New at Plasma cutting - help?

admin

Hi again, as per my other post I just posted about the stick welding, I just got my new Weldmax 520D set up and trying out the Plasma cutter... Never had one before, its really awesome! But I am messy with my cuts, I've attached here a top side picture and a bottom side picture.  You can see the splatter on the top and the big drips underneath, plus my cuts get gummed up with molten metal.  I haven't figured out yet if its my angle, speed, or amps?  Any suggestions are appreciated!!When I cut through 3/4" pipe it was super messy and the metal just dripped back together - not at all what I'd imagined and the edges were rough.  Any tips really appreciated!!Thank you!! Attached ImagesLongevity Weldmax 520DStick/Tig/Plasma CutterSonoma County, CA
Reply:#1 Try cleaning the metal up first, make the area you want to cut shine, and make sure the ground is on a clean spot as well, having the cut area really clean isn't totally necessary, but it helps to make a cleaner cut!#2 it looks like you are trying to cut with the cutters amps all the way up, cut the amps back to a good setting for the metal that you are cutting and slow down, the top splatter is from blow back from not going slow enough to cut all the way through the metal, the under side is where it did go through but you where moving so fast that the air and plasma arc didn't have time to blow the molten metal away.#3 use an angle to start the cut then point the tip straight at the metal while keeping the required gap, this will force the molten metal down and away.#4 Practice, practice and more practice, trial and error is the best teacher that I know!Last edited by Ken Dennis; 06-15-2010 at 02:16 AM.#1. If you don't like what I wrote, or if it offends you, then don't read it!#2. I am living life the way I see fit, if you don't like the way I'M living, tough sh**!
Reply:Hi Ken- Thank you for your response.  My understanding was that the beauty of plasma cutting is that it cuts through rust or paint no problem...?I did make sure the ground area was sanded clean.I think I was moving at an angle most of the time, so thank you for correcting me.  Angle first then straight down, and slower.  I'll post again after I practice more.Thank you!!Longevity Weldmax 520DStick/Tig/Plasma CutterSonoma County, CA
Reply:Yes, it does a good job on rusty and even painted metal, but as I stated, "for a cleaner cut", clean the metal!The plasma arc must make contact with the metal, for it to keep the plasma stream going, the less interference with the stream, the cleaner the plasma arc will be, the cleaner the arc, the cleaner the cut.Now!If you are looking for a knife edge cut, you won't be able to obtain a totally clean cut, but you can do things that will help, like using something as a template or straight edge to steady the torch, but even then, there will be a bit of cleanup of the metal with either an angle grinder or a flap disk to get a smooth edge#1. If you don't like what I wrote, or if it offends you, then don't read it!#2. I am living life the way I see fit, if you don't like the way I'M living, tough sh**!
Reply:I'm a newbie to the Plasma cutter myself and most of what Ken said applies directly to me, especially number 4, practice, practice, practice.