wasn't using my plasma cutter much...so I let my neighbor borrow it :P

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He does metal-art, and is really pleased with the results he achieves from the PC. One question I have is on his technique:He keeps the trigger engaged after the initial start...jumping around the material, creating a smoother motion (without releasing the trigger).I can understand that not having to stop and start on the material would create a smother cut.What surprised me was when he demonstrated how the arch would remain active every-time he would pull the torch away from the material.  He would pull the torch away, shift 5" to 10" and return the tip to the material where it would continue cutting without missing a beat.I thought you would loose your arch the moment you lost continuity once you pulled away from ground (the material)?Has anyone experienced this before?Does this technique harm the longevity of my PC or simply go through electrodes at a quicker rate?Just looking for some peace of mind thanks,mannyPC is a century 220V 20AMP unit...
Reply:Originally Posted by mr_mannyHe does metal-art, and is really pleased with the results he achieves from the PC. One question I have is on his technique:He keeps the trigger engaged after the initial start...jumping around the material, creating a smoother motion (without releasing the trigger).I can understand that not having to stop and start on the material would create a smother cut.What surprised me was when he demonstrated how the arch would remain active every-time he would pull the torch away from the material.  He would pull the torch away, shift 5" to 10" and return the tip to the material where it would continue cutting without missing a beat.I thought you would loose your arch the moment you lost continuity once you pulled away from ground (the material)?Has anyone experienced this before?Does this technique harm the longevity of my PC or simply go through electrodes at a quicker rate?Just looking for some peace of mind thanks,mannyPC is a century 220V 20AMP unit...
Reply:duplicate post
Reply:No different than if you were to cut expanded metal or grating;  the pilot arc always stays lit.  So in effect, all that cutting is only using up 1 cutting cycle of the consumables life and he's doing you a favor treating the equipment kindly.  Thank him.My Hypertherm 1000G3 has a three position switch for that very thing:  skip, continuous, or gouge.Last edited by 69 chevy; 01-17-2008 at 08:50 PM.
Reply:He's doing me a favor?I guess I shouldn't ask him to pony-up for the combustibles  thanks for your replies...feeling better already
Reply:I always though it was hard on the consumables to hold the pilot arc on long.  Isn't that why some machines have a switch to choose either expanded metal or tip saver mode.  In tip saver mode it cuts off as soon as you pull away from the metal.  In pilot mode it's arcing to itself - while it's not as much current it's got to be worse to arc to itself.I'm interested in hearing more posts on this one!  I don't claim to know for sure, and would like to see proof one way or the other!
Reply:The manual for my cutmaster says exessive pilot arc will decrease consumable life. It shouldn't harm anything else though.Of course starting and stopping alot kills the consumables also.Miller EconotigCutmaster 38Yes ma'am, that IS a screwdriver in my pocket!
Reply:Starts pit away at the electrode. I can see where some of the detailed craft pieces could eat one up in a hurry. You'd have to guage what you're doing to decide what's easier on what torch part. As long as you have piercing down pat and good hand control I'd think keeping it triggered up would be better than a ton of starts for little cuts.
Reply:Here is what I found in the manual on the "tip saver" function on a miller Spectrum 701:"1 Pilot Arc SwitchUse switch to control pilot arc.Place switch in Expanded Metal position forcontinuous pilot arc. Use while cutting expandedmetals only. The Expanded Metal position keeps thepilot arc in the circuit at all times. Life ofconsumables will be significantly reducedwhile in Expanded Metal mode.Place switch in Tip Saver position to providepilot arc output for arc starting only. Use TipSaver position in most applications to lengthenthe life of the torch and its consumables,and to obtain maximum cutting performance."So, is starting the arc that hard on the consumables?  I can see piercing being hard, but wouldn't think starting would be as hard on them.I also looked in the manual for my Esab Powercut 1500 and found nothing in there on it...
Reply:So, is starting the arc that hard on the consumables? I can see piercing being hard, but wouldn't think starting would be as hard on them.
Reply:My cutmaster doesn't have a switch to turn off the pilot arc. It comes on automatically if the cutting arc is lost. I've cut plenty of expanded metal, and never noticed it being rough on the consumables. The cutmasters use a start cartridge though, I guess all machines are different.Miller EconotigCutmaster 38Yes ma'am, that IS a screwdriver in my pocket!
Reply:Starting the arc, and leaving it lit while not over the metal, are the two worst things you can do that affect consumable life. When manufacturers come up with new consumables, they typically will brag on how many starts they get with a set of consumables. It isn't neccessarily the length of the cut, but the number of starts a tip and nozzle see that affect consumable life, for example if you made 1 cut 48" long, versus that same 48" piece with 12 starts and stops, the consumables making the long cuts will last longer than the consumables that made many starts and stops. We sell the Alltra brand of plasma tables, I've got 7 of these tables at customers that I call on, and when I ask an operator or programmer how long his consumables last, he always speaks in "number of starts" and not length of material cut.
Reply:One thing I have to add is that. I do not know if a plasma cutter senses that it is not on metal, and shuts off to protect the user that may be unconscious and able to shut it off. Or if it is a natural thing that occurs once you are away from the work. I suspect that it is for safety, or would like to think it is for safety. However I hear a difference in the arc when you pull it off the work even for short amounts of time. So it may be some kind of scientific thing?Sincerely,William McCormick
Reply:Originally Posted by William McCormick JrOne thing I have to add is that. I do not know if a plasma cutter senses that it is not on metal, and shuts off to protect the user that may be unconscious and able to shut it off.
Reply:Guys:  What is expanded metal? Thanks Chuck
Reply:Originally Posted by ChuckerGuys:  What is expanded metal? Thanks Chuck
Reply:sandy thanks chuck