Lidl Plasmas Coming Soon!

[Gragson]

This hasn't then got a pilot arc I'm thinking?

Ah, now I see the torch better, no it does not come with a pilot arc torch. Same as the original I got



Obviously must be earthed.

This is a parkside pilot arc torch, note the fly lead to + to return



So you can add return clamp lead



But will arc happily without - nice juicy arc in mid air - no return clamp as in via fly lead from torch.



Sorry if I misled anyone, the machine itself is obviously capable of pilot arc with the right torch, why the don't include from the start I have no idea....

 

[Onoff]

So I can add pilot arc to this existing torch with a bit of extra wire?

 

[Gragson]

You will need to look into it, posted up some pics of torch internals for someone who was looking into it, @Onthespotwelding maybe? Can't remember
Pilot arc torches are available on ebay but not sure of compatibility

 

[Gragson]

This is the charlie from parkside, Germany online https://www.lidl.de/p/parkside-schl...ung-pspp-5-a1-fuer-plasmaschneider/p100360268
It's much longer than the issued one as well.I got mine sent to a work mate in Berlin and he sent it on to me.

It is annoying that their online service is not available in England, they have about 800 tool items available from the performance and non performance range, I want a few more of these torches which are excllent https://www.lidl.de/p/parkside-20-v...-20-li-b1-ohne-akku-und-ladegeraet/p100350952 and consumables and never find them again here - it's the continuity of availability thats pants

 

[Onoff]

I asked a German guy I know on another forum if there was an easy way of getting a pilot arc torch shipped from Germany. He didn't know

 

[Kram]

Whats the advantage?

What about these

Pardon our interruption...

I have no idea what consumables we need for this PPSK 40 B2 or if there is a better type of torch.

 

[Pete.]

Whats the advantage?

Pilot arc you don't need a constant electrical parth to the workpiece to maintain the plasma jet. If you have rusty/painted metal the pilot arc will keep going where the non-pilot might keep stopping.

I've also used the pilot to clean material off the workpiece but its very hard on consumables.

 

[JOEPRO]

I use pilot arc stahlwerk plasma on car restorations. The steel is painted or rusted so its essential. I can actually blast through seem sealed joints etc with it though it takes a while it still works and avoids the need to grind that out first.

 

[Onoff]

I have no idea what consumables we need for this PPSK 40 B2 or if there is a better type of torch.

In the eBay search bar type "for parkside plasma cutter".

Loads of 40 piece consumable sets come up, cheap too, Like £11 'ish.

No luck in finding a pilot arc torch, easily available over here yet, that clearly states compatibility

 

[Kram]

Im guessing much like tig, the pilot arc torches all work the same way? The one I linked, looks like it just needs a couple of extra dinse sockets for the earth connection?

 

[voipio]

Whats the advantage?

What about these

Pardon our interruption...

I have no idea what consumables we need for this PPSK 40 B2 or if there is a better type of torch.

Could be wrong, but that doesn't look like a pilot arc cutting torch. There needs to be another connection, to go to the "earth" teminal.

 

[voipio]

The Parkside plasma cutter has some form of HF or high voltage spark start built in, else the arc wouldn't ignite in the gap between the copper centre electrode and the annular copper tip. When a pilot arce type cutting torch is used, the arc ignites at the current set on the front panel without the need for the annular tip to make contact the earthed workpiece, and the hot plasma exits through the hole in the annular electrode. The workpiece doesn't even need to be earthed when using a pilot arc type torch.

 

[JOEPRO]

The Parkside plasma cutter has some form of HF or high voltage spark start built in, else the arc wouldn't ignite in the gap between the copper centre electrode and the annular copper tip. When a pilot arce type cutting torch is used, the arc ignites at the current set on the front panel without the need for the annular tip to make contact the earthed workpiece, and the hot plasma exits through the hole in the annular electrode. The workpiece doesn't even need to be earthed when using a pilot arc type torch.

I think the workpiece does still need to earthed when using pilot arc plasma cutters.

Yes it will very slowly and crudely cut without the earth but you really should use the earth lead at all times. The pilot arc just helps it get started off on rusted or painted metal that's it. It's not meant to be a standalone gas axe of sorts.

 

[voipio]

It seems to cut OK on what looks like a wooden bench, without any "earth" connection to the workpiece:

 

[PhillipM]

Surely the other end of that steel has the earth clamp on it?

 

[Onoff]

It seems to cut OK on what looks like a wooden bench, without any "earth" connection to the workpiece:

So that's the add on PSPP 5 A1 pilot arc torch that doesn't come as standard?

 

[Seadog]

Surely the other end of that steel has the earth clamp on it?

Why? You have jet of plasma from the torch. Why does it need grounding. It's at 20,000°C.

 

[Gragson]

So that's the add on PSPP 5 A1 pilot arc torch that doesn't come as standard?

Yes

Why? You have jet of plasma from the torch. Why does it need grounding. It's at 20,000°C.

That's my thoughts, I will give it a go back to back

 

[voipio]

The PSPP 5 A1 is a pilot arc conversion kit, and not standard issue with the Parkside PPSK 40 B2 plasma cutter.

 

[JOEPRO]

Why? You have jet of plasma from the torch. Why does it need grounding. It's at 20,000°C.

The circuit in the torch is there to generate the pilot arc. Without the work clamp on the workpiece the arc will not transfer to the work and you won't get full cutting current. Also, while the pilot arc is on it is consuming the electrode and cup since the arc is jumping between the two. You should transfer the arc to the workpiece as quickly as possible to minimize this wear.

I have cut metal with a pilot arc cutter using the earth clamp and without it. There is a definite reduction in performance when I remove the earth clamp from the workpiece.