Snap-on Plasma Cutter

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I made the mistake and purchased a snap-on plasma cutter.  Has anyone used one of these machines before?  I can get it to strike an ARC and cut.  The cuts are very poor, lots of slag, seems to have a hard time cutting even thin gage stuff. What am I doing wrong?  When I strike the arc do I keep the tool on the metal, do I keep it away?  I am burning up electrodes as well, they are pretty expensive.  I am using the standard flat tip, I saw a "pipe" nozzle forsale, will this work better.  I am only using it to cut fenders and oil tanks, 1/16 thick give or take a couple gage's.WarrenWaren's CycleMiller Syncrowave 200Snap-on MIG
Reply:A few things to check with any plasma cutter:- Make sure you have a good ground to your work piece. It sounds as if you may have a poor ground contact.- Verify that you have the correct air pressure going to the unit (if it doesn't have a built in compressor)- Make sure that your air supply is dry air. Any moisture will start to wear down your consumables really quickly.- Learn to tailor your hand speed to the material that you are cutting. For 16ga you should be able to move pretty quickly but too quick and the cut will turn out like crap.16ga shouldn't be a problem, even for a cheap Chinese plasma. On my Hypertherm I tend to keep the tip stand-off at about an 1/8" off of my work piece. When cutting thinner sheet like you are, dragging the tip shouldn't be a problem. I'm not familiar with the Snap-On unit (other than outrageous price my Snap-on dealer tried sell me one for).I know that some units have a "drag tip" and others require stand-off. Maybe the "pipe tip" is a drag tip for your unit?- Paulhttp://all-a-cart.comWelding Cart Kits and accessories
Reply:Your burning up the electrode or the nozzle (the outer part)?  Try running it a 90 psi (If the specs says it can handle it).  Is there water in the air line maybe?Various GrindersVictor Journeyman torch200cf Acet. 250cf oxygenLincoln 175 plus/alpha2 gunLincoln v205t tigLincoln 350mpEsab 650 plasmaWhen you can get up in the morning, Its a good day.Live each day like its your last.
Reply:Please list the model number of the cutter_________________Chris
Reply:Is it the 120v Blue Point?_________________Chris
Reply:Just in case you don't know, you can get much cheaper consumables from www.weldmart.com as compared to the snap-on price.  If it is the 110 volt model it is near identical to the century one at northerntools.  Both made by Cebora of Italy.  Hence you can also get the torch parts from century from A&A Hydraulics which is a century repair facility.  HTP also sells the torch parts:  www.htpweld.com
Reply:Originally Posted by chprs4lifeI made the mistake and purchased a snap-on plasma cutter.
Reply:I think I am dealing with water in the line and moving to fast, thanks for the help.  I called weld mart, pretty helpfull.WarrenWaren's CycleMiller Syncrowave 200Snap-on MIG