Another Parkside Plasma thread - sorry

[Seadog]

That was one of the first that LIDL offered.

 

[Craig-S]

So, i done a little testing this morning.

First graph, twiddler twiddled all the way in and backed off 2 full turns

Next, twiddler twiddled all the way out and in 2 full turns

not surprisingly the second was a much better cut, cleanest I have ever had on 2.5mm sheet and went much better through 3mm angle. I would also not rely on the numbers, earth clamp over mill scale etc. but the difference in performance is definitely there.

 

[GRW]

So, i done a little testing this morning.

First graph, twiddler twiddled all the way in and backed off 2 full turns

View attachment 536749


Next, twiddler twiddled all the way out and in 2 full turns

View attachment 536751

not surprisingly the second was a much better cut, cleanest I have ever had on 2.5mm sheet and went much better through 3mm angle. I would also not rely on the numbers, earth clamp over mill scale etc. but the difference in performance is definitely there.

What was the default turns from full out (assuming that's anticlockwise or not?)

 

[Craig-S]

What was the default turns from full out (assuming that's anticlockwise or not?)

I tested full out (anticlockwise) with 2 full turns in. It is indeed like a 25 turn resistor although i didnt count. The cut was much better and the graph show more amps, but im not really looking at the numbers as much as the movement of the line. I might give full out a go a bit later without the 2 turns to see if it further inproves.

 

[TEO]

I have had a good trawl through here but can't quite find the answer I'm looking for (although there are plenty implied).

Will these Parkside Plasma cutters cut through 6mm steel sheet?

I have a need to cut a rectangular hole in an equaly rectangular piece of 6mm steel plate and as far as I can tell, a plasma cutter wold be the perfect tool for the job. However, I've never needed one before and I'm unlikely to ever need one again (yes I know, famous last words!) so I'm loathe to go spending a small fortune on a decent Plasma.

I do have a good compressor and no shortage of power.

Cheers,

I know I'm flying in the face of tradition here by suggesting that you may not need a plasma cutter ---
but you may not need a plasma cutter.
If you have good access & no lumpy sort of obstructions, can you use a jigsaw? A decent machine with a good blade (maybe several good blades depending on the length of the cut) will do the job if you just go gently. By which I mean v slow.

 

[GRW]

I know I'm flying in the face of tradition here by suggesting that you may not need a plasma cutter ---
but you may not need a plasma cutter.
If you have good access & no lumpy sort of obstructions, can you use a jigsaw? A decent machine with a good blade (maybe several good blades depending on the length of the cut) will do the job if you just go gently. By which I mean v slow.

True.
But...
1. It's a tool - you don't need a valid reason
2. Cutting clean lines with a jigsaw can be a PITA.
3. Grinders work but the dust, mess etc isn't ideal either.
4. See 1.

 

[RWD3M]

I know I'm flying in the face of tradition here by suggesting that you may not need a plasma cutter ---
but you may not need a plasma cutter.
If you have good access & no lumpy sort of obstructions, can you use a jigsaw? A decent machine with a good blade (maybe several good blades depending on the length of the cut) will do the job if you just go gently. By which I mean v slow.

You do make a valid point however...

The hole I will need to cut is inside, and adjacent to, a rectangle of box section so access with a jigsaw unfortunately is not possible.

This is all welded up now and although I could do it from the other side, I wouldn't be able to see where it was cutting.

Oh, and I don't need to be told 'you should have cut the hole before you welded it up'! If I'd known I was going to continue with the prototyping, I would have done!

 

[Craig-S]

so this is with the twiddler fully out, I'm not sure I have noticed any further improvement, but its far better than factory. I even turned the meter the right way!

2.5mm sheet is a breeze and fairly quick, 3mm angle also much much better than factory. so im leaving it where it is.

 

[TEO]

You do make a valid point however...

The hole I will need to cut is inside, and adjacent to, a rectangle of box section so access with a jigsaw unfortunately is not possible.

This is all welded up now and although I could do it from the other side, I wouldn't be able to see where it was cutting.

View attachment 536761

Oh, and I don't need to be told 'you should have cut the hole before you welded it up'! If I'd known I was going to continue with the prototyping, I would have done!

