Plasma cutting issues ...

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Hi Guys, first post although I do read here occasionally!Not a Professional but I am mildly experienced with welding over the last 30 years but not with plasma and have purchased my first plasma unit with small air compressor. Nothing fancy, small unit and supposed to be good for 10mm thick which I have proven but usually I cut 2mm to 3mm thickI am having dire problems with the tips blowing a great big hole out in very short time, as short as 5 to 10 seconds and the tips also have a lot of slag on them which sticks to the job of course (yes I am trying to keep the tip off the job). Doesn't seem to worry the inner electrode much.Any ideas what I am doing wrong please? TIA :-)
Reply:You edge starting or piercing? Are you talking about "blowing a nig hole out" of the nozzle or the work piece? If it's the work piece your not moving fast enough. Same for slag, moving too slow or too fast will cause slag. If your piercing and the slag is coming up and hitting the nozzle, angle the torch a bit so the air will blow it away from the tip, instead of straight up into it. Also you could be holding the nozzle too close to the work, is is a drag tip or stand off tip? If it's stand off you cannot contact the work, if it's a drag tip it needs to be in contact with the work. We need more information to be more helpful. Also what plasma are you using. "one with a bolt in air compressor" does not give much help on the model.Offering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.
Reply:NBDF, thanks for your fast reply, I am at home now but I will offer what info I can tomorrow
Reply:Yeah, tell us what brand plasma cutter you have.  Also, you might send a PM out to a user here named "Jim Colt."  Hes a plasma guru, since he works at Hypertherm.  He's very helpfull.Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:Hi Guys, sorry for the slow reply.I may have solved this myself, I mentioned this is my first plasma cutter and I don't know much about them but after a bit of study the last few days I believe I have drag tips and have been holding them away from the job like I thought I should be, I didn't realise you actually touched the tip on the job. Yesterday I did a few cuts on some scrap dragging the tip along the steel and it was brilliant with no immediate damage to the tip as I have been suffering ....So I think this has been the issue - sorry to take your time up for such a silly thing but I just didn't know and I live in another country that I barely speak the language and certainly not when it comes to technical stuff so no info forthcoming when I purchased it.Your efforts to want to help me are much appreciated, I'll try a few serious cuts over the next few days and report back, thanks Oh, and the brand is a Jasic, model Cut40. I have had a Jasic MIG200 for 5 years now and has been great, used daily. Jasic is one of the better Chinese brands with good parts and backup service (I actually live in China but I'm Orrrstralian ).Good pictures of it here .....http://www.aliexpress.com/product-fm...olesalers.htmlLast edited by Kermitgreen; 05-17-2012 at 04:16 AM.
Reply:That is an interesting website, looks like a Chinese eBay.  I notice 99% of the machines are labelled Cut 50, no matter who makes them.
Reply:Fan-bloody-tastic!I've just been cutting up some scrap 3 and 5mm plate for practice and now that I'm actually touching the plate it just goes through clean and fast, what I dreamed plasma could do.Now I'm smarter than I was yesterday, will be able to understand women soon. (I'm pushing it aren't I )Thanks again!!
Reply:Originally Posted by KermitgreenNow I'm smarter than I was yesterday, will be able to understand women soon. (I'm pushing it aren't I )!