How do you like your A81?

[redbeard]

I'm thinking about getting an A81 torch, and would appreciate some feedback from anybody that has one.

How do the consumables hold up at higher amperages? I know they are spendy, but if they last quite a bit longer than the WSD-60 over 50A, might be worth it. Anybody found a cheaper source than river-weld for the consumables?

Does the long snout make for better bevel cuts and gouging?

Any other pros or cons to consider, general comments or experience?

TIA, Ed

[performance]

Ed,
Which unit are you referring to? The A81 is useless unless you purchase the smaller consumables for the torch. But if it is a SC50 or something, it won't fit. The connections are not the same.

[redbeard]

PP60. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the A81 is the upgrade torch you sell for that unit.

[redbeard]

So nobody's got nuthin' on this?

[Jake98]

I think that's the torch that came with my PP70. If it is, I like it.

[performance]

New units in the next shipment should have an s-75 if they do not now. We are dropping the HF start. Going to the blowback start same as the PP50 currently has. This will eliminate interferance, and reduce maintenance.

[redbeard]

It would be the one that looks like this:



I'm pretty happy with the WSD-60 that came with mine, but it burns through consumables pretty fast at higher amperages and you really can't get much of a low angle for gouging or bevel cuts. That's why I'm asking.

[performance]

It would be the one that looks like this:



I'm pretty happy with the WSD-60 that came with mine, but it burns through consumables pretty fast at higher amperages and you really can't get much of a low angle for gouging or bevel cuts. That's why I'm asking.

What's your air pressure running and what kind of extra dryer do you have on the input side? Also what size holes are your tips?

[redbeard]

What's your air pressure running and what kind of extra dryer do you have on the input side? Also what size holes are your tips?

60PSI

filled with dessicant.

.9mm <40A, 1.0 <50A and 1.2 >50A or if I'm too lazy to change it.

[hooda]

I had a PP70 with the A81 (sold yesterday), and I think it's the cat's pajamas! Consumables aren't as bad as you may think, compared to other units. Compared to the Thermal Arc 151 that I had before this, the consumable life is WAY better, and WAY cheaper. I think it was $14.00 for a tip and electrode for the old unit at the LWS. You ain't gonna be near that much for A81 parts.

[Jason]

I had an A81 but only used it like twice. I didn't mind it and actually would had preferred it over the torch our other name plasma cutter has.

[Luis]

Old thread, but still news:

The A81 was offered as an INCENTIVE upgrade on purchase of my powerpro 256, and has given me a hell of a lot of trouble.

Good:
This torch is a pilot arc, and zips through thin sheet metal at low amperage like butter.

Bad:
The ergonomics of that torch are questionable. The body is Banana-shaped and WAY MUCH bigger than comparable 80 Amp torches.
Spare parts and consumables are more expensive than comparable torches, I wonder why.

If I go to heavier stuff like 1/4 inch, then the Nozzle Cap overheats and the plastic coating bubbles up. There seems to happen some internal arcing going on, I can't tell, but I have not gotten ANY reasonable mileage out of the
"Nozzle retaining cap PC0115 Trafimet orginal A81" which I bought 4 times now at $18 each.
The last one I burned up in less than 2 days, and I have really no good explanation why that is happening.
Air pressure and flow is good, at least 70 psi, I do not drag the tip across the base metal, I have done my homework.

Bottom line: Expensive in purchase and even more expensive in maintenance. I'm looking into a Panasonic P-80A.

[performance]

Luis, these are ERGONOMICALLY designed. They are way better in feel and movement than the competition. Additionally, I have used HT and TA products and their torches in 80 amp are just about as big. Spare parts and consumables here in the US are actually cheaper! Here's an 80 amp kit from Hypertherm at 275.00 for comparison. You get very little.http://www.bakersgas.com/HYP850880.h...FQWFnQodl0QA4A

And here's the equivalent cup in HT that is a good bit more...http://www.bakersgas.com/HYP220854.html

A lot of problems are due to the fact that customers fail to run an air dryer on the product, which is a requirement.

Trafimet makes these parts in different countries. If you can get hold of an original Italian made nozzle, the material may be slightly different.

[Titan winch]

Presently in the pilot arc HF style there are. 4 choices the red handled Panasonic p80 is basically the same as the blue / grey torch that some customers prefer for the 70 / 80 amp although consumable life while less expensive does wear faster.
The innotech L81 uses the same consumables as the A 81 trafimet. Not sure about USA but all our consumables for A81 are genuine trafimet parts
Cheers

[zoama]

I use the P80 torch on my PP60... I don't know if it's compatible with the 256. It's plain, simple and gives no trouble. The roller guide is a must have for me.
Most of my use is between 25 and 40 amps @ 70psi with these 1.1mm tips http://www.ebay.com/itm/P-80-Panason...item5d271c7cf8
At my current rate of use this consumable set will last me about 20 years since I don't use it for a living and one set has lasted a little over a year. I still have the 1.3mm tips that came with the torch.

I put the roller guide against the straight edge to get a nice clean cut. 4'x8' sheet of 11ga

[everlastsupport]

I have both the A81 and P80 as well. I like the P80 since the consumables are less money. Both cut the same to me, the A81 does feel better in the hand (other than the safety switch). I lean to the P80 as it was also stated, it is just dead simple. I abuse the P80 all the time, would not stick the A81 in a tight corner and mess up the retaining nozzle. Parts are more so you have to be careful with the A81.

Both good. I like both. If you ever sell the unit to upgrade, the A81 will sell the cutter for you. Very clean looking too.