Yes, I think the box section counts as lumpy stuff.
My 20:20 hindsight's been very good at suggesting other ways to do stuff too, especially when I'm already past the point of no return.
I've a Lidl plasma languishing in it's box, used once to prove it works. If Oxford's convenient then you're welcome to come & borrow it, don't expect any set up advice though, I've no experience just assumed I'll learn how once the right job presents.

 

[RWD3M]

Yes, I think the box section counts as lumpy stuff.
My 20:20 hindsight's been very good at suggesting other ways to do stuff too, especially when I'm already past the point of no return.
I've a Lidl plasma languishing in it's box, used once to prove it works. If Oxford's convenient then you're welcome to come & borrow it, don't expect any set up advice though, I've no experience just assumed I'll learn how once the right job presents.

Thanks fella, I'll bear that in mind.

 

[GRW]

so this is with the twiddler fully out, I'm not sure I have noticed any further improvement, but its far better than factory. I even turned the meter the right way!

2.5mm sheet is a breeze and fairly quick, 3mm angle also much much better than factory. so im leaving it where it is.

View attachment 536765

I may have to break into my Plasma & engage tweakage then!
(You've left it all the way anti-clockwise now, or 2-turns in?).

I've eaten through a few of the hot Cross bun tips on mine trying to learn how to use it (standing off I think and not cutting well caused blowback and tip demise.
I'll have to find some more and have a play.

(The most use it had was cutting a section of chassis rail out near a leaf spring mount on my old LDV Convoy.... nothing else would get in the awkward spot to cut - and the plasma did the trick).

 

[TEO]

Second thoughts, I'm not so sure why I was worried about your adherence to tradition; I can see the floor of your workshop that's just a blatant violation & I cede the point or points 1 & 4 to @GRW

 

[RWD3M]

Second thoughts, I'm not so sure why I was worried about your adherence to tradition; I can see the floor of your workshop that's just a blatant violation & I cede the point or points 1 & 4 to @GRW

I need to take a bit more care when crropping pictures!

 

[TEO]

I need to take a bit more care when crropping pictures!

Or fill it with more stuff

 

[RWD3M]

Or fill it with more stuff

Now you're talking!

 

[dave h 2]

You do make a valid point however...

The hole I will need to cut is inside, and adjacent to, a rectangle of box section so access with a jigsaw unfortunately is not possible.

This is all welded up now and although I could do it from the other side, I wouldn't be able to see where it was cutting.

View attachment 536761

Oh, and I don't need to be told 'you should have cut the hole before you welded it up'! If I'd known I was going to continue with the prototyping, I would have done!

You can always drill a 3mm hole in each corner then flip it over and follow some 3mm thick wood strip clamped between the holes.
I found the drag cut Parkside quite useful, if you get flashes on the top side it's not cut through at that point slow down a bit.

 

[Craig-S]

I may have to break into my Plasma & engage tweakage then!
(You've left it all the way anti-clockwise now, or 2-turns in?).

I've eaten through a few of the hot Cross bun tips on mine trying to learn how to use it (standing off I think and not cutting well caused blowback and tip demise.
I'll have to find some more and have a play.

(The most use it had was cutting a section of chassis rail out near a leaf spring mount on my old LDV Convoy.... nothing else would get in the awkward spot to cut - and the plasma did the trick).

I ended up going ALL the way out, counterclockwise

obviously you can count the turns if youre that way inclined in case you want to return to factory

 

[dave h 2]

I may have to break into my Plasma & engage tweakage then!
(You've left it all the way anti-clockwise now, or 2-turns in?).

I've eaten through a few of the hot Cross bun tips on mine trying to learn how to use it (standing off I think and not cutting well caused blowback and tip demise.
I'll have to find some more and have a play.

(The most use it had was cutting a section of chassis rail out near a leaf spring mount on my old LDV Convoy.... nothing else would get in the awkward spot to cut - and the plasma did the trick).

I'm pretty sure there's a thread on here from when these cutters launched that clearly documented which pot to tweak.
Be careful with the consumables there are two lengths and they don't mix.

 

[Craig-S]

I'm pretty sure there's a thread on here from when these cutters launched that clearly documented which pot to tweak.
Be careful with the consumables there are two lengths and they don't mix.

there are many revisions of the boards and they are all different