My new LP40D Pilot Arc

[Berniep]

I have wanted a plamsa cutter for a long time but could not justify the expense.
I have been following this forum for a while and decided to take the chance.
I ordered a Forcecut LP40D Pilot Arc from longevity and got the weldingweb discount.
It was shipped very quickly and Simon was very nice to talk to over the phone.
When it came it had a small hole in the side (always happens to me)and my heart dropped but upon further inspection it didn't get to the machine inside. Whew!!
Took it down to the shop and got it hooked up and from the start I was glad I got it. Here are some pics of the machine.

[Berniep]

More pics



One thing to note is the pilot arc only works when you first pull the trigger.
It does not pick back up when you move off the piece or lose the arc. But it does allow you to start an arc through paint and rusty metal without touching the workpiece. I am told this greatly increases the consumable life.
Here are some of the cuts I made.
From left to right, 16 guage, 1/4 mild, 1/4 stainless, 1/2 mild, 3/16ths mild.


Here is a closer look, you can see where I got better on the 1/2 as i cut from right to left.
This is my first experience with a plasma cutter.


Here is a project I have been putting off cutting out for months because I didn't want to mess with the jigsaw or cutoff wheel. Took me about 5 minutes to lay it out and about 5 more minutes to cut it.

I will be happy to answer any questions or I have some high res versions of the pictures I can put up somewhere if anyone is interested.

[Berniep]

Oh and also
I should note that dross is greatly reduced with proper travel speed.
As I said I am very much a newbie with plasma cutters

[longevity-inc.com]

Berniep,

Thank you for the purchase and the pictures posted on here. The cuts look great! Please post more projects in the future.

Once again, thanks for the order.

Simon

[Berniep]

Here is a little video.

[longevity-inc.com]

Nice Video Berniep,

Thank you for sharing. How is the project coming along?

Simon

[Berniep]

Nice Video Berniep,

Thank you for sharing. How is the project coming along?

Simon

Thanks.
Oh it was just a top for my welding cart that will probably never be finished.
I am very scattered right now.

[specter]

Hi Ya Berniep nice lil unit looks like it very portable. I like the video! How do you like that stationary standoff? Sure seems like that unit performed well on that 1/2" steel. How do you like the pilot arc for being able to cut thru painted or rusted surfaces? That is a very nice looking torch on that unit the other torches had the trigger tied on with tie wraps and the trigger would sometime slide around when you press on the torches trigger.

[Teddco]

The torch looks to be a Trifamet, also used by HF and HTP units, or a Chinese clone thereof.

[Berniep]

Hi Ya Berniep nice lil unit looks like it very portable. I like the video! How do you like that stationary standoff? Sure seems like that unit performed well on that 1/2" steel. How do you like the pilot arc for being able to cut thru painted or rusted surfaces? That is a very nice looking torch on that unit the other torches had the trigger tied on with tie wraps and the trigger would sometime slide around when you press on the torches trigger.

Sorry I took so long, I have been busy lately
The standoff is included. It punches right through the paint on that pipe at the end of the video and it has caused me no end of trouble when trying to weld it ( I use scrap whenever I can)
I cut up just abut every piece of small scrap I had laying around and then started on some of my good stuff It was so much fun
Thanks Teddco for the tip on the Trifamet torch I will have to check that out.

[Stack of Dimes]

Besides the standoff, what other items are included with the unit? Spare consumables? Is the air regulator included?

[Berniep]

Besides the standoff, what other items are included with the unit? Spare consumables? Is the air regulator included?

There is supposed to be an extra cup and electrode. But mine was missing. A quick email and it was on the way. The air regulator and mounting bracket is included. It also came with some sort of thread tape that I have never seen before. I used some regular Teflon tape that I had laying around.

[pierre71]

One thing to note is the pilot arc only works when you first pull the trigger.
It does not pick back up when you move off the piece or lose the arc. But it does allow you to start an arc through paint and rusty metal without touching the workpiece. I am told this greatly increases the consumable life.

I thought that if the trigger is still pulled, the pilot arc would come back on if you moved off the piece being cut? The idea being if you cut something like expanded steel, you won't have to keep retriggering the torch. Maybe each brand does it differently.

[Berniep]

I thought that if the trigger is still pulled, the pilot arc would come back on if you moved off the piece being cut? The idea being if you cut something like expanded steel, you won't have to keep retriggering the torch. Maybe each brand does it differently.

This this is not a proper pilot arc but it works fine for me. I would be time consuming to cut expanded metal but I think it could be done fairly easily. I am not sure of the affect on the consumables if you would cut a lot of it.

[RLOW]

Nice Video Berniep,

Thank you for sharing. How is the project coming along?

Simon

Hey Simon, Why is your support so bad?