A heater core for a tig welder cooler heat exchanger? Hope this is okay in the race section as this is where I lurk and it seems like similar topics come up here once in a while.
Wondering if it will be enough. I think it will except for maybe thick aluminum. I scored an older Esab 300 amp welder minus cooler a couple of weeks ago. Has a new water cooled torch with it.

The nice thing about it is the torch head is so much smaller than my air cooled unit on my Lincoln percision tig 185.

I know someone on here has built their own cooler. Just wondering what you may have used for a heat exchanger. A/C evaporator maybe if a heater core isn't enough. I already got a brass pump off ebag dirt cheap and a motor. Any help would be appreciated. Beep

take this fwiw. i have a syncrowave 250 that i built a cooler into. i used a stainless food tray, B&M plate type trans cooler and a carpet cleaner pump. imho you need a pump capable of decent pressure i'm guessing at least 20# because the fittings and hose for the water torch are small. iirc the pump i used makes around 30#. i mounted the cooler under the machine so the internal fan draws air through it. i also installed a hobbs type pressure switch inline so if for any reason the machine looses pressure it shuts down the output to keep from damaging the leads or torch.

i see no reason why a heater core won't work, i don't think it really needs to shed a lot of heat. i use a HW-20 torch with water and a CK-9 with a superflex cable for gas cooled.

Thanks Jim,
I just bought a procon pump that is normally used on a carbonator for a soda fountain that is capable of 100gph at 170 psi. It has a adjustable regulator on it so I can tame it down.
I was looking at youtube videos and seen one made with a stainless food tray, a heater core, and this type pump and just wanted a first hand user to tell me how theirs worked. Sounds like yours should be really similar with the trans cooler.
I like the idea of the Hobbs switch.
I also have a 20 series torch on this machine and it looks to be practically new. Thanks for your input. Beep

About 2 years ago my cooler went out and I burnt up my leads, I bought new leads and hooked it up to my city water with a valve I can adjust. It has never been better. I don't think I will buy another cooler.

My 300 amp Airco had a 30 gal tank on it... the whole
bottom of the machine was a cooling tank... never had
to look into putting a cooler on it

I have used well water for 15 years never any problem, very little water used. My new to me Miller Gold Star has a 15 gallon tank and is better for moving around the shop.You do need enough line pressure like the other guy said.

I bought a miller off the bag for 80.00, not worth building. TIm