Welding Guns: Gas Cooled vs. Water Cooled

It is hard to imagine, but the patents for what would become gas metal arc welding (GMAW) were issued nearly 100 years ago, introducing the first concepts of a GMAW gun. Since then, the gun has evolved and remains a workhorse of the arc welding industry.

The development and application of GMAW guns in industry revolve around two primary design types: gas cooled (often referred to as air cooled) and water cooled. Water-cooled guns typically use a mixture of water and coolant that offers freeze protection and h..