Fronius TTW4000 TIG Torches FAQs
Answers to common questions about heavy-duty water-cooled manual TIG torches, including flexible-neck, extraction and long hose-pack versions.
What coolant should I use in a water-cooled TIG torch?
Use only what the torch and cooling unit manuals allow. Some makers accept distilled or deionised water or a dedicated low-conductivity TIG coolant, and say that other coolants can damage the pump and radiator and may void cover.
Tap water is usually best avoided because minerals can scale up and block the narrow passages in the torch. Automotive antifreeze is generally not designed for TIG cooling systems, so do not assume it is suitable. Mix and change coolant exactly as the manufacturer says, and keep used coolant out of drains.
What happens if the coolant stops flowing while I am welding?
The torch head and power cable depend on the coolant to carry heat away, so without flow they can overheat quickly and be damaged. For this reason many cooling units include a flow detector that stops or inhibits welding if low flow is sensed.
If the machine reports a flow fault, stop welding and look for the usual causes: low coolant level, a kinked or pinched hose, a tripped or failed pump, or a blocked passage. Do not bypass a flow safeguard. Check the cooler manual for the fault codes and the safeguard fitted.
How does a torch with built-in fume extraction work, and is it enough on its own?
An extraction torch draws fume away at the arc through openings in the torch itself, so the capture point moves with the welder. The HSE lists on-torch extraction as a type of local exhaust ventilation, and says modern high-efficiency welding guns with built-in extraction can give strong control of fume, although its example is MIG welding.
How well it works on TIG depends on technique, torch angle and draughts across the work, so it is not safe to assume it is enough on its own. All welding fume can cause lung cancer, so decide what is needed through your COSHH risk assessment, which may include other local exhaust, room air filtration or respiratory protective equipment.
When is a flexible-neck torch worth choosing?
A flexible neck lets you bend the torch head to reach tight corners, awkward angles or restricted joints that a rigid head cannot get into. It can also help you keep a comfortable wrist position when the joint is hard to reach.
Make sure the flexible body is rated for the current you intend to use, and avoid repeatedly bending it sharply at the same point, as this can wear it out. If you mostly weld open, easy-access joints, a rigid head is usually simpler and holds its shape better. Check the data plate and manual for the stated limits.