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Metalworking (rec.crafts.metalworking) Discuss various aspects of working with metal, such as machining, welding, metal joining, screwing, casting, hardening/tempering, blacksmithing/forging, spinning and hammer work, sheet metal work. |
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#1
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Plasma Torch Troubles
I have a Chicago (something) Plasma torch from Harbor Freight and it
keeps dying on me...you kind of get to rely upon the fun tools in the shop! The current issue is that it will spark the pilot arc but not continue to burn (it's like it blows it out, or something doesn't cycle...bad transistor or relay?)...I cannot find anything about the schematics for it and I'm tired of taking it in for 4 weeks to get a $20 part fix and a $80 labor bill. These things have to be simple enough...just need some diagnostic help. I would also like to know about other "common" issues the I may encounter and their fix. |
#2
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Plasma Torch Troubles
DrO wrote:
I have a Chicago (something) Plasma torch from Harbor Freight and it keeps dying on me...you kind of get to rely upon the fun tools in the shop! The current issue is that it will spark the pilot arc but not continue to burn (it's like it blows it out, or something doesn't cycle...bad transistor or relay?)...I cannot find anything about the schematics for it and I'm tired of taking it in for 4 weeks to get a $20 part fix and a $80 labor bill. If you put a daub of fingernail polish on all the parts, you'll know the one that they replace. |
#3
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Plasma Torch Troubles
"DrO" wrote: (clip) The current issue is that it will spark the pilot arc but not continue to burn (it's like it blows it out, or something doesn't cycle...bad transistor or relay?)... ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ You ARE aware, I hope, that the electrode and nozzle on the torch are consumable. Have you examined/replaced those? If the orifice in the nozzle gets too large, it will stop working. The electrode (on mine it's a steel tip with spiral grooves around it) burns back as it is used. Eventually, it starts acting the way you describe. Even if those are not the cause of your present problem, you need to have spares on hand. |
#4
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Plasma Torch Troubles
Jim Stewart wrote:
DrO wrote: I have a Chicago (something) Plasma torch from Harbor Freight and it keeps dying on me...you kind of get to rely upon the fun tools in the shop! The current issue is that it will spark the pilot arc but not continue to burn (it's like it blows it out, or something doesn't cycle...bad transistor or relay?)...I cannot find anything about the schematics for it and I'm tired of taking it in for 4 weeks to get a $20 part fix and a $80 labor bill. If you put a daub of fingernail polish on all the parts, you'll know the one that they replace. I don't know what torch your plasma has but mine has a Trafimet/Selco S30 IIRC and I found out a design problem by debugging the workings when it failed to play ball and I thought the electronics had failed . The internal electrode is pushed back by the air pressure when the plasma is initialised and the repeated impact of the consumable electrode on the back housing upset the material causing it to pinch the retracting shaft that the electrode was screwed into, eventually the pinch was enough to prevent the electrode going back to the start position so the electronics didn't see arc initiation and so no operation. Once I had realised what the problem was a couple of quick passes with a small 3 corner scrapper sorted the burr and no further problems till the next time but then I may know what the problem is. |
#5
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Plasma Torch Troubles
On Aug 26, 3:41*pm, Jim Stewart wrote:
DrO wrote: I have a Chicago (something)Plasmatorchfrom Harbor Freight and it keeps dying on me...you kind of get to rely upon the fun tools in the shop! The current issue is that it will spark the pilot arc but not continue to burn (it's like it blows it out, or something doesn't cycle...bad transistor or relay?)...I cannot find anything about the schematics for it and I'm tired of taking it in for 4 weeks to get a $20 part fix and a $80 labor bill. If you put a daub of fingernail polish on all the parts, you'll know the one that they replace. Funny you should say that...I did it the second time and I got ribbed kind of hard as to the color of choice (don't use your kid's neon pink) |
#6
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Plasma Torch Troubles
On Aug 26, 5:51*pm, "Leo Lichtman"
wrote: "DrO" wrote: *(clip) *The current issue is that it will spark the pilot arc but not continue to burn (it's like it blows it out, or something doesn't cycle...bad transistor or relay?)... ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ You ARE aware, I hope, that the electrode and nozzle on thetorchare consumable. *Have you examined/replaced those? *If the orifice in the nozzle gets too large, it will stop working. *The electrode (on mine it's a steel tip with spiral grooves around it) burns back as it is used. *Eventually, it starts acting the way you describe. Even if those are not the cause of your present problem, you need to have spares on hand. I change out two new nozzles and electrodes, thinking that was it...still exhibits the same with new parts |
