Hello all,
I have just joined after reading a few threads on the Lidl plasma cutters. Firstly, a bit of background. I taught myself rudimentary welding skills (with a Lidl stick welder!) as we have a smallholding and there is always need to fix gates etc. My welding expert old mate did warn me "not to do anything which requires structural integrity" and I have done ok so far.
As I was getting through lots of cutting disks, I jumped at the chance of buying a cheap plasma cutter but did not realise at first how much compressors cost! The aforementioned mate gave me an old one and after a new regulator it is working well.
The original cutter (PPS 30 B2) has the damn clever pilot thing and I was quite pleased with its performance. However, a couple of weeks ago I had to cut up some old shed gates and the machine just stopped producing an arc. The air was still coming out and the mains switch was illuminated.
Fair play to Lidl they directed my query to their German supplier and they immediately sent out a new "hose". This looked the same as the original but I tried it. Still nothing.
Now they have sent me a complete new unit except it is the PPS 40 B3 version with an "industrial plug" - like the type used to plug a caravan into the site's supply. My plan was to remove the plug and replace it with a standard UK 13A domestic plug. However, when I dismantled their plug I noticed that the polarity of the lead looks wrong. I attach a photo. I pointed this out and the supplier said that any attempt to open the unit or replace the lead would void the warranty. I am tempted to buy a converter as the polarity may not be important.
If anyone has any ideas I would be grateful to hear them!
As someone who did not like woodwork or metalwork in school, I have come to really enjoy welding! I must admit though that it put the wind up me the first time I tried it.
I shall look at the videos posted here to improve my welding and cutting. I have attached another image to show that I still have a lot to learn. Not very pretty but it does work.
I have just joined after reading a few threads on the Lidl plasma cutters. Firstly, a bit of background. I taught myself rudimentary welding skills (with a Lidl stick welder!) as we have a smallholding and there is always need to fix gates etc. My welding expert old mate did warn me "not to do anything which requires structural integrity" and I have done ok so far.
As I was getting through lots of cutting disks, I jumped at the chance of buying a cheap plasma cutter but did not realise at first how much compressors cost! The aforementioned mate gave me an old one and after a new regulator it is working well.
The original cutter (PPS 30 B2) has the damn clever pilot thing and I was quite pleased with its performance. However, a couple of weeks ago I had to cut up some old shed gates and the machine just stopped producing an arc. The air was still coming out and the mains switch was illuminated.
Fair play to Lidl they directed my query to their German supplier and they immediately sent out a new "hose". This looked the same as the original but I tried it. Still nothing.
Now they have sent me a complete new unit except it is the PPS 40 B3 version with an "industrial plug" - like the type used to plug a caravan into the site's supply. My plan was to remove the plug and replace it with a standard UK 13A domestic plug. However, when I dismantled their plug I noticed that the polarity of the lead looks wrong. I attach a photo. I pointed this out and the supplier said that any attempt to open the unit or replace the lead would void the warranty. I am tempted to buy a converter as the polarity may not be important.
If anyone has any ideas I would be grateful to hear them!
As someone who did not like woodwork or metalwork in school, I have come to really enjoy welding! I must admit though that it put the wind up me the first time I tried it.
I shall look at the videos posted here to improve my welding and cutting. I have attached another image to show that I still have a lot to learn. Not very pretty but it does work.