PP 205. Plasme consumable lifetime question

[Ray C]

Hi All...

I have a PowerPro 205 and just cut some 3/32" sheet aluminum. The settings were 35 Amps and 35 PSI. After 4 feet of cutting it was making wide, messy cuts and the plasma tip hole was opened-up and ragged. I was using the wire nozzle spacer that comes with the torch and was using a guide to cut straight lines. -Nothing fancy. Seems like it wore-out pretty quick. A few questions...

Is there a chart of recommended settings for various metals and thicknesses?

When I replace the tip, should the inner electrode be replaced at the same time?

Are all plasma consumables created the same or are some better than others?

Thanks...

Ray

[Rambozo]

The settings were 35 Amps and 35 PSI. After 4 feet of cutting it was making wide, messy cuts and the plasma tip hole was opened-up and ragged. I was using the wire nozzle spacer that comes with the torch and was using a guide to cut straight lines.

Sounds way too low on the pressure. It depends on the torch you have. Check out the following video for a few tips and settings.

[Ray C]

Much thanks! Yep, pressure was too low and it's humid as heck today -and I don't have a dryer on the line... I'll take care of that.

Ray

Sounds way too low on the pressure. It depends on the torch you have. Check out the following video for a few tips and settings.

[Ray C]

OK, put a dryer in line and put the pressure up to 55 PSI. Everything's peachy now. Works good.

Thanks again...

[performance]

OK, put a dryer in line and put the pressure up to 55 PSI. Everything's peachy now. Works good.

Thanks again...

Hope the video helped. Glad you are getting the results you need now.

[Ray C]

BTW: The reason I was running at 35 PSI is because that was the recommended level in the instruction manual that came with the unit. The pressure was specified in a range (Pascal units) in which the mid-point converted to 35 PSI.

Anyhow, I made a welding cart of aluminum this weekend and also did 4 hours of 7018 stick work on 1/2" steel plate. The Power Pro 205 is doing fine but I probably should have got the next bigger model. Much of the AL TIGging this weekend was at 160-180 Amps which is the edge of the machine. I was staying with about a 50% duty cycle and the machine didn't hiccup. I like it. It's a keeper.

[redbeard]

So what color was the big box where you got that little dryer? I don't ever recall seeing those before.

[Rambozo]

BTW: The reason I was running at 35 PSI is because that was the recommended level in the instruction manual that came with the unit. The pressure was specified in a range (Pascal units) in which the mid-point converted to 35 PSI.

From what I understand the manuals shipped with the units are not the best. You can download better ones from the web, here:
http://www.everlastgenerators.com/manuals.php

[Ray C]

So what color was the big box where you got that little dryer? I don't ever recall seeing those before.

I got my dryer from a friend who happens to have one he salvaged. It's similar to this one but only had the dryer part. The desicant was saturated and I had to cook it a while in the toaster oven. Now I want to rig-up some valves so I can switch between dry air for plasma machine and normal air for general shop work. I think these things cost about 100 bucks so I'm happy to have got mine free...

[everlastsupport]

So what color was the big box where you got that little dryer? I don't ever recall seeing those before.

You mean this one? http://www.harborfreight.com/inline-...ter-68215.html

They work very well for the price, some people bake them back to the blue color. You can actually open them and replace the media too.

[performance]

Yep, Harbor Freight. 8.00. They have/had the replacement silica for it too. Good quality.

[ShaneJackson]

Great price at $8. Just wonder on quality. Almost everything I have bought from HF has been crap! Bought one of their mig 170's a while back and it worked great the first time I used it, ok the 2nd, and I had to open the unit and turn the wire to weld the 3rd time. I like HF's prices but not their quality. At least returning the crap is easy enough.

[everlastsupport]

Great price at $8. Just wonder on quality. Almost everything I have bought from HF has been crap! Bought one of their mig 170's a while back and it worked great the first time I used it, ok the 2nd, and I had to open the unit and turn the wire to weld the 3rd time. I like HF's prices but not their quality. At least returning the crap is easy enough.

That little water filter works quite well. I have a bunch of them I picked up at $4 on sale.

Over the years I have learned the good and the bad for me. There are websites with lists on them as well if you google or search here too. They have gotten better over time, the prices also have gone up a little. The old saying I guess (get what you pay for).

When I buy there I know it is a consumable. Also, the drill bits are a waste. I have a 4.5" grinder that is 8 years old and bought a coleman compressor from them maybe 5 years ago. Weird place for sure, but like you said easy to return something if you made a bad pick.