Plasma Cutter Rant

[Big Barn]

I don't know about the rest of you with plasma cutters, Miller and Hypertherm in particular, but I just hate the work/ground clamp cables they supply with small and medium sized machines! HATE!! Organized cable management is near impossible and every time you use it it takes awhile to untangle them. I know it is the same for the voltage sensing cables on wire feeders also.








Anyhow....today I finally got around to purchasing some 6AWG welding cable. A little overkill on cable size, but WAY more manageable. Should have done this sooner.
Oh BTW 6 AWG $.68 per foot. (Prob $.55 US)





Now if I can just figure out a way of upgrading my horrible torch cable easily.....

Terry

 

[firemanmike69]

I like using the old wire 44lb mig wire spools on our cart at work for wrapping the cables on. How do you like that plasma cutter was thinking of getting my self that one

 

[Big Barn]

I like using the old wire 44lb mig wire spools on our cart at work for wrapping the cables on. How do you like that plasma cutter was thinking of getting my self that one

It's nice. I already had the Miller 300 Spectrum and was looking for a Miller 875 or equivalent Hypertherm, but then I stumbled on this one from ebay. Brand new w/hard case, 20 foot torch and extra consumables...$1050 shipped.

Terry

 

[BukitCase]

Terry, at least your 625 lets you disconnect the ground cable - the PM45 has a 20 footer but it's hardwired. I made up some "universal" leads last year, but the only thing I have that uses dinse connectors is the little everlast stick/tig, so I got dinse and tweco stuff and made some short pigtails - the ground on my mm252 isn't done yet, nor is the ground for the PM45 - but when it's all done, I can use any combo of length for ground, ditto for stinger (the two stick machines, that is -)

Also, I see Miller's as proud of their replacement torches for plasma as Hypertherm is - so I bought a couple of these

Amazon.com: TechFlex Heavy Wall 1.5 inch sleeving 25ft: Home Improvement

I put one on the 30A spool gun, the other will go on the 20' plasma torch. I'll use any leftover for hydraulic hoses.

My thoughts on this are better to spend $40 now if it'll put off spending $500 for quite a while longer. (They're just as proud of new cable sets for the 30A as for plasma)

You've seen my hose hangers - although for free, wire spools should work as well. Mainly to get away from small radius hangers with the whole weight of cable on 'em.

Gotta run, got my own "rant" goin' on - cheap crap stamped mower deck. Now in process of cutting out a 7" circle of 3/16 plate with a "4-leaf clover" cut out of the center to beef up where one of the blade spindles goes - hit a small (3") limb last week and it broke one of the mounting ears out of the deck, destroyed the cast aluminum spindle housing, along with the spindle and drive pulley.

Oh well, what's life without a challenge or 12... Later... Steve

(Besides, if I look like I'm bustin' my *** enough, it'll make it easier to talk wifey into a new Dixie Chopper :laughing

 

[Stimw]

I've had my Miller 625 for over 10 years and I love it!
I cut a lot of 3/8" and 1/2" bolts that have mortar on them and it just melts the mortar. With O/A the mortar will POP.
Pics are of some 3/4" that I cut. It just barely cut it and it ain't pretty but I got it done.
My only complaint is the ground clamp takes two hands to compress!

 

[Industrial Toys]

I bought my Hypertherm , (I think 800) from a customer of mine that was shutting down their operation here. It had a hard wired ground cable that was a flexible maybe 12 gauge wire and then the cheapest of cheap, battery charger type clamp on the end. I don't know if that was stock or not. A good ground seems to be important for a plasma cutter but I get the impression it is not critical. I should change tht out for something that at least has a bit more bite!

 

[Big Barn]

Just an update. Everything turned out well for my $14 investment. Plus I ordered and paid for 20 feet but the girl behind the counter cut me a 24 foot length. Bonus!
I hear they're currently shooting a couple movies in town and maybe she thought........







Terry

 

[Big Barn]

Terry, at least your 625 lets you disconnect the ground cable - the PM45 has a 20 footer but it's hardwired. I made up some "universal" leads last year, but the only thing I have that uses dinse connectors is the little everlast stick/tig, so I got dinse and tweco stuff and made some short pigtails - the ground on my mm252 isn't done yet, nor is the ground for the PM45 - but when it's all done, I can use any combo of length for ground, ditto for stinger (the two stick machines, that is -) Also, I see Miller's as proud of their replacement torches for plasma as Hypertherm is - so I bought a couple of these Amazon.com: TechFlex Heavy Wall 1.5 inch sleeving 25ft: Home Improvement I put one on the 30A spool gun, the other will go on the 20' plasma torch. I'll use any leftover for hydraulic hoses. My thoughts on this are better to spend $40 now if it'll put off spending $500 for quite a while longer. (They're just as proud of new cable sets for the 30A as for plasma) You've seen my hose hangers - although for free, wire spools should work as well. Mainly to get away from small radius hangers with the whole weight of cable on 'em. Gotta run, got my own "rant" goin' on - cheap crap stamped mower deck. Now in process of cutting out a 7" circle of 3/16 plate with a "4-leaf clover" cut out of the center to beef up where one of the blade spindles goes - hit a small (3") limb last week and it broke one of the mounting ears out of the deck, destroyed the cast aluminum spindle housing, along with the spindle and drive pulley. Oh well, what's life without a challenge or 12... Later... Steve (Besides, if I look like I'm bustin' my *** enough, it'll make it easier to talk wifey into a new Dixie Chopper :laughing

Thanks for that Amazon link, Steve. I guess you're right. I might learn a thing or two from you OLD guys.

Terry

 

[Big Barn]

My only complaint is the ground clamp takes two hands to compress!

I've got a set of these to help me with that problem



Terry

 

[BukitCase]

Sooo, guess I ain't the ONLY one around here that's into BONDAGE (and SHINY)