PowerPlasma 70 review

[GWD]

Everlast Power Plasma 70 quick review. December 2010.

The unit arrived two business days after ordered. The box and contents were immaculate. Nothing out of place, no damage.

It is a fairly heavy. I'd guess around 60 - 70 pounds. No shoulder carry strap on this machine. It makes the PowerArc 200 look miniature.

Included was a box of spare consumables, fuses, compressed air water trap/filter, power plug, and a pleasant surprise - a roller guide.

The power plug didn't fit any of my shop's outlets so a "dryer-type" plug was picked up at the hardware store. Wasn't expecting a plug anyway so that was a bonus of sorts. The 6.5HP air compressor is on a separate circuit 220V breaker so all is fine.

The water trap was appreciated but the mounting bracket for it was useless. A screw that screws into the case completely conflicts with a screw that screws into the water trap. It was easy enough to fab a mount out of some aluminum angle and then it went on perfectly. One would think that a workable mount would be a given. Maybe I missed something.

A brass close nipple and 90 degree elbow were put on the "in" side of the water trap to hold the included quick attach air hose fitting so it couples from the bottom. Less stress on the trap and mount than a horizontal hook-up. If an inline desiccant filter is used it will be put right there.

So the only extras needed for my application were a 220V clothes dryer plug, 3 inch piece of aluminum angle, and a couple of brass fittings. Total cost around $20.

The clear plastic air tubing from the trap to the input on the machine is attached by push connect fittings rather than the hose clamps pictured on the website. I would have replaced them with compression fittings and sleeves but the machine would have had to have been taken apart to change the input fitting on the case. Maybe it will be done later when, or if, the push fittings spring a leak. (Had enough of leaky push air fittings with Firestone RideRite air springs on my truck. They were all replaced with compression fittings.)

Finally got to test the cutting function out late in the day. What a beast! As common in plasma cutter reviews, it sliced through metal like butter - 5/8 inch bar stock was the largest that was handy and it made quick work of repeated test slices. Ran it at 70 amps and 70 psi as a max stress test. 1/8 inch plate was like writing with a ball point pen with 50 amps and 50 psi.

My O/A cutting skills were never very crisp and much time was spent grinding. That will be greatly reduced with the sharp edges and smoothness of the plasma cuts. Straight lines are much more accurate and chalk is much easier to follow.

The included Chinglish instructions were completely worthless. The *.pdf download from the Everlast site was old and approximate at best. Fortunately, the operation is rather intuitive. The photo and features on the Everlast website were accurate - except for the air supply connections as noted above.

Wire guides are listed as available for the PP 60 but none are listed for the PP 70. As a beginner to plasma cutting, a wire guide would be nice to have been included. Slightly canting the torch was too easily done without noticing. However, it was not that difficult keeping the correct distance from the work - similar to long-arching with 60xx.

The stinger is rather bulky and heavy so, even when holding it with the off hand, it is restrictive. It slipped out of my hand once and jerked the torch, ruining the perfection of the cut. Practice is needed.

With a five year warranty this plasma cutter should outlast me at my age.

OK, so it didn't turn out to be a quick review. Posted on Welding Web, Tractor by Net, and Everlast Forum for those considering an Everlast unit.

[performance]

GWD,

Thanks for the great post!

A few comments of response.

The manual online is relatively new, unless you downloaded an older supercut manual. They do not include the latest push to connect fittings, but that is fairly self explanatory. The controls are otherwise unchanged and are in same common arrangements on PowerPlasma 50-80, and similar on the Supercuts, though not identical.

The bracket issue seems to be transitory, depending upon the source of the filters that our factory supplies. The brackets may need to be slotted on the end to fit the screw holes.

THROW THE PLUG SUPPLIED AWAY! This goes for ANYONE that gets a unit with a small 110/220 20 amp plug. I can't figure out why it keeps on getting put in the box of accessories, but it is not supposed to be there. IF ANYONE gets it, then it should NOT be used. WE do NOT supply plugs at this time on any of our units. THE PROPER PLUG IS A NEMA 6-50!!!! (not shouting at anyone, just trying to grab people's attention!)

The only issue we have possibly had with the new push to connect fittings (which have greatly improved things) is just not getting them pushed in, or they are cut at an slight angle, and not square...all which are easily resolved. But simply, compared to what WAS there it is a major improvement. (You'll have to trust me on this.)

Our torches are lighter and more maneuverable than several name brand companies, and far less bulky. But to the initiated, it came definitely seem like it is heavy. One thing you'll note regarding our torches is that the arc is more visible and easily seen, allowing you to follow a cut much more easily.


In case you don't have the right manual downloaded (I get confused myself sometimes), here is the link:http://www.everlastgenerators.com/do...Plasma%202.pdf

It was published for the November 09 release of the current series plasma cutters.

[GWD]

Thanks for the reply. The new manual is indeed updated in several areas. You may want to check the link on the PP70 page because the "old" manual was just downloaded last week.

Any news on wire guides for the PP70 torch? The new manual shows a very different PP60 torch for which guides are available. Thanks.

[performance]

No, the wire guides are for the PP60 torch and PP 50 only. They won't fit the 70 torch. The reason they may be shown, is that the 60 and 70 torch components are similar, and almost identical in construction, so only one is used. The only difference is size.

[GWD]

No, the wire guides are for the PP60 torch and PP 50 only. They won't fit the 70 torch. The reason they may be shown, is that the 60 and 70 torch components are similar, and almost identical in construction, so only one is used. The only difference is size.

No guides were shown for the PP70 or in the accessories area of the website. I just asked in hopes something was available somewhere or that the PP60 ones would fit. Sort of like training wheels on a bicycle when just learning.

[geezer]

There is a "site wheel" available for that torch, does the same thing as a wire standoff. Check out the canadian web site for it under plasma cutter consumables.

[GWD]

There is a "site wheel" available for that torch, does the same thing as a wire standoff. Check out the canadian web site for it under plasma cutter consumables.

Yes, I referred to it as a "roller guide" in the original post. It was nice to see included. Everlast calls it a rolling guide - close enough. The one sold on the site is all brass and the one included with the PP 70 has a plastic ring.

It should work for straight lines using a piece of bar stock for the roller to run against. Haven't tried that process yet.

I was thinking the wire standoffs would be good for freehand following a chalk line. Being new to this process it is only my imagination that is being used rather than actual experience.

[geezer]

Yes, I referred to it as a "roller guide" in the original post. It was nice to see included. Everlast calls it a rolling guide - close enough. The one sold on the site is all brass and the one included with the PP 70 has a plastic ring.

It should work for straight lines using a piece of bar stock for the roller to run against. Haven't tried that process yet.

I was thinking the wire standoffs would be good for freehand following a chalk line. Being new to this process it is only my imagination that is being used rather than actual experience.

You can adapt that by taking the wheel legs off and making new longer legs that just have a stub end or other shapes like a ski, won't move as smooth but will change direction easier