T
TRA
Guest
Unless you are operating in a heavy production or any continuous daily operation, the water cooled maintenance issue is non-existent. As far as flexability goes, if you hold the cables vertical and the torch hangs straight bown then it's flexable. The worst time to figure out you should have bought a water cooled torch is usually about 2/3 of the way into a critical weld. Air cooled torches get hot and when they do, it's hot, right now.
Quality equipment is very durable and is made to hold up in less than optimal operating conditions. Welders and their attachments, especially so. When you buy brand name quality their lifespans are decades, not months like the foreign knockoffs. A good "quality" welder will out live it's operator. Of course if you are going to run it 24-7 and continous duty your mileage may vary. The biggest issue with water is damaging the cable and coolant lines, which happens.
Quality equipment is very durable and is made to hold up in less than optimal operating conditions. Welders and their attachments, especially so. When you buy brand name quality their lifespans are decades, not months like the foreign knockoffs. A good "quality" welder will out live it's operator. Of course if you are going to run it 24-7 and continous duty your mileage may vary. The biggest issue with water is damaging the cable and coolant lines, which happens.