A plasma cutter thread

[ddement]

It will not TIG aluminum. Maybe stick or MIG, but you'll have to check.

Mark is right. It won't TIG aluminum. You can weld aluminum with it if you buy a spool gun or use aluminum stick rods. The stick rods are a lot of fun 

[MalfunctionJunction!]

Any updates on the new machine yet? I have been looking at this one also but since I already have 2 machines running dc tig I am really more interested in the plasma ( although it would be nice to consolidate and save space).
And yes you need high frequency ac to tig aluminum but a spool gun on a dc arc machine makes some pretty nice welds if you do proper cleaning before hand.
The drag arc start of most dc tigs also tend to eat tungsten electrodes and this can get expensive!

[ack]

Patience, grasshopper!

It may arrive today but most likely it'll get here Monday.

I have to get the bathroom project closer to done before I can think about unpacking the unit - the shower surround boxes are filling up my garage workspace.

This weekend - Sanding and painting followed by installing the shower surround!

[Errol]

I've been looking at that ramsond for a while also I'm curious to see how it works.

[GiantTechGuy]

Patience, grasshopper!

It may arrive today but most likely it'll get here Monday.

I have to get the bathroom project closer to done before I can think about unpacking the unit - the shower surround boxes are filling up my garage workspace.

This weekend - Sanding and painting followed by installing the shower surround!

Let me know if you have any questions on that unit as I am quite familar with Chinese imports.

[ack]

Bad news, so far...

I have called them twice to get a tracking number because the unit has not arrived and both times they have not returned my calls!

They DID tell me in the only phone call that we had on the purchase that it would be shipped out on the 16th (by my reckoning) and arrive in 2-3 business days.

I have emailed them an ultimatum giving them a deadline of 6PM CDT on Wednesday (10-28-09) or I will dispute my credit card charge along with the typical usless and empty threats one would make though eBay...

Oh well...

If this deal goes South, you all will be the first to know!

[madbob]

bummer:(

[GiantTechGuy]

Is the sellers name Cia Shen ?

Bad news, so far...

I have called them twice to get a tracking number because the unit has not arrived and both times they have not returned my calls!

They DID tell me in the only phone call that we had on the purchase that it would be shipped out on the 16th (by my reckoning) and arrive in 2-3 business days.

I have emailed them an ultimatum giving them a deadline of 6PM CDT on Wednesday (10-28-09) or I will dispute my credit card charge along with the typical usless and empty threats one would make though eBay...

Oh well...

If this deal goes South, you all will be the first to know!

[outsydthbox]

     Credit card dispute usually works pretty good. If the card company gets too many complaints about a company, that company can loose their "priviledge" of accepting cc's...can put a real hurt on a legitimate business.

[Heiney5]

Ack- I hope you get things worked out....once you get it I'd be curious to see the review.


My Opinion:

Thermal Dynamics has to one of the best. I've used a Miller in the past but once I got my hands on this Cutmaster 52, I'll never go back. Everytime I use it, I am impressed. I've cut through nearly an inch of metal and have blown the centers out of broken bolts....

Advice:

+ Look at the duty cycles, I would recommend comparing them to metal you might cut. For instance the biggest I work with is often 3/16". If you have a lot of cutting and your cutter cant handle the 100% cycle then you could potentially damage it.

+ Air dryer will prolong your consumables. If moisture gets into the tip it can degrade it faster. They make cheaper ones that work more like a "filter."

[ack]

No, Cia Shen ain't him...

The deal is broken.  I sent in a dispute on the charge since the seller would not back up the claim that the product was shipped by providing a tracing number from the shipper.  I briefly had a "Strike" against me (oooh! I'm so scared...) from ebay but they cancelled it almost immediately.  I hope to have the money back in my account soon.

This, of course, screws up my plan to review a plasma cutter and get a start on the project which I was buying it for.  Oh well...

To paraphrase a line from Firefly: "My days of taking ebay sellers seriously are certainly coming to a middle..."

[geckocycles]

Try looking at these too. They have multipurpose units as well.
http://www.everlastgenerators.com/SuperCut%2050-376-pd.html

According to my welding shop you cannot use the DC output on my Lincoln TIG 250/275 machine and hook up a Spool Gun to it. I can't remember the reason but I was really sad to hear that. So make sure your multipurpose machine can do that before going out and getting a spool gun for it.

Get the pedal if you are looking at a TIG. You won't be sorry and I can't imagine even considering not having one. I have heard of a voltage control on the torch but have no experience with one. Air cooled torch will get really hot if you push the limits for any extended period of time. I have had them turn to butter and was well within the rated limits and duty cycle of the machine and torch.

Inverter machines are best and most all come with a built in pulser these days. You will love that.

Duty cycle is the main reason for increased costs so research that issue the most. Don't under buy. They all try to fudge the numbers on the cheaper machines.

[Sarge]

The reason there is a conflict with TIG machines and spool guns is compatibility with either "constant current" or "constant voltage"  . Many TIG's , including my Miller Dynasty have a variable voltage rate to keep the weld under control and minimize heat in the machine. Not to mention it saves a lot of electricity. Some spool guns will work with some machines, just depends upon output, idle current and weld settings. The Dynasty I have is set up with both a handle mounted amperage control as well as a foot pedal. The pedal is nice but you should learn with the handle control since it's the most used in odd positions.

Just to clarify-you need and ac/dc unit to be able to TIG aluminum.
Sarge

[outsydthbox]

Try looking at these too. They have multipurpose units as well.
http://www.everlastgenerators.com/SuperCut%2050-376-pd.html


Get the pedal if you are looking at a TIG. You won't be sorry and I can't imagine even considering not having one. I have heard of a voltage control on the torch but have no experience with one. Air cooled torch will get really hot if you push the limits for any extended period of time. I have had them turn to butter and was well within the rated limits and duty cycle of the machine and torch.

     The foot pedal is nice ( I have one), But it does have some limitations. If you're crawling around under your rig, or working under the dash, sometimes it's hard to have the foot pedal where you need it. I cant tell you how many times I finally got "contorted" with my feet in the air, or in a tight space, and forgot to put the pedal within reach   foot pedal is nice for control, but a thumb wheel is handy.
     something else to look at is "the torch size". I brought my new LINCOLN 175 home (about 10 years ago) and my welder friend says "oh, you got the SMALL torch...don't use the 1/8'' tungsten's or you'll burn it up in a heartbeat". He said it was good for tubing and thin/fine work, and it is handy in tight spots, but I don't dare weld heavy plate without short welds & long cool-downs. Since then I have noticed most tigs have a noticeably larger one. fwiw

[ack]

While delivering pizza tonight, I thought how much of a hoot it would be to take my case against Ramsond to one of the judge shows like Judge Alex, Judge Joe Brown or Judge Judy.  I think it would not work very well as I would not be able to act all animated and stoopid.  I'd end up presenting my case exactly as it should be - factual and without outbursts.  This is, of course, the exact opposite of what the producers would want.

On the flip side, I think I'd nail those f@#&^^g b%*(*^#+s  to the wall!