Very first weld I've ever made

[performance]

Use DC. Only use AC for welding TIG in aluminum.

[craig]

Thanks for the help everyone, I found out why the plasma torch wasn't working to well while I was checking the spark gap. See below.


It was a easy repair and now it cuts very well


Thanks Parkour, looks like I'm going to really enjoy playing with the PP256 and talking with people on this forum.
Mike, no I didn't grove the angle iron. I just lined them up and tacked them together, that was 3/32 6013 at 100 DC Amps as far as the penetration goes I dont remember what I did but I do remember I was very surprised how fast the rod burned away. I've been reading these forums and weldingtipsandtricks for about 4 months trying to learn as best I could before the PP256 got here. Now the hard part, learning it for real.

I will try lower air pressure and travel speeds for the plasma now that its working correctly. Mark had told me of a great air dryer for the plasma cutter but I cant afford one just yet but I will most certainly get one.
I was mistaken when I said I was using A/C with the 6013.
I've always had a desire to learn to weld and always had much respect for those who can because I know its a art and skill. Happy welding everyone!

[everlastsupport]

Your unit will weld AC and DC, DC is the proper choice for 6013 on steel.

The inline disposable dryers Harbor Freight has are $7.99 and last for a fair amount of time, and 3M has them for 15-20. I would get a couple so you have a spare. Some people dry them out in an oven to save money, I have not tried this.

Your will probably want to re-locate that cut wire if you can, the cover louver/vents cut it (sliced on the circuit board) when the cover was taken on or off. Or you can just remember to expand the cover at the bottom then you need to remove and replace it (what I do).

[craig]

Thanks Mike, Yes I tried to figure out another route for the wires but there is no way to move them as they are too tight. I'll get one of the dryers you mentioned asap.

[everlastsupport]

Thanks Mike, Yes I tried to figure out another route for the wires but there is no way to move them as they are too tight. I'll get one of the dryers you mentioned asap.

As long as you remember to expand/fan out the bottom if you ever need to remove the cover, you really should never need to take the cover off. If a unit took a hit in shipping on that side there's probably a chance it could do what you had too. But glad you got it fixed.

I have see that dryer on sale for $4.99 as well. When I did last time I grab probably 5 of them. They work very good. I have a big commercial dryer for auto-paint, but these little things right behind the machine are great.

[craig]

I'm just looking at HF and Northern tools right now, they are both close to me here.
I want to get the one Mark had mentioned but its $80-90.
I've been a electronics tech for 20+ years so the repair was simple, I investigated slightly notching the circuit board and tack the wire in the notch with silicon but decided against that. I'll do what you do and expand the cover if it ever has to come off again.
I see there is extended consumables for the Trafimet torch, does EL sell them? I have a hard time seeing where I'm cutting with the regular shorter consumables.

Thanks
Craig

[everlastsupport]

The bigger filter is a must for all your tools. Here is the quick fix. I still run them with my $$ sep/fiter. But I am in Florida and one compressor runs all. So maybe you do not need it. Consumables will last longer too.

http://www.harborfreight.com/inline-...ter-68215.html