PlasmaHelper.com purchase and thoughts.

Well, I bought all three products at plasmahelper.com. I was going to pass on the stand-off, but figured for the price, why not.

Working with DeWayne was great, all email though. Confusion delayed the order a couple days but not a big deal (email). Make sure you know you torch measurements if you order something.

Shipping was cheap, $5 range, they pack boxes like Everlast China (there was no room left in that box and no way I could put it back in there after I unpacked it).

As I unpacked it, it took a couple minutes to match the bags up, but I did not need to call them, but first glance I was going there goes a couple hours.

The pictures with the instructions for someone of age, did not get it so I went to the website. There, they are big and in color.

I put the rip tool together first. Very impressed. Went together fast, if the torch locks down (since I had to give him my specs), I am sure I will be happy with it. Design was solid. Looks like I can get down pretty tight.

The ripper has wing/allen screws. The wings get in the way a little when I went for smaller rip size. I myself would forget the wings and ship an allen wrench in place of them.

The stand-off. Only as the A81 has issues with the flat containment nozzle, I bought it hoping to make that last longer than the stock wire stand-off. And it was machined and looked nice too. Sure I will use it when teaching kids to cut.

The Circle cutter. Got it all together, had to look a the pictures online again. Not sure how well the design will work with the A81. The flat nozzle... The S45, WG60/LG and 80, etc will work fine as it's not flat. So I am sure it will well for them. But I will email DeWayne a question on it or just try it and see.

All good quality, takes a little thought and the online pictures for me to put it all together quickly.

So far, very happy. Love to rip square tube for channel as I get a lot of it free/cheap.

All this in that box.. $5 and some change for shipping.
Attachment 6973

After I put them together. You see the spare rails and all now. See above bags of parts. :D Sort of like building a model as a kid.
Attachment 6974

Mike,

Thanks for posting this review ... I've been very interested in the product since Buggy used it on his project. Let us know what you hear back from them on the A81 torch.

Can you elaborate on what the issue was with how the A81 fit the stand off and the circle cutter? I'm looking at my A81 nozzle, and I see that the sides are parallel, instead of tapered, so I suspect that is that you were referring to. Would a different diameter ring help?

Thanks
Mike

Nice looking stuff ... I'm going to look at plasmahelper.com and probably book mark it ... thanks for posting.
Winky

On the stand-off. It is a plus. That wire stand-off seems to sometime send stuff back at the nozzle. I have seen guys with the issue and have a 1/8" notch on mine.

So I went for the stand-off only since I had the A81 as my current main cutter. I tried to get Plasmahelper.com to go bigger for the 85 amp, but he had email issues and just wanted to get things going.

On the circle cutter. I have not used it so I might be wrong, but as you said, there is no taper and I think it will be a problem. This weekend I will see if I can get to playing with it. Buried right now. But yes, the stand-off is a good thing and I think it was like $20.

The circle jig, I am not sure it will be a good fit flat (and straight) like that. You have good eyes if you could see that from the picture. :) And the ring he sent me looks small. Maybe I can work with him to get an A81 match up, since it is a new torch and starting to catch on. But lack of taper so far as been a little bit of a pain.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Winky

Nice looking stuff ... I'm going to look at plasmahelper.com and probably book mark it ... thanks for posting.
Winky

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I got one of each. But the ripper was what I really needed, the circle was something I will use on occasion so I grabbed that.

The standoff, well I have the A81 so it could not hurt. Otherwise I would have skipped the stand-off.

I've been looking for something like that standoff, I was thinking I'd have to fab something myself. I have a Thermal Dynamics PCH-52, so I guess I'll have to measure it next time I'm thinking about it. S/F.....Ken M

ever use anti spatter spray helps on the plasma tips

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EchoSixMike

I've been looking for something like that standoff, I was thinking I'd have to fab something myself. I have a Thermal Dynamics PCH-52, so I guess I'll have to measure it next time I'm thinking about it. S/F.....Ken M

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His is nice. He also sends two long wires you can bend for the conventional looking wire version and the threaded posts with polished ends. Measure upper diameter on the nozzle if you order. That it was held my order up, he did not know the A81 nozzle, and I was trying to get a size to cover my bigger torch too (and share the tools). Just gave up and went with the A81 size.

The issue is that the only viable diameter I see on the PCH-52 torch is the ceramic cup. You think that'll be a problem? S/F......Ken M

Attachment 6978 this would not be hard to make this is for a PCH-52

That's quite nice, you make it or buy it? S/F....Ken M

its a pic i found of a rite stand off for your torch . easy to make out of tubing

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EchoSixMike

The issue is that the only viable diameter I see on the PCH-52 torch is the ceramic cup. You think that'll be a problem? S/F......Ken M

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Two of his demos had ceramic cups. Just snug them. The tapper is the concern I have on the circle cutter. But again, have not tried it or contacted them. Might work fine. I have another torch, maybe they can swap me a part on the circle cutter worse case.

OK an update.

EMS, the Plasmahelper.com stand-off was like $20, so your call on the time vs money. But it had wired and threaded studs you can make whatever height you want. So I am happy here and it was a last minute add to the order. But worth it if you need a stand-off and do not have a mill or drill and the free time.

