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• During cutting, the CUTTING TIP must be kept in contact with the workpiece. If contact is lost, the arc will
automatically stop (the post flow air continues to run, cooling the PLASMA TORCH).
• Once started, the cutting arc remains on as long as the trigger is pressed, unless the PLASMA TORCH is withdrawn
from the workpiece or torch motion is too slow. Keep moving while cutting. Cut at a steady speed without pausing.
Maintain the cutting speed so that the arc lag is about 30° behind the travel direction (Fig. B).
• Adjust the torch speed so sparks go through the metal and out the bottom of the cut at that angle.
• If sparks are being blown upward and back at the PLASMA TORCH CUTTING TIP, your torch travel speed is too fast,
decrease your travel speed.
• Pause at the edge (end of your cut) until the arc has cut completely through the workpiece.
• To shut off the PLASMA TORCH, simply release the control switch. When the switch is released a post-flow will occur.
If the torch trigger is pressed during the post-flow, the pilot arc will restart.
• Refer to the TROUBLESHOOTING section of this operating manual should the PLASMA TORCH or plasma cutting
machine not operate as expected (pages 20-23).
NOTE:
If sparks are being blown upward and back at the PLASMA TORCH CUTTING TIP, your torch travel speed is
too fast, decrease your travel speed.
PIERCING WITH A HAND TORCH
NOTE:
If necessary to make a cut on a metal sheet which is thicker than the maximum piercing capacity (without an
edge start) make a 1/4” hole using an electric drill to start cutting.
• The hand torch can pierce up to 1/2“ thick steel.
• When piercing metal thinner than 5/16”, use a straight pierce, holding the torch perpendicular (90°) to the
workpiece (Fig. C).
• When piercing metal 5/16” or thicker, use a rolling pierce. Hold the PLASMA TORCH at approximately a 30 ° angle
from the workpiece so that blow back particles blow away from the PLASMA TORCH CUTTING TIP (and operator)
rather than directly back into it (Fig. D).
• Complete the pierce off the cutting line and then continue the cut onto the line. Hold the PLASMA TORCH
perpendicular to the workpiece after the pierce is complete (Fig. C).
• Clean spatter and scale from the SHIELD CUP and the CUTTING TIP as soon as possible. Spraying or dipping the
SHIELD CUP in anti-spatter compound will minimize the amount of scale which adheres to it.
• Refer to the TROUBLESHOOTING section of this operating manual should the PLASMA TORCH or plasma cutting
machine not operate as expected (pages 20-23).
CUTTING EXPANDED METAL
• To cut grates or expanded metal (interrupted cut), press the Cutting Mode Selector button (8) to switch the machine to
interrupted cut mode. The interrupted cut light (8A) will illuminate.
• Cutting expanded metal wears out consumables more quickly. Be sure to return to normal cut mode before cutting
solid metal again.
Fig. C
Fig. D