Lidl Plasmas Coming Soon!

[cr500dom]

Do I buy one next Thursday to assist building my car rotisserie?

What a stupid question to ask on here...

I bought one of £80 ones, last time, just because Id missed out on them 1st time round.
Its still in its box and never been fired up, but its there when I need it

 

[Pete.]

I tweaked the pot on my 30a one and still use the 3 pin plug. Use it quite regularly and it's been solidly reliable.

 

[Onoff]

I tweaked the pot on my 30a one and still use the 3 pin plug. Use it quite regularly and it's been solidly reliable.

When you do it do you then measure anything to Indicate an increase in "usable" current?

 

[Pete.]

When you do it do you then measure anything to Indicate an increase in "usable" current?

Nope I used the good old trial and error method. I was getting a raggedy cut and turned it up until the cut improved then stopped.

 

[Fishyboy]

But i reckon the internal compressor one offered in UK could have been a bit different/better, It was sold under their "Performance" range probably why the £150 mark back then. No idea where they went with that range.
Glad I got it even at 150, I'm really happy with it, works well on HF or pilot arc torches.

Hi Gragson,
I've got the Parkside PPSK40A1 and have been looking in to a pliot arc torch that would plug and play with that machine. Do you know the make and model Pilot Arc torch works with that machine?
Phil

 

[Gragson]

Hi @Fishyboy
I got the Parkside one from Germany via a mate which was sold separately as an option. I've just had a look and they don't have any now or coming up next week. Neither on their Parkside on line option - https://www.lidl.de/c/garten-ab-27-02/a10017904?channel=online&tabCode=Only_Online

There are posts in this thread on how you could potentially make one, I think @Turbo and others have posted on that.

Thing is, now that they are doing a UK version with pilot arc torch, I would guess they are holding them as service items - or to be released also in future?

Sorry I can't help more on a straight source plug and play - I could ask my mate in Germany to put in a Lidl enquiry if Parkside are looking to sell them separately in the near - my German is not that good - calling @25.4_mechanic also in case he could enquire?

 

[25.4_mechanic]

calling @25.4_mechanic also in case he could enquire?

... what can I do for you, mate, what's the question?

Carsten

--

EDIT:

Is this it?


PARKSIDE® Plasma cutter "PPS 40 B3", 4-4,5 bar

Cutting current: 15-40 A
Material thickness: up to 12 mm

✓ No grinding of the interface necessary
✓ With 3 interchangeable torch attachments
✓ For precise and clean cut-offs

€ 165.00


PARKSIDE® Plasma cutter "PPS 40 B3", 4-4.5 bar


Features

- Robust and powerful compact unit
- Electronically controlled, smooth and even plasma jet
- For precise and clean cuts up to 12 mm material thickness
- Suitable for cutting sheet steel, stainless steel, aluminium, copper and iron
- Infinitely adjustable cutting current (15 to 40 A)
- High-quality cutting torch with plastic handle
- Non-contact cutting due to pilot ignition - reduces wear of the torch nozzle
- No grinding of the interface necessary
- 2.5 m cutting cable with replaceable torch attachments
- Earth cable (2 m) with strong clamp
- 2 m compressed air hose with quick-connect system ("QuickConnect")
- Compatible with commercially available compressors (e.g. PARKSIDE PKO 500 A1)
- Rear compressed air connection incl. pressure gauge and pressure reducer
- Overload protection by thermal cut-out with indicator light
- Housing made of painted sheet steel with ergonomic carrying handle


Included accessories: 3 torch covers (1 pre-assembled), 3 electrodes (1 pre-assembled), compressed air hose with quick-connect system ("Quick-Connect"), spacer (pre-assembled), 1 earthing cable


Technical data

Cutting current: 15-40 A
Cutting capacity: copper 1-4 mm / stainless steel 1-8 mm / aluminium 1-8 mm / iron 1-10 mm / sheet steel 1-12 mm
Working pressure: 4-4.5 bar
Rated voltage: 230 V / 50 Hz
Mains cable length: approx. 2 m


Material Steel
Dimensions approx. 341 x 116 x 237 mm
Weight approx. 4.4 kg

 

[hotponyshoes]

If the pilot arc torch is now available with the machine in the uk then might be worth enquiries to lidl about buying one as a spare part.

If they can't supply it I'd think twice about lidl kit. Appreciate that it's a cheap machine with a 3yr warranty but if you drive over the torch on the day of purchase and can't get a replacement it's not much good!

 

[Gragson]

what can I do for you, mate, what's the question?

.. what can I do for you, mate, what's the question?

Yo Carsten, is it possible to ask Lidl or Parkside if they have plans to offer the pilot arc torch as a separate item for sale as they used to do in Germany? cheers Chris

 

[25.4_mechanic]

Yo Carsten, is it possible to ask Lidl or Parkside if they have plans to offer the pilot arc torch as a separate item for sale as they used to do in Germany?

