Welding Tips and Tricks

I'm looking for some ideas on what I might use to cap the ends of my TIG torch quick connect fittings. This would be to keep out dirt on the argon and keep the coolant in on the cooling tubes. They are about 5/16 in diameter. I'm currently using baby bottle nipples but they are a bit large and the coolant leaks. I've asked in some stores and no one has an idea.

Check with Grainger or a similar supply house. You need the plastic protective caps that they put on bolts to protect the threads when they paint over or sand blast.

http://www.widgetco.com/screw-thread-co ... wAodjdIO5Q

First listing I found. Just get the size you want. Down side you need to find a use for the rest of the case.

Auto parts store check their vacuum caps for intake manifolds, also some brake bleeder fittings have the perfect size.
example; auto zone
http://www.autozone.com/ignition-tune-u ... vacuum-cap

Thanks everyone for the replies. I just ordered some of the bolt covers. It looks like they will fill the bill. As usual this forum came through with flying colors. I didn't know such an item existed.

For a short-term (or dirt cheap long term) solution, use caps from "Sharpie" markers.

I cap my 1/4" air tool fittings with them to keep shop grit out of them, and there's room to spare, so they may well fit your 5/16" fittings.

Steve S

I got lucky..a friend came over and his radiator sprubg a leak. So we got a new one and it had plastic caps in the transmission cooler fittings. These are ambi-gender so they work on both machine-regulator female and hose male. Red too so I haven't lost them. Price was a bit steep as I didmost of the work.