Air input for new Plasma...... having trouble

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Ok.... I have been debating today whether or not to post this question because I'm likely just being an idiot..... so I'm posting the question, and am ready for the flaming....I got a Cutmaster 42.... I got a filter for it too......I can't seem to get the filter, or any other nozzle to fit into the back of the machine properly..... I have to darn near force it to tighten up, and even then, I can't get anything to fit very deep....First I tried to put the filter hose (pictures 3 and 4) directly into the machine, since that is what the instructions said to do (and the filter is made for this machine)..... when that didn't really work, I tried the nozzle/receptacle set up you see in the pics..... I got the airflow to work but it leaked air bad, probably because I only had a couple threads attached.....Here are some pictures....... Can anyone tell what I'm doing wrong? Am I really just having a stupid day today or these things threaded differently? Does my question even make sense? Attached ImagesPrecision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:Try teflon tape
Reply:The instructions say not to use that, but I did try....... it didn't help.....Precision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:It's a tapered fit it shouldn't bottom out. Are there any air leaks?Will   Supports Autism Awareness                            My ToysBobCat 225 PLusMillermatic 130Miller Spectrum 300 CutmateEverlast Power Tig 185 Micro April is Autism Month .
Reply:It's probably a straight thread fitting (JIC or metric DIN) that requires an o-ring to seal.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Originally Posted by SteelwillIt's a tapered fit it shouldn't bottom out. Are there any air leaks?
Reply:The quick disconnect fitting you are holding in the pic is 1/4 npt it is a tapered thread. Does the manual tell you what the fitting in the machine is?
Reply:I think the connection might be 5/8 18 - the same connection as the inert gas line used on for example your tig setup
Reply:Originally Posted by leightrepairsThe quick disconnect fitting you are holding in the pic is 1/4 npt it is a tapered thread. Does the manual tell you what the fitting in the machine is?
Reply:Originally Posted by FexalIt does leak, but I don't thread sealer that is not Teflon so that might fix it...... If it is a tapered fit that would explain why it gets hard to wrench in real fast.....I wonder why they taper it....... Maybe just to screw with people like me who know no better....
Reply:Does the bottom of the fitting on the machine look like it is raised in the center? Do you have a gas line off your tig set up you can try in it? If it is the same as your inert gas line it will be straight threads and should screw in all the way easily till it contacts the bottom, where it will seal. The 1/4 npt fitting like on the air line quick disconnect is tapered and seals on the threads.
Reply:There are quite a few different imperial thread standards that look the same, but are not compatible.  These days the world is now full of metric threads as well.I would say the agent that supplied that silver air line fitting with the cutter probably gave you the wrong part, and trying to make it fit is just not going to work.You will need to identify that brass female thread, and contacting the manufacturer and asking what that thread is, may be the safest way.Cheers,  Tony._________________________________Transmig 310 + Argoshield LightOxy acetyleneOxy propanePrehistoric stick welder_________________________________
Reply:The strange thing is that even the brass fitting on the filter hose didn't fit and it was made to be connected directly to the machine but still wouldn't seat.....Tomorrow I'll swing by Lowes and look for some other fitting options.....Precision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:After reading the manual I believe the machine has a 1/4 npt fitting like you are holding in the picture ( The 52 manual states that it is 1/4 npt and appears the same). The manual also says to use thread sealant but not teflon tape. If it had straight threads it would not recommend sealant. The 1/4 npt fitting should screw in about 2 turns by hand then you will need to tightien with a wrench.
Reply:The filter I have is also 1/4" NPT. I was able to get that into the air inlet hole on the machine about a half turn before I needed to wrench it in. The filter i have is the same one I see in the manual for the 52 also. Strange......At any rate, I need to get some thread sealant and ditch the teflon tape I have in the entire system now.The whole system needs to be tightened anyway. Hopefully I didn't mess up the threads on the machine due to using the wrong thing in my zeal to use it today......Precision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:Hard to resist the temptation of a new machine...
Reply:Look on page 65 of the service manual, http://thermadyne.com/IM_Uploads/Doc...29_Dec2011.pdfit looks like it has an adapter fitting on it, & it's probably an oxygen type "B" .If it is you could use one like this one, http://www.glasstorchtech.com/mobile...lefitting.htmlalong with a 1/4" npt coupling to make that connection, if you can't find one with a1/4" npt female.