The circle guide I thought was going to be a problem.. Same as other Mike. NOT A PROBLEM AT ALL, PERFECT, the ring locks to the nozzle, and you open the bottom forks to hold it. So circle jig was simple. Took some tweaking to get the standoff right though, 10-15 minutes. Picture attached at the end if I remember. Not cutting, but running it on some plates to check clearance. And the pegs scribed the metal so you can see the path. Very nice.

On the ripper. It fit my one torch, but not the one I bought it for so I can use it. It did not fit the Trafimet A81 hugh neck. It fits all the torches I can name, but not the darn Trafimet A81.

I emailed DeWayne this weekend. He emailed back today (Sunday) and will have a solution end of this week. Seem Trafimet A81 torch are over achievers on the neck of the torch. There are slots in the clamps on the ripper and I could zip tie it, but I will wait on Harlow Ind. to get back to me on that.

The white line was made by standoffs. But all straight.

Attachment 7070

Also, from the last post, I will chop down the threaded rod on the standoffs and the holder end as well. It cleared OK, but the extra is not needed. They made it to fix even taller torches.

The one thing I'm always short of is time, so I think I'll try one. $20 isn't even one trip on an IL toll road:mad: S/F.....Ken M

I hear you on the time. Seems like a good guy and products are nice quality. He is making a part for my A81, so he must mill it all in-house or close by.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by everlastsupport

The circle guide I thought was going to be a problem.. Same as other Mike. NOT A PROBLEM AT ALL, PERFECT, the ring locks to the nozzle, and you open the bottom forks to hold it.

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Thanks for the update, Mike. I appreciate you test fitting this for us. I sent DeWayne a note last week too, to let him know about the thread and the interest in the A81 fit up. Sounds like he should have something sorted out soon for he rip guide.

Cheers
Mike

Quote:

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Originally Posted by posixPilot

Thanks for the update, Mike. I appreciate you test fitting this for us. I sent DeWayne a note last week too, to let him know about the thread and the interest in the A81 fit up. Sounds like he should have something sorted out soon for he rip guide.

Cheers
Mike

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Yes, it turned out the circle and stand-off work great with the A81 as is/advertised, and any other torch I am pretty sure. On the circle guide I meant to say the nozzle ring rides on top of the forks, you open them so the nozzle drops between them. Ring and forks do the work. See picture above to see the lines the stand-off made. Not and clean.

The only real issue was the fact I had the A81 trafimet torch, it seems to have a fatter neck than all the other torches.

He said he had two ideas but would be the end of the week, as they had a lot of commercial (dealer) orders to fill. I can wait for a custom part.

If I had to wait a couple days, it is probably made in America at his shop. He did not mention the second idea for the clamp, so I might be a beta tester for something it sounded like they were kicking around.

Either way. All products are safe (well A81/PP60 people in a week). If I ever get time, I will post pictures of results.

The circle guide is something I have immediate need for. I'll kludge up something to make do for now, but will eventually want one for my A81 torch. BTW, the A81 seems to suffer from the same problem I do with my size 14 feet.

Re: the rip tool, something like that's about as useful as a rip fence on a tablesaw. If you have a torch you really need something like that to help guide off of a straight edge.

Old machinist's joke: I bet I could make one for $80 and a couple of days' of my time.

Slartybarfa.

The circle guide it fine. The RIP front clamp is the problem for the A81 (size 14 torch). They have slots in the tops of the clamp, so it can be zip tied down. I did not try it, but the slots are there. Will wait on the new part.

For holes, the circle guide is fine. See pictures a few posts ago #14, that worked fine.

I have not heard back anything yet on the rip clamp but it's only Wed.. No major rush, but the RIP was the key part for me. Square to channel was the plan.

The circle guide works fine with the A81, it is the RIP front clamp that is too small. I have another torch I can put on it if I really need it, but like the A81.

I liked the machinist joke and sure that is why PosixPilot just ordered one too. The craftsmanship is nice and well worth the price.

Update on the Plasmahelper.com Ripper (not sure if that's the real name) and the A81 torch issue.

Harlow went with a larger clamp for the front to handle the A81 1 7/16" neck.

I received an email it this morning that is shipped yesterday (Friday) and my wife just handed it to me on Saturday morning (next day). That was fast.

So if you buy the ripper (I love that thing) and you have an A81 make sure you let them know you need the larger clamp. I am adding tape to mine so the rusty metal does not scratch up the aluminum fence too much.

Also, DeWayne is the person I dealt with, and I know they did the cad/cam/milling in-house, so a rare "Made in the USA" product.

I am happy with all the three items. If I was on a budget I would probably pass on the stand-off but it's nice. I used the ripper a couple times (with zip ties) and it is a must for me. The circle cutter I will not use a lot, but if I don't misplace it, I will use it on and off. Maybe more than I know now that I have it. Also the magnet allows me to stick it the cart so maybe I will not loose it (anyone seen my TIG finger).

Also, on the magnet, I might tap the magnet base for the circle cutter.

My score on the products for me is a 10 on all three.

Thanks Buggy Chief for the link. Thanks DeWayne for the product, service and mod.