I have just set up my plasma cutter for the first time.

Its from the group buy 3 years ago, is that a record

It says in the book that I have to ground it through the threaded pin in the back of the unit. Is this required? Where do I ground it to?

Cheers

No idea what type it is, but I bought a cheapy chinese one off EGay.

I have never earthed the back, I just wired up a plug as normal, connected all the leads to their respective terminals, put earth clamp on workpiece, connected compressor and hey presto.

They are great, but watch the sparks!!

And wear some eye protection (I use an old auto darkening mask, with the sensor covered up - gives a grade 5 which is pretty good)

Sean

do you mean the calvinX tig vintage machine? Ie not a full time plasma? May explain why they need fiddling with to use as a plasma.