- Thread starter Rob 88"
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knoba
...break a leg!
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The bit on the left is the nozzle. The bit on the right, in the torch end, is the electrode. A worn nozzle will be badly pitted and the aperture at the end will start ovaling with use, leading to a splayed out plasma jet and a sloppy cut. Greater longevity can be gained by making use off a stand-off, and ensuring that a good electrical contact, to the metal to be cut, is made before starting the arc. The electrode will start losing the little slug of silver metal in the middle. There's also a "swirl ring" that fits in the torch end (the brown sleeve - your pic) it's worth picking up a few of those for spares too. 
For spares see your local welding supplier, or Steve (weldequip) will get you sorted out.
More Plasma info - (half way down page)
For spares see your local welding supplier, or Steve (weldequip) will get you sorted out.
More Plasma info - (half way down page)
In theory you need to change the electrode when it becomes pitted in the centre of the tip. How pitted depends upon the manufacturer's recommendation - they vary, but they're usually pretty small, if you wish to maintain good cut quality.
The critical thing with the nozzles is to look for the small hole at the tip getting out of round / larger. At that point, it needs changing. Again, sooner rather than later for good cutting.
That's the theory... But it gets expensive.
I would recommend that you stock up on electrodes and nozzles (the two bits in your pic), and just keep one spare swirl ring and main end cap (if your plasma uses them). These parts don't wear as fast as the nozzles / 'trodes and tend to be more pricey. I think I've replaced two swirl rings in years of using several plasmas in all kinds of circumstances. You might even decide its not worth having a spare, and concentrate on the other bits.
Unless they are completely boned, keep the worn nozzles & electrodes in a box, so when you're cutting up crap or just rough cutting something, you can stick them in and save wearing out a nice clean set - keep these for cuts you want a good finish on. This can really save you money as its usually the rough cutting / cutting crappy material / 'oh I'll just give that a quick chop with the plasma' type jobs that do most of the wear to the parts.
I don't recommend leaving nozzles / trodes in place until they fail catastrophically as this can often take out more expensive bits around them - end caps / rings etc. I wouldn't take an electrode much further than the one you've shown, for nozzles, you'd need a pic comparing old with new.
Concentrating on your technique will improve consumable life, if you want to. Especially your speed, so that you avoid material being blown back up into the torch head. Also true when starting a cut, so start with the torch pointing 45 degrees to the work piece, strike the arc then rotate into the workpiece to avoid material from the initial pierce being blow up into the torch, where possible. Dry air also helps.
Al.
The critical thing with the nozzles is to look for the small hole at the tip getting out of round / larger. At that point, it needs changing. Again, sooner rather than later for good cutting.
That's the theory... But it gets expensive.
I would recommend that you stock up on electrodes and nozzles (the two bits in your pic), and just keep one spare swirl ring and main end cap (if your plasma uses them). These parts don't wear as fast as the nozzles / 'trodes and tend to be more pricey. I think I've replaced two swirl rings in years of using several plasmas in all kinds of circumstances. You might even decide its not worth having a spare, and concentrate on the other bits.
Unless they are completely boned, keep the worn nozzles & electrodes in a box, so when you're cutting up crap or just rough cutting something, you can stick them in and save wearing out a nice clean set - keep these for cuts you want a good finish on. This can really save you money as its usually the rough cutting / cutting crappy material / 'oh I'll just give that a quick chop with the plasma' type jobs that do most of the wear to the parts.
I don't recommend leaving nozzles / trodes in place until they fail catastrophically as this can often take out more expensive bits around them - end caps / rings etc. I wouldn't take an electrode much further than the one you've shown, for nozzles, you'd need a pic comparing old with new.
Concentrating on your technique will improve consumable life, if you want to. Especially your speed, so that you avoid material being blown back up into the torch head. Also true when starting a cut, so start with the torch pointing 45 degrees to the work piece, strike the arc then rotate into the workpiece to avoid material from the initial pierce being blow up into the torch, where possible. Dry air also helps.
Al.
knoba
...break a leg!
- Messages
- 863
- Location
- Sussex, England
I mostly use tempered hardboard for straight edges & shaped templates when it's practical. A stand-off helps a lot with keeping a nice cut along the template guide. I also have a nice trammel set, for it somewhere, but I've never used it (maybe one day... 
).
I can't comment for the wire type stand-offs (pic #1), but I have used the solid type (pic #2) with good results & frankly; I'm sold on 'em. Both types are easy enough to make-up yourself & just push-fit on the end of the torch;
).I can't comment for the wire type stand-offs (pic #1), but I have used the solid type (pic #2) with good results & frankly; I'm sold on 'em. Both types are easy enough to make-up yourself & just push-fit on the end of the torch
;