Help me here, Chris, are you saying the torch alone is available in GER?

I couldn't find it as a product in their online shop ...
(we're no regulars in Lidl shops, we don't like it there and we can't get products we like ...)

As for their plans for the UK-market:
I think that they are completely independent companies and I am unsure whether this knowledge is available here at all.

I know someone whose daughter studied at Lidl&Schwarz AG and is probably still working there - let's see if anything comes of it ...

... not much hope ...

Carsten

 

[Gragson]

@25.4_mechanic Hi Carsten, Thanks for looking, as Lee says above, they may well start selling the pilot arc torch separately in UK now they are selling the plasma unit with pilot arc.

They did sell them separately in Germany at least, 5 meters and quite nice for just 30euro, but does not look like an option now.

I know what you mean about Lidl, food wise I was surprised what little options they had to the few I went to in Germany and Austria, lots of bulk stuff but not proper food shopping, they are a bit better here but still a bit strange compared to the big general super markets. Cheers Chris

 

[DAPPH]

Brexit ?

The 16 amp plugged 40 amp cutting with internal compressor and decent torch are our standard form it seems , the EU one appears to be a considerably lesser beast .

I tweaked the pot on my 30a one and still use the 3 pin plug. Use it quite regularly and it's been solidly reliable.

On the 16 amp plugged version I've got , I slipped in into my caravan converter short adaptor lead , running off a 13 amp fuse on a 27 amp ring circuit . It cuts beautifully but I did have to increase the air pressure to 30

 

[DAPPH]

Go back through the thread and IIRC there is a post by me with the LIDL contact details on it .

 

[Onoff]

The 16 amp plugged 40 amp cutting with internal compressor and decent torch are our standard form it seems , the EU one appears to be a considerably lesser beast .

Think I'll give it a miss this time as no internal compressor.

 

[25.4_mechanic]

The 16 amp plugged 40 amp cutting with internal compressor and decent torch are our standard form it seems , the EU one appears to be a considerably lesser beast .

Think I'll give it a miss this time as no internal compressor.

That one is also on offer - whether this is a sign that it will soon be available in your shops too ... I don't know ...


PARKSIDE PERFORMANCE® plasma cutter with integrated compressor "PPSK 40 A1

Working pressure: 4-4,5 bar
Rated voltage: 230 V / 50 Hz
Cutting current: 15-40 A

✓ With integrated compressor
✓ Also ideal for mobile use
✓ Infinitely adjustable cutting current
Delivery: Available for immediate delivery! In 3 working days with you, 90 days free return shipping

€ 219.00

PARKSIDE PERFORMANCE Plasma Cutter with Integrated Compressor "PPSK 40 A1

Features

With integrated compressor - external compressed air supply not required
Completely pre-assembled and ready for immediate use
Ideal for mobile use - compact design and low weight
Electronically controlled, smooth and even plasma jet
For precise and clean cuts up to 12 mm material thickness
Suitable for cutting steel, iron, stainless steel, aluminium and copper
Infinitely adjustable cutting current (15 to 40 A)
High-quality 2.5 m cutting cable with replaceable torch attachments and removable roller guide
Earth cable (2 m) with strong clamp
0.5 m compressed-air hose with quick-connect system ("Quick-Connect")
Active electric fan cooling
Overload protection by thermal cut-out with control lamp
Painted sheet steel housing with ergonomic carrying handle
Additional compressed air inlet for alternative compressed air supply via external compressor

Accessories included: 2 burner caps (1 pre-assembled), 2 electrodes (1 pre-assembled), 1 roller guide, compressed-air hose with quick-connect system ("Quick-Connect")

Technical data
Cutting method: Plasma jet, electronically controlled
Cutting current: 15-40 A
Max. Cutting capacity: steel 12 mm / iron 10 mm / stainless steel 8 mm / aluminium 8 mm / copper 4 mm
Compressed air supply: via integrated compressor
Working pressure: 4-4.5 bar
Rated voltage: 230 V / 50 Hz

Material: Sheet steel
Dimensions: approx. 341 x 223 x 244 mm
Weight: approx.11 kg
Electromagnetic compatibility: Class A

 

[GRW]

Dumb questions time (it'll become obvious I know very little about plasma cutters).

1. Pilot Arc. This is a good feature & means you can light the arc flame without needing it to touch/scratch it on the metal you want to cut, yes?

2. If the torch can be lit without contact & in free air - does this mean that you could use it to say heat up seized nuts to free them (like you would with oxy or MAPP gas)?

3. If you have a compressor (I have 2, one being a portable 100L belt-drive), then the lack of an on-board air compressor doesn't create any problems or significant negatives?

4. Can you use a PC to cut out corroded metal on the vehicle realistically & practically, & without torching the thing?

Ta muchly.

G.

