Here is your most recent issue of High Current News. It's packed full of information to keep you updated with the latest "MIG" & "TIG" news, product information and updates from D/F MACHINE SPECIALTIES.

D/F is a world leader in the design, development, and manufacture of "MIG" & "TIG" welding products, consumables & accessories.

Holiday 2010 Shutdown Notice 
Thanksgiving: Office & Factory Closed Thursday Nov. 25th & Friday Nov. 26th
Christmas: Office & Factory Closed Friday Dec. 24 & Reopen Monday, Jan. 3rd

Air-Cooled vs. Water-Cooled

Different applications might call for different requirements for your welding equipment setup. Often times these differences can be placed into two categories: air-cooled and water-cooled torches. Here we would like to disseminate several of these differences to help make the correct choice. Cooling is an important factor for it prevents the power cable, torch and consumables from overheating and preventing injury to the welding operator. Other factors that should be considered are cost, physical impact and portability.

Air-cooled torches are simply cooled by the ambient air around the torch. They require no additional equipment for cooling the torch, so air-cooled torches are generally less expensive than water-cooled, as well as more portable. These torches are also significantly lighter in weight. On the other hand, air-cooled torches generally run at lower amperage ratings than water-cooled, and overall have lower maximum amperage ratings. The downfall of using air-cooled torches lies in the fact that they do not have the cooling capacity; the parts and consumables cannot withstand the elements and do not last as long. The initial cost savings will be lost because of the greatly increased consumption of current tips and gas nozzles, and the increased amount of downtime and maintenance.

Water-cooled torches are cooled with water or a type of coolant. They are physically smaller than air-cooled torches of similar amperage rating. Moreover, the torches themselves are able to sustain higher amperage ratings overall. On the other hand, water-cooled torches are usually heavier than air-cooled torches since they have additional water passages inside the torch as well as water utilities attached to the torch. The extra cables, as well as the need for a water circulator, make water-cooled torches more expensive. The benefit of using water-cooled torches is that they have superior cooling capacity; the parts and consumables can withstand the elements and last a considerably longer amount of time. Because of this, there is extensive reduction in downtime due to less maintenance and the reduced changing of current tips & nozzles. The initial cost will be recouped in the reduced because of these factors.

Check out D/F's Air-Cooled & Water-Cooled Torches

Water-Cooled Tandem Torch

The D/F Machine Specialties specially designed high amperage water-cooled "MIG" Tandem welding torch is a critical component of the Tandem welding system, engineered with specific spacing and alignment of two contact tips to achieve proper arc control. The torch is typically rated in the 600-1300 amp range.

To provide maximum resistance to the abuses of day to day service, the tandem torch is of heavy duty construction with all metal parts well insulated from current carrying members. The D/F Tandem Torch, like all D/F torches, is easily reparable, thus reducing downtime and increasing productivity.

• High Weld Metal Deposition Rate
• Wire Range of Torch Sizes and Tip Spacing
• Lowers Production Costs & Increases Productivity

Learn More About the Water-Cooled Tandem Torch

D/F Welding Tips & Tricks - Effective MIG Welding

There are many things to be considered that can make a MIG welding job more effective. Several important items are pointed out below.

• Keeping the torch/gun and utilities as straight as possible while welding will help prevent poor wire feed.
• Generally, a 1/4"-3/8" wire stick-out will allow for proper weld bead size and overall control of the weld.
• For even more weld bead control, always direct the wire toward the leading edge of the weld puddle.
• Be sure to use the correct wire type for the base materials being welded: use aluminum wire to weld aluminum, use steel wire to weld steel, etc.
• Always keep the wire and base metals clean to ensure a cleaner weld.

Check out D/F's Robotic MIG Torches .

Got Projects? Submit Them to WIN!

We want to see how our equipment helps brings out the best of your creativity, skill, or whatever else helps you with your welding projects.

Submit your projects to:
Newsletter@DFMachineSpecialties.com

Things to include:

• Photos of your project
• What did you make?
• How did you make it?
• Which D/F products did you use?

Project submissions will be put in a drawing for a chance to win a $50 Gift Card to your local Best Buy Consumer Electronics Store.

Words from the Editor

Greetings from D/F!
Thank you for reading our High Current News e-newsletter. Please share this issue with a friend and send us your comments.
Enjoy!

Best Regards,
Dave Judd, Editor
D/F Machine Specialties, Inc.

Contact D/F | Products

www.dfwelds.com