New plasma cutter

[reb78]

Hi all,

I have just purchased a cut 40 plasma cutter - same as featured in this thread:

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=8898

I read that the 2.5/5 switch on the front of the unit determines the time the air continues for after stopping cutting. What is the correct way to use this - is 5 sec best if the compressor handles it fine? Why would you use the 2.5 sec setting?

 

[Dusty]

if cutting thin stuff (up to 4/5mm) 2.5 is fine but if cuts are slow sticky or thicker material best to use the 5 setting, it helps to cool the tip and ceramic parts...
Overheating these is the main cause of failiure.....best to buy the biggest selection of spares you can find on eblag, shopriver comes to mind, get a set that includes a good number of the ceramic shroud's

Happy cutting, (fellow cut 40 owner, favorite cutting tool!)
Dusty

 

[reb78]

Thanks for that. I guess it will do it no harm to leave it on 5secs all the time? The compressor is plenty big enough that that wont affect it.

I used the cutter for the first time yesterday (got it a while ago, but had to get the compressor etc) - all i can say is wow! How easy was it to cut strips off of 4mm steel?? - very easy - like a knife through butter! No more noisy, sparky angle grinders for me! The plasma cutter was a cheap ebay one, but its only for occasional use, so hopefully it'll do me fine.

Not quite the right section for this question, but it is kinda related....with the compressor, am i ok to leave it pressurised so it doesnt have to pump all the way back up next time i use it, or am i best to empty the pressure at the end of each use?

 

[chunkolini]

I always leave my compressor pressurised and have done for about 8 years.
Remember to turn the compressor off at the mains though. if there is a very slow leakage in the system the damn thing will start running at three in the morning and **** the neighbours off mightily.

Chunko'.

 

[gavuk]

I agree with Chunko,i always leave pressure in ,and have been sent to the garage a few times at silly o'clock when i've forgotten to turn off the socket

 

[Wozzaaah]

I always leave my compressor pressurised and have done for about 8 years.
Remember to turn the compressor off at the mains though. if there is a very slow leakage in the system the damn thing will start running at three in the morning and **** the neighbours off mightily.

Chunko'.

Yes, or if an airline bursts and you haven't shut the valve off then it fires up and runs continuously for several hours before you wonder what the hell the noise is and rush into the garage to find a rather hot compressor amid an oily, smoky fog!

 

[Dusty]

I'll say Turn off the compressor, been kickeer out of bed 2 or 3 times to Shut That Flippin noise oFF !!!!!!! does NOT IMPress wife/neighbours at 3am.....LOL.

Don't need to drain every time, but once a week or so helps. Definately off when going away for more than a day or two....

 

[Dusty]

Before I forget, KEEP AIRLINE AWAY FROM CUTTING SPARKS, or you'll have no hose left.......