#7
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Plasma Torch Troubles
On Aug 26, 7:05*pm, David Billington
wrote: Jim Stewart wrote: DrO wrote: I have a Chicago (something)Plasmatorchfrom Harbor Freight and it keeps dying on me...you kind of get to rely upon the fun tools in the shop! The current issue is that it will spark the pilot arc but not continue to burn (it's like it blows it out, or something doesn't cycle...bad transistor or relay?)...I cannot find anything about the schematics for it and I'm tired of taking it in for 4 weeks to get a $20 part fix and a $80 labor bill. If you put a daub of fingernail polish on all the parts, you'll know the one that they replace. I don't know whattorchyourplasmahas but mine has a Trafimet/Selco S30 IIRC and I found out a design problem by debugging the workings when it failed to play ball and I thought the electronics had failed . The internal electrode is pushed back by the air pressure when the *plasma is initialised and the repeated impact of the consumable electrode on the back housing upset the material causing it to pinch the retracting shaft that the electrode was screwed into, eventually the pinch was enough to prevent the electrode going back to the start position so the electronics didn't see *arc initiation and so no operation. Once I had realised what the problem was a couple of quick passes with a small 3 corner scrapper sorted the burr and no further problems till the next time but then I may know what the problem is. I found a picture of the air cooled electrode with a consumable breakdown...(mine is the center consumable option) http://www.plang-daichi.com/thai/pro...met_plasma.php On what part in the picture did you find the flaw? |
#8
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Plasma Torch Troubles
On Aug 26, 7:05*pm, David Billington
wrote: Jim Stewart wrote: DrO wrote: I have a Chicago (something)Plasmatorchfrom Harbor Freight and it keeps dying on me...you kind of get to rely upon the fun tools in the shop! The current issue is that it will spark the pilot arc but not continue to burn (it's like it blows it out, or something doesn't cycle...bad transistor or relay?)...I cannot find anything about the schematics for it and I'm tired of taking it in for 4 weeks to get a $20 part fix and a $80 labor bill. If you put a daub of fingernail polish on all the parts, you'll know the one that they replace. I don't know whattorchyourplasmahas but mine has a Trafimet/Selco S30 IIRC and I found out a design problem by debugging the workings when it failed to play ball and I thought the electronics had failed . The internal electrode is pushed back by the air pressure when the *plasma is initialised and the repeated impact of the consumable electrode on the back housing upset the material causing it to pinch the retracting shaft that the electrode was screwed into, eventually the pinch was enough to prevent the electrode going back to the start position so the electronics didn't see *arc initiation and so no operation. Once I had realised what the problem was a couple of quick passes with a small 3 corner scrapper sorted the burr and no further problems till the next time but then I may know what the problem is. the electrode PN is ERGOCUT S 45 |
#9
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Plasma Torch Troubles
Well, I'll say what everybody is thinking: you got what you paid for.
Good luck, but keep your expectations low. Bob -- Nota for President |
#10
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Plasma Torch Troubles
On Aug 27, 10:31*am, Bob Engelhardt wrote:
Well, I'll say what everybody is thinking: *you got what you paid for. Good luck, but keep your expectations low. Bob -- Nota for President LOL, yah I know...but wife will have fit when I show up with the Miller Bobcat! WHERE DID YOU GET THE MONEY FOR THAT! Women can be so funny at times. That is why I don't buy JET tools anymore...unless I repaint them black. She saw the shiney white thing in the middle of the garage one day after spending a $100 on garage saleing for plastic lawn ornaments and had the never to yell at me about my 15th saw purchase...96 cent cans of black paint from Walmart...I buy them by the case |
#11
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Plasma Torch Troubles
This my sound simple. But have you made sure your ground cable is good. My cheapy does what you describe if and when I forget to clip the ground lead on. DrO wrote: On Aug 27, 10:31 am, Bob Engelhardt wrote: Well, I'll say what everybody is thinking: you got what you paid for. Good luck, but keep your expectations low. Bob -- Nota for President LOL, yah I know...but wife will have fit when I show up with the Miller Bobcat! WHERE DID YOU GET THE MONEY FOR THAT! Women can be so funny at times. That is why I don't buy JET tools anymore...unless I repaint them black. She saw the shiney white thing in the middle of the garage one day after spending a $100 on garage saleing for plastic lawn ornaments and had the never to yell at me about my 15th saw purchase...96 cent cans of black paint from Walmart...I buy them by the case |
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