 

[hotponyshoes]

Dumb questions time (it'll become obvious I know very little about plasma cutters).

1. Pilot Arc. This is a good feature & means you can light the arc flame without needing it to touch/scratch it on the metal you want to cut, yes?

2. If the torch can be lit without contact & in free air - does this mean that you could use it to say heat up seized nuts to free them (like you would with oxy or MAPP gas)?

3. If you have a compressor (I have 2, one being a portable 100L belt-drive), then the lack of an on-board air compressor doesn't create any problems or significant negatives?

4. Can you use a PC to cut out corroded metal on the vehicle realistically & practically, & without torching the thing?

Ta muchly.

G.

1. Yes, main benifit is you can cut through painted metal, also good for weldmesh etc.

2. No, the flame is still the same intensity so will just cut the nut/bolt up rather than heat it. Look at an induction heater for that..

3. No. Inbuilt compressor makes the unit easier to move, quicker to set up but probably comes with a decrease in proformance? It's generally reccomended to use clean dry air for a plasma so you might want to account for that in the budget but I can't imagine the lidl in-built version has much in the way of air drying in it?

4. Yes, much safer than a gas torch, main risk is burning through one panel into another behind. If you had 2 cars and wanted to transplant a panel from one to another the plasma might not be the best/only tool to use on both but for quickly removing a panel from a donor car you can just whip around it oversize with the plasma then put it on the bench to trim/tidy it up using more controlled methods.

 

[GRW]

1. Yes, main benifit is you can cut through painted metal, also good for weldmesh etc.

2. No, the flame is still the same intensity so will just cut the nut/bolt up rather than heat it. Look at an induction heater for that..

3. No. Inbuilt compressor makes the unit easier to move, quicker to set up but probably comes with a decrease in proformance? It's generally reccomended to use clean dry air for a plasma so you might want to account for that in the budget but I can't imagine the lidl in-built version has much in the way of air drying in it?

4. Yes, much safer than a gas torch, main risk is burning through one panel into another behind. If you had 2 cars and wanted to transplant a panel from one to another the plasma might not be the best/only tool to use on both but for quickly removing a panel from a donor car you can just whip around it oversize with the plasma then put it on the bench to trim/tidy it up using more controlled methods.

Thank you! I've been awkwardly cutting/grinding (4.5" grinder discs & a Die Grinder)a section if chassis rail out from my old Convoy underneath as its Swiss cheese.... & was thinking maybe it'd have been a lot easier with a plasma to just whoosh it out.

Dunno anything about air-drying or what you'd need to fit, but noted there is a water separator on the Regulator fitted to the back of the Parkside PC.

Think I might be cutting and lifting up a largeish section of the flat floor too (tin weevil plus access to weld chassis repair from above instead of all under the van)... thinking a plasma might be overkill for that task though, plus would need to make sure nowhere near fuel lines, electrical wiring, brake lines etc.

 

[hotponyshoes]

Using a plasma on a car is much like using a grinder. With a grinder you have to make sure the trail of sparks are not going towards a full line or something. Same with a plasma except most of the sparks go forward rather than backwards.
Probably better for cutting out a section of chassis rail as most of the sparks will go inside the rail.
Problem with plasma is, its easy to get a nice stright line using a guide on a workbench. If you have good access all round a chassis rail you can follow a chalk line or tack some bits of flat bar onto the offcut side as a guide. Most times on cars it's a fight to find enough space to get in there. A plasma is good for that as the torch is smaller than a grinder and the cutting speed is so quick you can just roughly cut out multiple sections until you get close then finish up the edges when you have room to get the grinder in the newly cut gap.

 

[hotponyshoes]

Regarding my previous answer to #2...
That may not be quite right...

I've previously used the plasma to burn off siezed nuts/bolts. Either when heat has failed to shift them or there are a few to do and look like burning them off will be easier.
I've never actually tried heating one with a plasma.

First thing, I previously had a big 3ph plasma with pilot arc. From memory the pilot arc would only run for maybe 3 seconds and then it would all stop automatically if you had not started cutting.
I don't know if they all behave like this?

If not, I think, with the pilot arc running, once the 'flame' contacts the bolt it will just switch to cutting mode anyway.

Possibly you could just turn the power down so it's not enough to start cutting but I think the flame is so narrow even at low power you'll just get a small line cut into the bolt.
Different size tips are available, maybe you could increase the tip size?
I'd think if it was viable they would sell special heating consumables and I don't recall ever seeing any.
Or, maybe if you just cut a series of lines into the bolt head enough heat might transfer into the bolt but I'm not convinced it's going to work.
There is a lot of air blowing out of the torch and that seems to cool the part down.
If you were cutting 5mm sheet it's probably cooler after cutting with a plasma than it would be if you cut it with an angle grinder.
Probably because the plasma is so much quicker there is not so much time for heat soak.