Groovy Plasma Cutting

[TonyWilk]

Hi,

Was trying to cut up some 6mm thick 80mm angle today (adjusting the size of a HUGE metal bench)...

Got bored with the grinder after the first cut and dragged out my cheapy plasma cutter.

Melted and set fire to the plasma tip/shroud after another 2 cuts , so back to the grinder with a cutting disc.

Then had an idea: I cut a 1-2mm deep groove with the grinder and tried the plasma (with new bits) again... worked really well

With the plasma tip being a contact type and asking it to work hard on 6mm steel, the tip gets spattered and ends up knackered pretty quick - with a groove to cut into (which is only 2-3mm wide) it seems to prolong the life of the tip enormously and cuts quicker.

I made a further seven cuts with the groovy method and the tip's still in fine fettle

Yours,
Tony Wilk

 

[Turbo si]

any pics of the cuts???

 

[TonyWilk]

Hi,

Here's a pic trying to show the difference grooving makes
The little red arrows indicate the grooves.

It did cut quicker and cleaner - you also have a good guide to follow, but I'd say the biggest single advantage is not trashing the plasma tip. (Doh! should've taken a pic of the tips.)

Yours,
Tony Wilk

 

[steve nunn]

Ive got a cheap Italian plasma and I love it. Its one of the ones that has a 12mm cut. And it will do 12mm, but you have to go slow, but its still quicker and easier than a grinder or saw.

Wouldnt be without it. The cuts may not be very clean, but they are clean enough for me, a quick once over with the grinder on the back side and its done, so easy.

Ive had it about 2 years and its never given me any problems at all, does exactely what it says on the tin lol.

Would it have been better to spend the extra on a hypertherm or equivalent, prob not. For the price thay are now I think they are very good value and great bits of kit.

Never had to groove the metal, just lay the torch at an angle to the metal and let it burn through in its own time before rotating the torch vertical, only takes a second or so to do that and dont rush it.

Steve

 

[TonyWilk]

...
Would it have been better to spend the extra...

In my case it's a (dare I say it?) Chinese TIG/Plasma combo thing which is supposed to cut 10mm (40A).

It's certainly not that good, probably more like 5mm is a workable limit.

As the plasma function was really an 'extra' with the welder, I'll put up with it - but if I'd bought a stand-alone plasma cutter with this lack of performance I'd be wishing I'd spent more on a better bit of kit.

Yours,
Tony Wilk

 

[Wozzaaah]

What one have you got Steve? I have a Sureweld Plasma 41 which is italian (Telwin). Nice little machine, I'm quite impressed with it.

 

[steve nunn]

Thinks thats prob the one Ive got (under a slightly diff name), a Telwin Technica Inverter Palsma 41, -which is what is written on the side. I thinks its a belting little machine.

Certainly do 1/2 inch if you take your time (and its not that slow), but tends to drag the cut if you go too fast, but i suspect they all do that Sir, lol.

Im impressed with it, makes life sooooo easy. But Im easily pleased anyway lol.

Tony
Wouldnt worry about it being chinese, if it suits your needs then I dont see a great deal wrong with it. The only issue is when (or if) they fail for spares ect. But at the price of some of the kit, if they break (and you can put up with the inconvenience) go and get another. Or save up and buy best quality and know that it will prob last a lifetime and you should be able to get spares for it no problem.

Just dont expect professional performance or longevity out of the cheaper stuff.

steve

 

[Wozzaaah]

I'm pretty sure yours is the older version of mine Steve. Yours actually has a better duty cycle and a higher rated torch than mine, they changed the model just before I bought it. Weldequip sells the consumables if you ever need any.

 

[steve nunn]

Thats good to know about the spares, I bought a few last year cos I struggled to find anywhere that had the spares (then I thought, damn should have gone for a better make lol) and I eventually found a large welding wherehouse (cant remember which one though) that sold a different named one but it was the same machine, and bought a few off them.

Ill be honest, Ive never hit the duty cycle (or noticed it) Most of my stuff is 6mm or thinner and I tend to just leave the machine on its max setting all the time unless I feel guilty about the power usage lol - prob doesnt do the machine any good either.

The most Ive cut in half inch is prob about 12 inches or so in one go, did it ok with me and Ive not melted anythng on the otrch, but I have gone through a few tips - but even they seem to last for ages before the middle bit seems to wear away into a concave type dome on the end.

Thanks for that.

steve

 

[TonyWilk]

...Wouldnt worry about it being chinese, if it suits your needs then I dont see a great deal wrong with it. The only issue is when (or if) they fail for spares ect. But at the price of some of the kit, if they break (and you can put up with the inconvenience) go and get another. ...

Yeh, it's really handy on thinner stuff (~3mm) and I knew I was pushing it a bit on that thick angle.

When it does go pop, I'll have to get a decent one: having used a plasma cutter now, I just couldn't live without one

Yours,
Tony Wilk