I think wet air makes the cups explode when it turns to steam.

Are you using a drier?

David

 

Yes, I'm using a dryer.

 

1) Do NOT start the arc without cutting or gouging, it shortens the nozzle and electrode life.

2) Set correct air pressure for your unit, probably between 50-70 psi.

3) Make sure your air is clean and dry. Make sure you don't have an oil lubricator in line of your air supply.

4) Maintain a 90 degree angle to work piece when cutting.

5) Sparks should pass through the work piece and out the bottom when cutting.

6) If sparks flare back from the cutting surface, this is an indication that travel speed is too fast or amperage is too low.

7) When doing extended (non-shielded) cutting, maintain an 1/8" between electrode and work piece.

8) Do NOT put pressure on drag shield when cutting. Slide shield along cutting surface for proper cutting results.

9) PULLING rather than pushing the torch makes for easier cutting.

I think a few of those should help.

 

One more thing - when installing the new cup, make sure you just barely snug it on (not even finger tight), if you try to tighten it even a little, when the heat hits it, it will break.

 

Thanks for all the tips! Yes, I have the cups screwed on as tight as I can get them by hand - oops.

Cutting or gouging? Do you mean so I have bare metal or do I need a hole all the way through the metal?

 

Don't 'dry fire' the gun.
The life of the consumables is controlled by several factors. 'Starts' is one of the variables.
Most CAM software will not only give you inches of cut, but the number of 'starts'. Thats important to know for billing purposes.
'Starts' are initial piercings. If you cut a circle in one continuous cut, it will take one 'start'. Don't waste your consumables with unnecessary trigger activation.

 

Gouging is when you're trying to remove a weld with the plasma. You tilt the torch at a 45 and move along the weld.

edit - as Dano said, another term could be "dry firing the torch". Make sure you're near the metal or about to cut the metal.

 

I purchased a China cutter

Thanks!

Maybe this is the answer

 

Maybe this is the answer

I know it has something to do with it . I hate the cheapy ceramic cups and torches on the Chinese units.

 

Maybe this is the answer

Yes, I have been chastised many times about my $200 Harbor Freight Mig and a $300 Ebay Plasma cutter. Both are 220V and are just fine for what I use them for. I would not be welding/cutting right now if I had to spend $1500 per unit so I am very thankful for the cheap units.

In any event, I cut quite a bit yesterday and didn't break any cups. I was very careful not to touch the electrode or cup to the metal and did my best to maintain a 90 degree angle.

You can see the project I am working on here:
http://www.lightweightmiata.com/trailer/trailer.htm

 

RM - glad to hear your plasma is working for you. Keep on with the project, looks good...a Miata trailer for a Miata race car?

 

Nah, the race car has been stripped to the point that I wouldn't want to attach a tow hitch to it. This will be strictly for carrying luggage, beer, etc for vacation.

 

rmc... what model cutter did you get? I have a few myself (bought before I even had a clue) but haven't really bothered to use them. Did you cut that whole body with just your plasma?
If it did that I say I break them out of their boxes and start using them.

 

rmc... what model cutter did you get? I have a few myself (bought before I even had a clue) but haven't really bothered to use them. Did you cut that whole body with just your plasma?
If it did that I say I break them out of their boxes and start using them.

You can find the cheap plasma on ebay under "rattler". No, I cut the car with a recip saw a few days before I bought the plasma

 

china says it all

 

china says it all

Nope, it was operator error. I haven't broken a cup in the last 5 times I've used it. Make fun of me not my $300 plasma cutter!

 

Yes, I have been chastised many times about my $200 Harbor Freight Mig and a $300 Ebay Plasma cutter. Both are 220V and are just fine for what I use them for. I would not be welding/cutting right now if I had to spend $1500 per unit so I am very thankful for the cheap units.

In any event, I cut quite a bit yesterday and didn't break any cups. I was very careful not to touch the electrode or cup to the metal and did my best to maintain a 90 degree angle.

You can see the project I am working on here:
http://www.lightweightmiata.com/trailer/trailer.htm

Do you have a metal attachment that keeps the head off the work, and also doubles for a guide, that you can clamp a straight edge onto the work and just ride along the straight edge?

I don not know what they are called. But on the ESAB it looks like one inch, of one inch metal tube with the tube notched out so you can see in and to let out any pressure as you start. It keeps the tip off the work, and as I said it is also a guide. You can make wooden templates to cut wild shapes, you just have to allow for the half inch difference in the cut and the guide device.

Sincerely,



William McCormick

 

Do you have a metal attachment that keeps the head off the work,

No, but it sounds like something I need to make. Thanks for the info...

 

I never was able to find the cutter you have. The seller no longer has any listed. Was it one of the Cut(30/40/50) series cutters?

I have a Cut40 and Cut50 but like I said I have never used either.

 

Nope, it was operator error. I haven't broken a cup in the last 5 times I've used it.

Good to hear! At least some of my advice doesn't fall on deaf ears.

 

I never was able to find the cutter you have. The seller no longer has any listed. Was it one of the Cut(30/40/50) series cutters?

I have a Cut40 and Cut50 but like I said I have never used either.

I see 12 of them currently on auction. I may have confused you on the search. Just type "rattler plasma" in the search box.

 

nice project

 

Wow I have to say I have not seen that color scheme before. Looks to be a Cut40.

 

The chinese units are very non forgiving.. I don't have a steady enough hand to use it. My TD doesn't care how you use it. It just likes to cut .. I am building a nice jig for the chinese unit though. Maybe I can atleast salvage it for something.

 

The chinese units are very non forgiving.. I don't have a steady enough hand to use it. My TD doesn't care how you use it. It just likes to cut .. I am building a nice jig for the chinese unit though. Maybe I can atleast salvage it for something.

Show us a picture of it when you are finished!