Sorry let me elaborate. Had posted my PrimeWeld machine torch for sale.
Then for kicks I ran it one last time after I pulled the Hypertherm off in anticipation of disassembling my table only for my test cut piece to do well. And like a good seller, shipped my torch right away since I had sold it and received funds.
I am not talking about leveling a machine I am talking about leveling the sheet metal.
You can’t assume the sheet metal is level just because it is setting on slats with torch marks all over them.
A plasma will only cut so close anyway
so if the machine is not level would you not want the sheet to be out of level the same amount?
Well maybe I am missing something but it sounds like the Primeweld worked better.
You’re not missing anything.
This is/was my point the entire time, and I took every single approach at trying to ensure it was Everything else contributing to the beveling, but yes in the end the PrimeWeld cut better.
And it’s taken me about a month and two weeks of trouble shooting and being down to realize it.
so I guess the real question is, is it the cutter or torch. did you try turning the torch 45 or 90 degrees?
That was one of the first things I did outside of all the factors I changed in my cut settings.
But yes, turned multiple ways using the “switch” as my indicator for knowing I rotated the torch within the mount.
Beveling still occurred up top. So that’s how Langmuir, Hypertherm, and I ruled out the torch itself.
Well if I could get better cuts with the Primeweld I guess you know what I would use.
Spent more and got less that kinda sucks
You run a PrimeWeld or Hypertherm?
I owned my PrimeWeld for 3 years, with 2 of those years on a CNC table.
The first year was with a PTM-60.
The second year (when the UPM-105 was released) I switched to that immediately.
So yeah, extensive use with a PrimeWeld.
The Hypertherm was just purchased 2 months ago and used for the first time just about a month ago. Torch was just purchased at the same time.
Does it not make since for them to match as close as they can?
I have a Razor Weld and I feel it cuts good for the price point. I have thought of upgrading but I also not sure I need too. I thought at some point I would upgrade to a Hypertherm, but as time goes on I am thinking maybe Everlast or something else less expensive.
For now I will stick with the RW.
I wish you luck, I would be pissed if I spent all that money and my cut quality went down. Lets hope maybe there is something you missed (does not seem like it) and you get the HT to cut better than it is now.
Discussions like this one helps people decide on brand to buy.
If you speak to them again, ask them which component of their torch introduces the 8 degrees of bevel. If they say it’s inherent in plasma cutting due to arc characteristics, ask why/how your PW torch is able to countermeasure that inherent trait.
If 8 degrees is acceptable at this thickness, what’s acceptable at 1"? If the bevel is caused by arc shape, that deviation should vary by metal thickness. Is there some chart they have that shows the deviation by thickness? That would be intereesting to see if they do have it.
I know this doesn’t help solve your issue, but maybe it will result in them thinking harder about the issue and having another avenue to consider in your case.
I did.
My phone conversation yesterday lasted over a good half hour in that, I emphasized how this whole ordeal was brought on by the fact that -
$700 plasma cutter does square cuts
$2500 plasma cutter doesn’t
He said this is why they don’t publish figures over what’s acceptable and what isn’t, as there are too many factors that can alter said cut results.
To add, he said the main points for buying a Hypertherm over the other stuff (for this level of plasma cutting) he said -
Reliability
Consumable life
And one other thing I forget about
There is no “secret sauce” that makes the Hypertherm cut much better than a non-Hyperytherm, not in this group of machines
Ok, so something prompted me to fire everything up.
Apparently, a lot of people have this issue (if you google one sided bevel with Hypertherm).
A few theeads pop up on Plasmaspyder and on an 8 year old thread someone suggested replacing the o rings (and lubing them).
I don’t have extra OEM o rings, and I don’t have the proper lubricant, but I used a tiny bit of sil glyde and spun the rings around a bit.
Did a test cut, and suddenly my +8 degrees of bevel on the top side turned to 3 degrees, with the remaining sides measuring at about 2.
So, I’ll have to confirm repeatability this weekend but on some 16 gauge and hope it remains consistent. If so, this whole ordeal was an o ring issue.
Here is my results from today
Hypertherm G 1650
100A
3/8 Rusty plate
57 IPM
No dross to speak of
Machine torch, aged consumables
You know now that you mention that, it seems like I remember reading about the O-ring issue. I had forgotten all about it.
Maybe you should share your findings with Hypertherm sounds like they need to update their troubleshooting info.
I ordered a 5-pack along with their “lube” but I’ll still be doing a few test cuts tomorrow just to see.
I am reading this topic from this post first…I don’t need to hear this.
