plasma cutter?

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does anyone know about a napa model 83-330 plasma cutter? this machine has a mind of its own in my opinion. of course, i dont know a thing about it. i buddy of mine let me use it and stated that all i had to do was hook up power, compressor, ground it, hold it to the metal and press the button. here is the problem that im having. it only works about 10% of the time. he has never really used it, and recived it as a trade for some car parts. i was able to purchase new electodes new tips and new heat shields for it, but to no avail.  is there a certain way the swirl baffle has to be installed? should the torch contact the metal? also there is a hinged door on the front of the maching that has a spark gap, i think thats what its called, mounted there. what should the gap be? i could sure use some help with this. thanks, jason
Reply:Hi, jasonstewart and a welcome to you.  I am not familiar with napa but if you can find out who makes that machine, you could get an answer by going to their website. I  do know that on a plasma cutter the torch tip should NOT touch the metal being cut, unless you put a tip guard on it. With that you can 'drag' the torch tip directly on the metal.Rodney                                   The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.'  Proverbs 10:22 NKJV
Reply:i cant find any info on the machine as far as who manfactured it. i will post some pics today and see if yall can help me with it. thanks clock for the response.     jason
Reply:Actually there are many older technology (and new imports with old technology) that rquire a "scratch start" to get the plasma torch started. You need a relatively clean surface and need to establish contact to ionize the air between the material you are cutting and the torch electrode.....as soon as the arc fires...then you must pull the torch slightly away from the plate or nozzle damage will occur.If you havea picture of the NAPA brand machine I may recognize its manufacturer....pic of the front and back of the power supply and the torch will help. Some Napa units were produced by Century Products....they also made plasma, welders and battery chargers for Matco, Snap-On and others. It may even have a Hypertherm torch...Jim Colt Originally Posted by ClockwelderHi, jasonstewart and a welcome to you.  I am not familiar with napa but if you can find out who makes that machine, you could get an answer by going to their website. I  do know that on a plasma cutter the torch tip should NOT touch the metal being cut, unless you put a tip guard on it. With that you can 'drag' the torch tip directly on the metal.
Reply:here are a couple pics. maybe this will help. if i need to take other photos, let me know. thanks againhttp://s409.photobucket.com/albums/p...t=CIMG3024.jpghttp://s409.photobucket.com/albums/p...t=CIMG3023.jpghttp://s409.photobucket.com/albums/p...t=CIMG3021.jpghttp://s409.photobucket.com/albums/p...t=CIMG3020.jpghttp://s409.photobucket.com/albums/p...t=CIMG3019.jpgLast edited by jasonstewart; 03-27-2010 at 11:09 AM.
Reply:Can't really see the torch..... a couple of closeups and also with the consumables out would help identify the manufacturer. Its definitely an old one!Jim
Reply:Some Napa  units were manufactured by Century I believe.  Where is it made?  Can you find a sticker?  The parts are probably not available any longer.  However a good repair shop may be able to fix it for you still.  Can you post a good picture of the torch?  From what I can tell its a PTx series torch, though so it would probably be a lift and go torch as Jim said. If you want, I could stop by and look at it, you are not that far away or you could bring it here (Fitzgerald)Last edited by lugweld; 03-27-2010 at 11:37 AM.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:Could also be a Cebora, also sold by Daytona Mig. It appears to have a high frequency start torch that requires a scratch start (no pilot arc). Jim
Reply:i will post pics of the torch. i was told that it was a pt-31 torch. i know there is a sticker that says assembled in mexico.
Reply:here are some pics of the torch and consumables removed.http://s409.photobucket.com/albums/p...t=CIMG3025.jpghttp://s409.photobucket.com/albums/p...t=CIMG3026.jpghttp://s409.photobucket.com/albums/p...t=CIMG3028.jpghttp://s409.photobucket.com/albums/p...t=CIMG3030.jpghttp://s409.photobucket.com/albums/p...t=CIMG3034.jpgalso, in the last photo, there is a two possition switch. is this a high-low setiing switch?thanks once again yall. i sure appreciate it. jason
Reply:The consumables are worn.  That may give you some issues starting.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:http://centuryweldingparts.com/data/...83330,4015.pdf
Reply:i have some replacement consumables that i got off ebay. i replaced the old ones and still the same effect. any other advice is great.
Reply:upon the advice of lugweld, i checked the spark gap and cleaned the points. voila, it started working. made several cuts on 1/4 plate totaling about 12ft of cuts with no problem. cracked the tip and then replaced it. had a difficult time getting it to cut again.i loosened the nozzle 1/2 turn and it started working again but i lost some cutting depth. why would it start with a loose nozze? it then wore out the electrode, so i replaced it also. and then i wouldnt start back. does this make any sense? thanks
Reply:im a little fed up with this thing. is there anyone in the albany ga area or relatively close that can repair plasma cutters?