Reply:Originally Posted by lstiltsLook on page 65 of the service manual, http://thermadyne.com/IM_Uploads/Doc...29_Dec2011.pdfit looks like it has an adapter fitting on it, & it's probably an oxygen type "B" .If it is you could use one like this one, http://www.glasstorchtech.com/mobile...lefitting.htmlalong with a 1/4" npt coupling to make that connection, if you can't find one with a1/4" npt female.
Reply:The inlet on the US versions of the Cutmaster 42 is a 1/4" NPTF. That means that any male, 1/4" NPT (national pipe thread) fitting will screw into the inlet fitting.These threads (on both the female and male) are tapered, and there is variance from one to the next. They do not "seat", rather they seal through the thread to thread contact that gets tighter as they are "wrenched" together.Pipe sealant is required on these threads for a leak tight fit, however, it is recommended by the manufacturer that a good liquid type of sealant (used in moderation) is used...instead of a teflon tape type sealant. Teflon tape...if not very carefully applied...can break off and clog small passages in a plasma system...in the torch leads and in the torch.NPT threads are the most common means of plumbing in North America....and the fittings are available at any hardware or plumbing supply store.Jim Colt   HyperthermLast edited by jimcolt; 05-01-2012 at 08:47 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by jimcoltThe inlet on the US versions of the Cutmaster 42 is a 1/4" NPTF. That means that any male, 1/4" NPT (national pipe thread) fitting will screw into the inlet fitting.These threads (on both the female and male) are tapered, and there is variance from one to the next. They do not "seat", rather they seal through the thread to thread contact that gets tighter as they are "wrenched" together.Pipe sealant is required on these threads for a leak tight fit, however, it is recommended by the manufacturer that a good liquid type of sealant (used in moderation) is used...instead of a teflon tape type sealant. Teflon tape...if not very carefully applied...can break off and clog small passages in a plasma system...in the torch leads and in the torch.NPT threads are the most common means of plumbing in North America....and the fittings are available at any hardware or plumbing supply store.Jim Colt   Hypertherm
Reply:Everyone including tech support says the fitting on the unit should accept a 1/4" npt male,  if that is so, it could be that the threads on the unit's female fitting may be damaged, if you have , or could borrow a thread gage, or 1/4 npt tap, you could check the threads either of  those ways, or maybe take the unit to a parts store  or LWS  &  have them check the threads for you. . My original thinking was that these machines are sold in different countries & some require different gas inlet fittings & maybe they simply didn't install the adapter fitting, but the tech said no, it is a 1/4" npt female.
Reply:Did you get your plasma filled first?
Reply:Today I got home from work and put some Pipe Sealant on the threads (not Teflon Tape) and put the single stage filter directly into the machine. I was able to turn it in about 1/2 turn then another turn or so with a wrench. I felt pretty good that the seal was good based on comments here but still called Tech Support just for good measure.....The guy said that the machine has a different pitch than NPT, something about being a British thread with a 60 degree pitch, which he said is slightly different than NPT....He said the single stage filter should not seat into the machine and my description of how it went in was totally normal.......Since I'm too impatient to go looking for the piece mentioned in the thread earlier (Lowes didn't have it), and the tech support guy said it was the normal fit-up for that filter and my machine.....I'll have to call it good enough for government work I guess.......Pics now: Attached ImagesPrecision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by SampleDid you get your plasma filled first?
Reply:Glad you got it, I was told 1-1/2 to 2 turns should seal it, as long as it doesn't leak, it's good.Originally Posted by FexalI asked the guy about this.......He said..... "You must have seen that thread on Welding Web too....."****** This never actually happened......... I  know how to put new plasma in there********
Reply:Originally Posted by BistineauBefore you try to put the new plasma in, be sure it is the proper brand for your torch, some brands may act like they will work, until you try to make  intricate cuts. Then it will have symptoms of improper air flow or some other problem and you won't suspect having the wrong brand of plasma in your torch since you just refilled it.Some will tell you plasma is plasma is plasma it's all the same. But you put in the wrong type for your torch and you will find out different, it's like trying to use Winchester bullets in a Remington rifle.
Reply:It's just plain ol' pipe thread fitting.  Use a brass nipple to save your threads on the plasma cutter, then plumb out from there.You can definitely use teflon tape as long as you make sure not to extend it beyond the inside threaded portion of the nipple.  You don't want tape in the machine's air system"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/