Considering Cheap Plasma Cutter (Cut 50)

[daedalusminos]

Yep still going strong. Didn't use it today, but was cutting some 8mm steel last weekend with no problems, but on thinner stuff (<3mm) the kerf is wider than it needs to be (about 2-3mm) so I've ordered some 0.9mm nozzles, I think the default ones are 1.1mm.

I need to use it tomorrow on some 5mm but so far so good!

 

[daedalusminos]

Mmmm OK, that was not without problems....

Started cutting 5mm at 35A and noticed it seemed to be struggling - tweaked the air up a little, not much better then tweaked the current up still no better, and then no pilot arc thus no cutting.

Long story short, the air line had become disconnected from the torch in the handle, the original hex crimp hadn't caught the hose fully. With no spare crimps, I just pushed the hose on to check everything else was OK - for a while it cut better than ever until the hose popped off again.

I'll need to get a crimp or other slimline hose connection - a jubilee probably won't fit in the handle.

 

[skotl]

Mmmm OK, that was not without problems....

Started cutting 5mm at 35A and noticed it seemed to be struggling - tweaked the air up a little, not much better then tweaked the current up still no better, and then no pilot arc thus no cutting.

Long story short, the air line had become disconnected from the torch in the handle, the original hex crimp hadn't caught the hose fully. With no spare crimps, I just pushed the hose on to check everything else was OK - for a while it cut better than ever until the hose popped off again.

I'll need to get a crimp or other slimline hose connection - a jubilee probably won't fit in the handle.

If it's the standard cheapie torch then it's probably a great excuse to splurge £25 on a much better one!

 

[mrsbruce]

I did a baad thing. I took a punt on ebay on a cut50 for spares or repair, and won. I figured that if it didn’t work, it could be worth it for spares.

It arrived today, and I removed what looked like 1/2 ton of coal dust out of it. The plug was cut off, so had fun working out the wiring. It was also minus the torch, but when I bought the hubby the other cutter, they sent me a spare torch, so that will just plug in.

I’ll try cutting something tomorrow, but am a fairly happy bunny.

Now someone mentioned a torch upgrade? Could someone point me in the right direction?

 

[AdrianH]

I have mentioned that on another post, they come with the standard PT-31 torch, which is probably good enough for drag work, but I use mine for CNC. I would suggest something like a hand held SG-55 or AG60 but get the smaller tips.

I basically found that the consumables where vastly different from supplier to supplier, even from batch to batch.

The SG55 just seems to be better engineered, time will tell.

Suggest you look at getting yours going first, check for signs of burning on the boards check the gap on the spark contacts too big and nothing happens.

be careful the caps can hold charge for some time and I do not just mean the big but the HF start area can get up to 10,000's Volts.

If you seem any damage under the covers post pictures on here and lets see what collectively we can do.

realised I have had my Cut40 for over 3 years, had to burn outs on the board but still going.
Have fun be safe.

Adrian

 

[mrsbruce]

I have mentioned that on another post, they come with the standard PT-31 torch, which is probably good enough for drag work, but I use mine for CNC. I would suggest something like a hand held SG-55 or AG60 but get the smaller tips.

I basically found that the consumables where vastly different from supplier to supplier, even from batch to batch.

The SG55 just seems to be better engineered, time will tell.

Suggest you look at getting yours going first, check for signs of burning on the boards check the gap on the spark contacts too big and nothing happens.

be careful the caps can hold charge for some time and I do not just mean the big but the HF start area can get up to 10,000's Volts.

If you seem any damage under the covers post pictures on here and lets see what collectively we can do.

realised I have had my Cut40 for over 3 years, had to burn outs on the board but still going.
Have fun be safe.

Adrian

Many thanks, boards look fine, with no smell of burnout, cracks, or iffyness (so far).

After nicking the hubby’s abandoned plasma cutter, he decided he really needed his back (Indian giver), but no way was I going to buy a new one for him. So if all well, this one will sit in his hut as a spare.

If it cuts better, well, who knows.....

