hanshen hp 40 plasma problem

[ukrally]

Hi Guys,
First time on ya forum, I have a Hanshen 40 plasma pilot arc type (cheapo £375 from ebay) I've only used about six times. First off worked ok then tips kept burning out. Supplier replaced complete torch assy and it worked ok for a couple of times then same problem. Max steel thickness cutting is only 3mm
It now only arcs from the side of nozzle and dances around, even with new tip and nozzle fitted. Any ideas please
cheers Mick newbie

 

[ukrally]

Hi Guys,
I forgot to mention in my first post, is it possible or likely for the white ceramic ring in the torch to be defective and conductive which makes the arc come from the side of the nozzle instead of down the centre hole. The nozzles are destroyed in seconds when I try to use it and it makes no attempt to start a cut.
I dont mind buying a better torch but I'm just a bit concerned that the fault could be inside the machine itself and I'd be throwing good money after bad as the saying goes.
I can't send the machine back because its been sat under my bench for a year unused (I only need to use it once a blue moon)
What I really need is someone to wave a magic wand over it and make it work.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated
thanks in advance Mick

 

[rog8811]

As no one else has replied yet, one newbie to another are you sure that the torch is getting air when you trigger it? I ask as I forgot to turn air on once when using mine and got the same kind of effect....

Regards rog8811

 

[ukrally]

Hi Rog,
thanks for the reply, yep its getting plenty of clean dry air. The torch is a SG 51 the same as a Cut 40/50, I was wondering if its a common fault with this torch and ought to upgrade it.
Actually I got that fed up with it I took it to a local welder repair guy but a couple of months on and its not been touched, so it looks like I'll have to fix it myself.
cheers Mick