Article/Blogs

Plasma cutter maintenance is a huge issue. It’s a bigger issue than maintenance on a TIG, MIG or Stick welder.  They generate huge amounts of particulates while cutting and a much of it goes into the air, and is pumped  right into the plasma cutters electronics while  the fan is running.  Much, if not all of the material is electrically conductive.   So, it is important to keep your Everlast PowerPlasma clean internally.  A regular monthly maintenance is required if it is being used regularly.  At the very least it should be done on a quarterly basis.

What’s wrong with this weld?  That’s the question I am asked frequently via email or on welding forums. Usually the first thing I do is scan the picture for tell-tale signs of at least some attempt at cleaning the metal.  Usually that is the culprit, at least in part.  Whether it’s steel or aluminum, precleaning  a weld is extremely important.  TIG welding is the process that is most sensitive to cleaning.   TIG is usually a clean process, yielding nice, clean welds that need little or no post weld cleaning.   But if the metal is not clean, it will show up very quickly.

With all the top “lists” out there today, I figured I’d create my own version on what to do with that old welder you have sitting in the corner gathering dust.  Anyone taking these seriously should be aware, that we are not responsible for what happens.

The last project that I typically recommend is not an obvious one, but never the less, an important one.  This one is like having a third arm for me.  Where ever you weld, you are going to have to deal with long and cumbersome pieces of metal.  There’s  usually no way that you will be ever  be able to build a welding table long enough to hold the length of metal you are using when lengths are 20 foot or longer.   Or if you have a cut off saw, or any sort of metal working tool such as an iron worker, you will need support on the end, maybe in several places.    What you need to make is an ad

Table time. Yes, the welding table is actually what I consider to be the third most important project you need to tackle after building a cart and a couple of project horses. Of course there are a wide variety of these tables available for purchase. But nothing can compare to the sheer satisfaction of making your own welding table.

Whether you decided that a welding cart project was too intense for your first project and went out and bought one, or you buckled down and made it through it with all 4 wheels making contact on the floor at the same time, it’s time to go on to your second project.

Nobody likes being told what to do. So, I am going to gently suggest a few beginning projects you need to consider first before you get too far ahead of yourself. If you’ve just bought your first welder, whether it’s a MIG, TIG or Stick welder (or some combination thereof), you need to have some where to put it where it will be serviceable, and portable around your work area. This is simply a welding cart.