Plasma issue...

[mrcaptainbob]

I need some help. I am ignorant of the technique of using a plasma torch. I recently purchased a CUT-40, 40 Amp Plasma Cutter DC Inverter 120/240V Dual Voltage Cutting Machine. The claim is that it easily cuts 1/2" steel. Here's a picture of today's effort. The screw is the pivot, the top-most hole is for the torch tip and shows the arc that I'd like to cut. I am not pleased with the results. Either me, the machine or both. Any suggestions?

 

[mrcaptainbob]

Here's the picture...

 

[Big Barn]

You will get more qualified advice from others but when you do, definitely practice cuts on a piece of scrap until you get it figured out.

 

[boomer1025]

You Should have drilled a hole in the piece your trying to cut instead of trying to blow a hole with the Plasma Torch.
Start cutting from the hole. Cutting 1/2 inch with a 40 amp unit will be slow going but doable.
When starting a cut that's not on the edge on heavy metal drill a hole first if possible. On thin metal the torch will blow through to start the cut.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Looks like one of those ancient star maps! You have some talent for sure.

If I go to wreck something, I make perfect cuts.

Generally speaking, if I seek perfection (which I usually do) it turns into a dogs breakfast.

 

[TractorGuy]

What voltage are you plugged into? What is your amp setting? What do you have your air pressure set to?

I don't think you're gonna cut 1/2" with it connected to 120V.

I have a Cut50F with pilot arc and I've found almost everything except real thin stuff cuts best on full power and air pressure set to 60 PSI. Mine is 240V only.

 

[RNeumann]

As stated above- practice and start on an edge. Center punching is a little more advanced- something you can learn after a few good cuts that start on an edge.

 

[mrcaptainbob]

It's on a 240V circuit, amps was set at max (41 was the display reading...), air was set to machine max 60psi. I did practice some on both thin gauge and thick. The very first cut was on 1/2" diamond plate. It went so well I was ecstatic! two projects I have require this, but it's actually rare I work with anything that thick. The lead in on the practice was from the edge. I did consider that and drilled a starter hole in the good piece. Sparks flew from beneath and I was happy. Until....well, it all got snotted up. I should redefine what I'm doing maybe. I'll call all I'm doing on the good stuff as 'practice'. Maybe THAT would work! Seriousness aside...was the torch speed too fast? I'll try it again tomorrow, but hopes aren't there anymore.

 

[Big Barn]

Not saying this is the problem, but I usually need to grind a shiny spot for the work (ground) clamp.

If you need to pierce a hole, start with the torch angled and bring slowly to the full upright position as the cut blows through to prevent blowback and making a mess of your torch and tip.

Try another set of consumables in your torch.

 

[yomax4]

You are certainly on the outter edge of power trying to cut or pierce 1/2" with 40 amps. Actually piercing is really out of the question. You should be able to cut from and edge or as stated above, drill and start there. Slow going and a guide will surely help. Machines vary greatly in output. It's more about kilowatts than amps with plasma. Brands can say they have what ever they want for amp output but without the kilowatts the performance is less. This is why a Hypertherm power max 30 with good kilowatts will out cut many 40 amp competitors units. Just for grins, find a set of DC tongs and clamp on your ground cable while running 40 amps and see what the meter says. Might not be 40 amps