Thanks for your comments. The torch is only 2 years old but it has seen quite a bit of use.
I am welding lap joints of 1/8 inch 6061 to 1/4 inch 6061 plate.
I may just shut off the water cooler and try to finish the project with a non cooled torch.
I am welding at 130 amps A/C so it is a borderline situation on if I can do this without cooling. Any comment on using no water?
Thanks,
Perry

[H80N]

Thanks for your comments. The torch is only 2 years old but it has seen quite a bit of use.
I am welding lap joints of 1/8 inch 6061 to 1/4 inch 6061 plate.
I may just shut off the water cooler and try to finish the project with a non cooled torch.
I am welding at 130 amps A/C so it is a borderline situation on if I can do this without cooling. Any comment on using no water?
Thanks,
Perry

without water... it will likely POP... & Sizzle itself....Nearly Instanter................ bad news

the power cable runs inside of one of the coolant hoses.... without water..........PPPpppFFFFfffttt finito...

Hope you have a spare 17 series air cooled torch

[piniongear]

Thanks for that info. This torch has recently started popping a couple of times and that surprised me as to what could cause it to pop. The metal is always super clean.
Yes I once had a 17 torch but it went with my Miller Syncro180 machine when I sold it.
I will start searching for another torch I guess.

[ryanjones2150]

I bet that's a pretty cool sound....PPPpppFFFFffftttfinito....

[H80N]

I bet that's a pretty cool sound....PPPpppFFFFffftttfinito....

kinda like the sound that one inch of green cannon fuse makes when you light it off....

[H80N]

Good place to look

http://www.ebay.com/dsc/TIG-Torches/67062/i.html?_from=R40&LH_TitleDesc=1&_nkw=water+cooled&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xwater+cooled.TRS0&_osacat=67062&_odkw=

[ryanjones2150]

Buy two while you're at it. That way next time you don't have to stop the show. I hate not having a part like that.

[H80N]

Any luck on a new torch yet....??...

[FusionKing]

Make you replace it with CK 20 or you'll have to change the power hose