 

[AdrianH]

I did pick up another Cut40 for £10 plus delivery, found a few dry joints on the boards probably from being knocked around. the contacts on the spark gap where loose so sometimes it would spark sometimes not as the gap varied. Good clean out wipe the case down and tested OK, will provide me with a hand held unit for cutting sheet..

So wish you well with it, they are either burnt out components or not a lot wrong. Sometimes the relays start to melt as the contacts take some hammer and become hot, so have a look for distortion on them (bottom board) signs of melting etc. If you are good with a soldering iron can be replaced quite easily.

Adrian

 

[mrsbruce]

I’ll do that. As I said, if it comes to it, it will do for spares if it cuts grotty, or not at all.

 

[gaz1]

Many thanks, boards look fine, with no smell of burnout, cracks, or iffyness (so far).

After nicking the hubby’s abandoned plasma cutter, he decided he really needed his back (Indian giver), but no way was I going to buy a new one for him. So if all well, this one will sit in his hut as a spare.

If it cuts better, well, who knows.....

you mean you had first play and proven it can do it now he wants it for his stuff when he wasnt interested in it and you was having way too much fun with it

so he spoilt it

as goes for powering it up consider your safety plug it in test with an electric screw driver for earth safety sounds silly but its best to do it
then turn switches to on you can do this before you even get to plugging in that trigger gun
turn off then plug in your trigger and retest again this time pulling the trigger

2 things are tested this way power to the machine and safety and also if it powers up in the machine lights up and illuminates the unit amps
then its a full test also test against metal for this test dont do an air test if you can help it

after power up do not enter it afterwards for 24hrs its same with tvs but ive done them live but i dont expect you to do it they hold some real power in them and at 25,000 volts + for a tv its gonna hurt

 

[gaz1]

any smell switch off imediatley have it on an extension when you turn it on saves going bang near you

this can happen hence the suggestion of an extension power it up a certain way and at least its far enough as a just in case

please dont be scared of them but beaware of what can happen

 

[mrsbruce]

 

[skotl]

any smell switch off imediatley have it on an extension when you turn it on saves going bang near you

this can happen hence the suggestion of an extension power it up a certain way and at least its far enough as a just in case

please dont be scared of them but beaware of what can happen

I wouldn't have just switched it off and immediately back on again - pretty sure most electronic goods, especially ones with high voltage circuits, wouldn't enjoy that!

Also - I'd be wary of using an extension cable as it's pretty easy to exceed 13A input on one of these. Anyways, the torch leads are always pretty meagre so you're going to be within 3-4ft of the unit anyway

Plus - the guy in the video clearly survived long enough to post the vid

 

[Popcorn]

And you have got another for spares

 

[zeppelin builder]

I have an old goodwin p18 which i rescued from a skip its internal compresor was toast so i removed it and converted it to a high pressure 6 bar wtc 90 amp torch air cooled and supplied by a seperate compressor 16cfm which just keeps up with a 2mm nozzle
Its a weapon and i have used it in the past to cut holes in 25mm hastalloy flanges i dont see many people selling wtc consumables for it i got the last stuff via starparts
Was cutting some plates with it today it will cut as fast as you can move thats 9mm plate

 

[gaz1]

I did a baad thing. I took a punt on ebay on a cut50 for spares or repair, and won. I figured that if it didn’t work, it could be worth it for spares.

It arrived today, and I removed what looked like 1/2 ton of coal dust out of it. The plug was cut off, so had fun working out the wiring. It was also minus the torch, but when I bought the hubby the other cutter, they sent me a spare torch, so that will just plug in.

I’ll try cutting something tomorrow, but am a fairly happy bunny.

Now someone mentioned a torch upgrade? Could someone point me in the right direction?

did it go bang yet ?

 

[mrsbruce]

Hubby hasn’t been too well this week, so haven’t had the opportunity to try to blow myself up yet. Should be able to test it this weekend.

 

[GavJ]

Well finally got around to putting the cut50P together, all went well with first burn.... air pressure too high to start with but with that turned down a notch it cut 5mm wall pipe fine. I even drained my compressors for the first time in ages....