Plasma, shielded vs unshielded

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I had to go get welding gas today so I took the opportunity to look at the Hypertherm torches at the local Airgas.    After all the comments about how great the shielded tip is I am wondering if there is a down side.   Today I had to cut a round axle tube of a trailer,  even with the tip of my ESAB wedged between the two pieces, I was over 1/2 inch away from the cut but fortunately it worked anyway.    After looking at the hypertherm shielded gun.. and taking it apart heh!  I noted that it was definitely much wider at the tip and the nozzle is already recessed.... I don't think I could have got that tip closer than an inch to the work...  So it seems that in a production setting shielded is great but in an out of position, tight space, disassembly setting the narrowness of a non shielded tip seems to have an advantage... Is there a way to get a narrower tip setting for the hypertherm guns,,,  I was running at about 35 Amps for that cut which is still within drag cut range for my machine.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:The Hypertherm Powermax 30 and 45 models have a narrow v-shaped shield on the new guns.  The older Powermax 380 that I have has a much broader shield.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:If you don't need the shield then change the tips. Hypertherm makes both so you can use which ever is needed for the job. I must admit though that despite having all the different styles since I bought my Powermax 1250 I've hardly ever used the unshielded. I have occasionally used the fine cut tips but not that much.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:Ok that's what I was wondering.  So If down the road I get a Hypertherm I still have the option of using a narrow unshielded tip if needed... I was looking at the 1000,  I work mostly with 1/4 to 1" mild steel so a 1000 or larger would be a must...   that 1250 looks like a real nice machine...  Unfortunately I cannot afford to buy new but will keep my eyes open for one used...   I did use my ebay tips today for the first time... they worked just as well as the ESAB ones... so for the price I keep using them,  10 each, nozzle, electrode and swirl ring for $38 delivered (from China)Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawOk that's what I was wondering.  So If down the road I get a Hypertherm I still have the option of using a narrow unshielded tip if needed... I was looking at the 1000,  I work mostly with 1/4 to 1" mild steel so a 1000 or larger would be a must...   that 1250 looks like a real nice machine...  Unfortunately I cannot afford to buy new but will keep my eyes open for one used...   I did use my ebay tips today for the first time... they worked just as well as the ESAB ones... so for the price I keep using them,  10 each, nozzle, electrode and swirl ring for $38 delivered (from China)
Reply:I know this is an older thread, however I was wondering Soutthpaw if you are still using the consumables you got on ebay. If so, how do/did/ they work? Can you give me a seller name?Thanks in advanceRick
Reply:Yeah  I love that machine now and the consumables I got on ebay work fine.  I do have a few ESAB branded consumables and honestly cant tell a difference.   I usually end up messing up the tip from molten metal blowing back before anything else.   the electrodes seem to last forever.   I just ordered a bunch of tips as I can go 10 tips or more on 1 electrode easy.  3-shop-river is the ebay seller  I have ordered 1/2 dozen times from them and always prompt (standard rate) delivery.  about 2 wks from China.. I also just got a bunch of my TIG consumables from the same seller...     If I was only cutting clean in position material my tips would last a lot longer but most is rusty, painted out of position, multiple layers etc....   I even bought direct outside of ebay via paypal and ordered exactly the part and quantity I wanted... only good stuff to say about this seller.  I think the tips worked out to less than $1 eachMachine has worked well and can drag cut up to 40 amps.   Maybe I need to try using the stand off shield and my tips may last longer heh!I can get about 45 mins to an hr of actual cutting time per tip averageLast edited by soutthpaw; 06-29-2011 at 05:54 PM.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Looks like the questions (abot the Hypertherm torches) were answered. The primary consumables used ....for the majority of cutting applications....arethe shielded parts. These parts dramatically improve cut quality and consumable life...and allow dragging on the plate at all amperage levels....resulting in better cut quality and ease of use. There are unshielded and extended consumables that are designed for getting into tight spots....however I find that they are usually unnecessary as the Hypertherm units all have extremely high arc voltage capability (compared to other brands)....which means you can pull back the torch and stretch the arc more than others for tight cut positioning.The newest generation Hypertherm torches (Duramax) as used on the new Powermax65 and 85 have a narrower, longer front end as well for better beveling and tight position needs. There are torch upgrade kits for retrofitting the Duramax torches to the Powermax1000, 1250 and 1650.And who says that Hypertherm plasma cannot cut thick materials as well as an oxy-fuel torch? A picture of a lifting lug cut from 3/4" with my Powermax85 is attached. No cleanup required....cut at 30 inches per minute, no preheat time, pierce time of 1.5 seconds.Jim Colt Attached Images
Reply:Powermax 1250 in my hands cutting some 5/8" steel.....you'd be hard pressed to cut faster, cleaner or easier with a torch!JimLink to video:   [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQ2Niq630KY[/ame]
Reply:Thanks Guys, Soutthpaw maybe I missed it somewhere. Can you start me off with the sellers name?I am setting up a new Plasma(Junk)Cam so maybe these parts might even last a little longer.Maybe when I grow up I'll be just like you Jim....LOL...I'm WAY outta practice and can't do that with Plasma However with a little dusting off my knees and climbing back on that bike I could with a torch again...just not as fast....Thanks againRick
Reply:I certainly don't consider the PlasmaCam "junk".....on the contrary it is an excellent machine for the money. I have owned two...and the lift lug in the picture of my previous post was cut with my PlasmaCam DHC2 with a Powermax85. Easy to use intuitive CAD/CAM software....and a foolproof torch height control.Jim Originally Posted by ratsglass29Thanks Guys, Soutthpaw maybe I missed it somewhere. Can you start me off with the sellers name?I am setting up a new Plasma(Junk)Cam so maybe these parts might even last a little longer.Maybe when I grow up I'll be just like you Jim....LOL...I'm WAY outta practice and can't do that with Plasma However with a little dusting off my knees and climbing back on that bike I could with a torch again...just not as fast....Thanks againRick
Reply:Ok thanks again Jim...Once I get this one up and running I'll be pick your brain if that ok....were building a water table right now and I been playing with the Program...It's easier for me just to input everything than to go back ad forth clicking the mouse