256 Plasma Question

[wheelrdealer]

I have a Everlast 256 that I use mostly for Tig. It tig welds great. I don't use the plasma cutter much so I must be doing something wrong.

Cutting 3/16 plate, Voltage set at 38, Air PSI 60, Torch is in the postive port. The air is dry and coming from an 8 hp compressor with a 60 gal volume tank. All of my green knobs are shut off and the machine is switched to cut.

The pilot ark works fine. The torch will cut 18 gauge fine. As a test I cut the numbers 1 2 3 4 in sime 18 gauge and it cuts like butter.

When I try to cut the 3/16 the torch cuts about 1/3 the way through and then does not seem to penetrate any further. I tried restarting, letting the edge heat up like you would if using a small cutting torch but it would not cut through. The work clamp has a good connection to the work.



The angle iron and clamps are my guide. But you can see it did not cut all the way through. Cuts the thin metal with no problems.

Any ideas are greatly appreciated.

Bill

[performance]

What torch/ Unit do you have? 2013?

Torch is in WRONG port. Have you downloaded and fully read the manual located online on our site under the manuals section at the top?

Air pressure sounds low and you'd need to turn up the amps to max to get the best test.

[zoama]

You're only cutting with the pilot arc due to the torch being in the wrong port. Post a picture of your torch please.

[performance]

You may have also damaged your torch by using the wrong polarity...definitely probably toasted a consumable.

[wheelrdealer]

Mark:

I will look when I get to the shop tomorrow.

thanks,

Bill

[wheelrdealer]

I made a mistake in my original post. The tourch was connected to the (-) port. All I did was disconnect my tig tourch and plug in the Plasma. I was hopping it was something simple like opperator error.

It mey be tomorrow before I can post a picture of the tourch.

Thanks,

Bill

I have a Everlast 256 that I use mostly for Tig. It tig welds great. I don't use the plasma cutter much so I must be doing something wrong.

Cutting 3/16 plate, Voltage set at 38, Air PSI 60, Torch is in the postive port. The air is dry and coming from an 8 hp compressor with a 60 gal volume tank. All of my green knobs are shut off and the machine is switched to cut.

The pilot ark works fine. The torch will cut 18 gauge fine. As a test I cut the numbers 1 2 3 4 in sime 18 gauge and it cuts like butter.

When I try to cut the 3/16 the torch cuts about 1/3 the way through and then does not seem to penetrate any further. I tried restarting, letting the edge heat up like you would if using a small cutting torch but it would not cut through. The work clamp has a good connection to the work.



The angle iron and clamps are my guide. But you can see it did not cut all the way through. Cuts the thin metal with no problems.

Any ideas are greatly appreciated.

Bill

[wheelrdealer]

You're only cutting with the pilot arc due to the torch being in the wrong port. Post a picture of your torch please.

Zoama585:

Here are the pictures of the torch. The consumables are toast. I have replacements but wanted you to see the torch as it was after the attempted cut.

Any ideas are appreciated.

BR

[Gman]

isn't there supposed to be a ceramic cup on the end?
pn# cv0076 in the manual?

[Big Paulie]

Wow, never thought about running a torch without the ceramic shield, but I would bet that is what it might look like. Kinda like Chernobyl, without the containment (Sorry Oleg).

I think if the polarity were reversed, the actual nozzle would not even be there anymore. Like a TIG torch would melt away the Tungsten.

I bet Gman is right, assembly issue?

[performance]

What does your swirl ring look like?

Check the cables in the work clamp and the work clamp dinse and GRIND an area for the work clamp to attach.

[Grandslam99]

The pictures look like my A81 torch that I ordered as an option with my PP256. My A81 has a label by the trigger on the LEFT side of the torch which states it is an A81. My unit also came with a “flow gauge” to set the volume of air through the torch. Very DRY air is needed to keep the consumables happy. 60 psi is too low for the A81 torch.

[everlastsupport]

Make sure the swirl ring is there and right side up. Also, the containing nozzle is on the torch. And it is a little toasty.

[wheelrdealer]

Make sure the swirl ring is there and right side up. Also, the containing nozzle is on the torch. And it is a little toasty.

Here is the A81 disassembled, new consumables ready to install. Any suggestions on where to start to correct this problem? What is a good basic starting set up for 3/16 mild steel? I have a peice of 3/16th I need to cut an arch in for a frame fishplate. Would like to do it with a plasma versus the zip wheel and grinding it down to final shape.

[everlastsupport]

Amps can be low for 3/32" if you like. Make sure the swirl ring has the holes toward the tip/electrode, not the torch. Air pressure around 72 should be fine. The bad consumables, Mark might want to chime in, are you sure you have no moisture in the tank? Do not worry about the nozzle, I've gotten in corners and had blow back mess them up, they still will work fine.

For the guys that asked about the nozzle, lower left corner, looks a little rough. I would grind the end smooth (black part off)

[zoama]

Please note that air pressure needs to be 72 psi while cutting. The pressure will be higher when the air is not flowing. To set the working pressure, turn the postflow to max, then with the torch pointed in a safe direction, tap the trigger just long enough to start the air flowing and adjust the regulator to maintain 72 psi while the air is flowing. After setting the pressure, return the postflow to about 10 seconds to prolong the life of your consumables. I'd use about 35 amps cutting 3/16. Move the torch as fast as it cuts through for the cleanest cut. The faster you move the torch without skipping, the cleaner your cut will be.

[performance]

There's no harm at running at max amps or close to it. The problem with lower amperage is that you have to drop down in size of the orifice to get the most stable arc and highest quality cut. The cut tips are probably good for up to 80 amps, so at 60, you are already down on amperage. Going lower can really start to affect cut quality. A higher amperage cut will also be a faster cut.

[wheelrdealer]

Thanks , I never thought about using post flow to set the air flow. All good suggestions I will try them tomorrow.

Mark

Thanks for the advice I will try it tomorrow.

Thanks

[Gman]

Just to be clear,

Is the torch pictured supose to have the cv0076 part?
Mine does and is chiped, Can I run with out it?


It looks like this one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281006865866...84.m1438.l2649

[performance]

Yes yours is supposed to have it, if it is an s 75 and yes you need it.
It insulates the torch head and protects it. Why kind of "chip" do you have?

The A81 pictured above is different and does not use one.

[Gman]