Please Help A Plasma Virgin

[Biggles]

Evening all.

I got a Plasma cutter today. I am an experienced welder but never had a plasma before.

What are the top tips I need to know please?

In the kit there are some spare tips. Some are longer than others i.e. they stick out of the nozzle about 5mm more. Why?

Eye protection? I used my auto welding mask but could not really see what was going on. I had it set on 9 but it still seemed to dark.

Spring spacers I have seen mentioned. What are they?

Biggles

 

[shenion]

Longer tips/electrodes are either gouging tips (have tapered ends) or are easier to follow templates. I use the long ones on mine ans the short ones can not be use with a guide template (less than 1/8" from shroud to work on short.)

I use my auto mask with tape over the sensors (not the solar cell.)

 

[Biggles]

Longer tips/electrodes are either gouging tips (have tapered ends) or are easier to follow templates. I use the long ones on mine ans the short ones can not be use with a guide template (less than 1/8" from shroud to work on short.)

I use my auto mask with tape over the sensors (not the solar cell.)

Great idea about the tape. My mask is 4 or 5 I think. Is that safe?

So the short tips are general use and the long ones for following a template?

Biggles

 

[Biggles]

I now have a sig. I hope. Test.

 

[shenion]

The masks are safe as they always block IR/UV even when off.

My auto mask is 4 and I find it fine for my 25A plasma.

As, I said, if the long tips have a tapered end, they are for gouging.

 

[chunkolini]

Re masks. I just wear a clear face shield, I find the arc is behind the tip and have never had a problem doing it like this. Always wear some kind of eye protection, I have a tiny scar on my lower eyelid from a high velocity spark. Could have been very nasty. Dummy (I was being).

Try doing this, print an image off that you want to cut out of sheet metal, spray mount it onot the material and cut around the lines.

Plasma cutters are fantastic things, just watch out as everybody will want this and that cutting out and then want to have a go with and knacker all of your tips.

Good luck, Chunko'.

 

[Biggles]

Chunko

I looked at you web site. Very nice work :-) I have no artistic ability at all although I could copy someone else's work, but that's not art.

I like the Mr C cutouts, but one question......... doesn't the paper burn up?

Something I leaned a long time ago is NOT to lend out tools that have a plug on them. If they are gonna go wrong that will be the time, and its no fun for either the lender or borrower. Thats what hire shops are for!

Biggles

 

[chunkolini]

Hi BigglesThe paper does burn up but it seems that being stuck to the metal it only burns along the line you are cutting. I was told about this ad thought 'Oh sure' then I had a go at Mr C' and was stunned by the result.
It can be great for making house name signs and stuff like that.

Just watch out as well for cutting up all the metal you have around the plave and making nice curly shapes out of it, I had a whole heap of those when I bought mine.

Always buy new nozzles and electrodes before you run out, they be a swine to get hold of.

Now explain to me why the nozzle does not vapourise instantly.

Chunko'.

 

[Biggles]

Now explain to me why the nozzle does not vapourise instantly.

Chunko'.

I wondered that too, got to have something to do with stuff I reckon.

I will try the paper thing some time and post the results.

I suppose I can cut my boat name letters as well using that method. I will have a play.

Biggles

 

[runnach]

Longer tips are normally contact tips, where you can make contact with material being cut, short/normal tips I imagine you use some kind of cage device around nozzle head, cage keeps shorter tip a certain distance from material being cut. This is how it works with machine I have.

Good work you are doing putting boat together!

Cheers......