Printable Version | Subscribe | Add to Favourites
New Topic New Poll New Reply
Author: Subject: Plasma Cutter Problem
liam.mccaffrey

posted on 24/11/09 at 07:57 PM Reply With Quote
Plasma Cutter Problem

Plugged in the plasma tonight for the first time. Plumbed in the air, plugged her in, turned her on, lots of sparks, lots of whoosh but no cutting??

I was trying to cut some 16g sheet, it was marking the surface and did blow a small hole but I had to hold it in the same place for around 8-10 seconds.

Enough air pressure??





Build Blog
Build Photo Album

View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
Alan B

posted on 24/11/09 at 08:06 PM Reply With Quote
Was the ground (earth) connected OK?
That can make a big difference.

Alan

View User's Profile E-Mail User Visit User's Homepage View All Posts By User U2U Member
JoelP

posted on 24/11/09 at 08:07 PM Reply With Quote
unplug the plasma and check the flow of air when you pull the trigger. Should be a good gust. Dont think that will be the problem though, id expect a warning light if there wasnt enough air.






View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
big_wasa

posted on 24/11/09 at 08:10 PM Reply With Quote
Have you checked the polarity ?

Ie work piece pos torch neg on mine.

View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
Peteff

posted on 24/11/09 at 08:12 PM Reply With Quote
Try cutting from the edge of the sheet, if you hold it down on the flat it might be gobbing your nozzle.





yours, Pete

I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.

View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
liam.mccaffrey

posted on 24/11/09 at 08:28 PM Reply With Quote
It doesn't flow when the unit is switched off it must have a electrical control valve. When it on though you can feel the jet reaction when you press the button.

I'm pretty sure the ground was good its a brand new good quality clamp and it was right next to the attempted cut on clean metal. I will check again tomorrow though.

Could the polarity be wrong???? There is only one way to hook up the cables.

[Edited on 24/11/09 by liam.mccaffrey]





Build Blog
Build Photo Album

View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
rusty nuts

posted on 24/11/09 at 08:32 PM Reply With Quote
Has it got a built in regulator for the air pressure ? Is it set correctly? Have you got a decent air supply? Is the nozzle in good condition? Have you got any instructions? If so have you read them? As you ask enough air pressure ? Their good when they work
View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
StrikerChris

posted on 24/11/09 at 08:48 PM Reply With Quote
in fear of sucking eggs and old dogs jumping to mind,if its a scratch torch were you holding it to the job,not hovering above as you would with a burning torch?
View User's Profile E-Mail User Visit User's Homepage View All Posts By User U2U Member
liam.mccaffrey

posted on 24/11/09 at 08:58 PM Reply With Quote
its a hf start and i tried both I will check all the connections and the air supply pressure tomorrow





Build Blog
Build Photo Album

View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
mad4x4

posted on 24/11/09 at 09:21 PM Reply With Quote
The tip inside the torch is shot unscrew the ceramic bit and then you will see a bit like

----||---- if it looks like ----||- then it is knackerd





Scot's do it better in Kilts.

MK INDY's Don't Self Centre Regardless of MK Setting !

View User's Profile Visit User's Homepage View All Posts By User U2U Member
liam.mccaffrey

posted on 24/11/09 at 11:20 PM Reply With Quote
ill check but its a brand new tip, torch and machine
View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
baz-R

posted on 27/11/09 at 12:44 AM Reply With Quote
could be that the inner eletrode in the torch is sticking
most of the smaller or older sets have a type where it is lifted off a seat by air pressure starting up striking your start arc.
take off your nozzle and try to push it in/out
a small bit of dust/grit make them stick

to much air maybe or a shot nozle,eletrode if not

if your set has mesh cut its hf and is not like this
trust me i used to sell plasmas tigs and welding supplys

View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
aitch

posted on 7/12/09 at 11:33 PM Reply With Quote
sounds like dodgy ground to me

i.e. to the work piece

sounds exactly like what i get when i forget to conect the ground clip

but its brand new just take it back and ask them to check it out

aitch

View User's Profile E-Mail User Visit User's Homepage View All Posts By User U2U Member
boggle

posted on 10/12/09 at 03:09 PM Reply With Quote
sounds like not enough air....if you havnt got a bolt of plasma then the current isnt super heating the air...my plasma set says to run at 4.4bar, but i find it wont cut at that and i have to run at 6bar....also you may have a purge button on there, press that before firing it....





just because you are a character, doesnt mean you have character....

for all your bespoke parts, ali welding, waterjet, laser, folding, turning, milling, composite work, spraying, anodising and cad drawing....

u2u me for details

PLEASE NOTE: This user is a trader who has not signed up for the LocostBuilders registration scheme. If this post is advertising a commercial product or service, please report it by clicking here.

View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member

New Topic New Poll New Reply


go to top






Website design and SEO by Studio Montage

All content © 2001-16 LocostBuilders. Reproduction prohibited
Opinions expressed in public posts are those of the author and do not necessarily represent
the views of other users or any member of the LocostBuilders team.
Running XMB 1.8 Partagium [© 2002 XMB Group] on Apache under CentOS Linux
Founded, built and operated by ChrisW.