bit the bullet and bought an R tech plasma

[FranV8]

Hey guys, you might be able to get a drag tip for your torches - it tends to be cylindricalwwitha raised outer edge that is castellated 90 degrees apart. My plasma came with them, no problem keeping it in contact with the work.

 

[Shedendman]

Hey guys, you might be able to get a drag tip for your torches - it tends to be cylindricalwwitha raised outer edge that is castellated 90 degrees apart. My plasma came with them, no problem keeping it in contact with the work.

Piccy please,me wanna see yours

 

[chunkolini]

This is my Rtech torch post modification.

I twice had the clumsy paddle switch catch on overalls and activate the torch. Potentially very nasty.I was wondering about shortening the switch, then I dropped it and the switch snapped off.
Cue Chunko going daft, then I thought 'it might work' so I had a go, much better, a positive click. ten times better and much safer.
There is about a 3mm projection in front of the pivot on the switch.

When it broke I did get onto Rtech and to their credit they did pp a new switch straight in the the post. it now lives n my tool box.

 

[wheresmejumper]

another thing ive done to my switch(same as chunko^^) is shim the switch,so there is not a huge throw before it engages,more instant
not needed when lever is cut back to the handle so much though

 

[chunkolini]

I think the original switch is a real health hazard, easy to catch it on something eg when putting the torch down and give yourself a nasty zap.
I have people doing my courses using the plasma cutter and was really worried about this one. Breaking accidently was a genuine lucky break.

 

[brewdexta]

Anybody used the circle cutting kit? I've just about got an excuse for buying the R-tech P40. I'm building a cattle grid. My current plan is to cut holes along the length of the web with the plasma the same diameter as the tubes for the grid then cut the ibeam along the mid point of the web. Not sure if this is feasible with the circle cutter if the flanges get in the way etc.

Cheers
Andy

 

[FranV8]

Piccy please,me wanna see yours

Sorry, only just seen this question!

If you scroll down this thread o the first page, Chevy has it a good pic of the tips:

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=34436

Also, I found the circle kits looked a bit pricey, and I suspect for the I beam holes the arm would indeed foul the flange. If it were me, I think I'd drill a clearance hole in the center of where you want your hole for a small but longish bolt, then make a disk with a similar hole in the centre, and a hole into which the plasma torch would fit at the radius of the size of hole you want to finish with. The disk could probably even be made out of a piece of mdf.

Just an idea...

 

[brewdexta]

Like it Fran - I could even drill the pilot hole with my new evolution mag drill

I have been a bit of a naughty boy, if I buy the plasma I think I'll have to trawl through the workshop and sell of some stuff I don't use to redress the balance

Cheers
Andy

 

[FranV8]

No don't do that, either

1) don't tell Mrs Brewdexta
Or
2) get it and produce an ornamental piece of cut out scrap for her.

Job done...maybe!

 

[brewdexta]

I have just made her a large sewing table out of 25mm box but that was to gain browny points after working away on valentines day then having to work at the last minute on the evening that was supposed to replace valentines. One of those steel roses might go down well though

I do have an Antonion Carraro bitrac alpine tractor that should go if I can get the hydrostatic transmission working again, it worked when I laid it up 4 years ago so could just be oil levels. The one in the picture looks much better than mine though!

 

[FranV8]

I just end up getting jealous looking at your workshop and toys!

 

[brewdexta]

Sorry about that, its taken 3 house moves and 30 years to get a decent workshop, trouble is now with 2 young kids and a full time job I get very little chance to use it I'm looking at it out of the window now while the kids decide what we do today.

The tractor was brilliant when I bought it, a bit like a big diesel quad with PTO and lift arms. Trouble is that it was useless for the main purpose which was general donkey when renovating the farmhouse. Came with a rear loader, the seat and steering wheel reverse, trouble is with wheel weights and with the wheels water filled the thing still had a tendency to tip, the 3 in 1 bucket was a bt big though. Also it has grass tyres so little traction when pushing into a pile of hardcore. Was great for tooling around the field which is very steep due to the low centre of gravity.

Cheers
Andy

 

[brewdexta]

I've bit the bullet too and bought the R-tech P40HF.

Needs a 32A supply with C-type MCB. I'm guessing a 16A commando socket is still OK though?

I was thinking of using single core 4mm 6491X cable and conduit and breaking out to a couple of sockets for convenience. Only one will be in use at a time.

Cheers
Andy

 

[DrNik]

just a small review today of R-Tech customer service (nice lad on the counter). My torch head split along its length, the consumables shorted out,the 40 amps and cooked it, Was out of warranty by a couple of months, but replaced FREE OF CHARGE with new bits and came complete with consumables, cant say fairer than that i say

 

[Shox Dr]

How was it was out of warranty. You only bought it in Feb

 

[DrNik]

Torch has a 3 month warranty, so was out by 2 months, but he could see id only used it a few times

 

[candor]

How does the 40 cut nik? Just wondering what is the absolute max it will cut?