Prest-O-Lite 550, Instruction Manual

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4.5 operaTInG TecHnIQues
1. piercing - Materials (up to 1/4-in. thick) may be pierced
with the torch touching the work. When piercing thicker
materials (up to 3/16-in. aluminum or 1/4-in. stainless
or carbon steel) immediately raise the torch to 1/16-in.
standoff after initiating the cutting arc. This will reduce
the chance of spatter from entering the torch and pre-
vent the possibility of welding the tip to the plate. The
torch should be angled at about 30
°
when starting to
pierce, and then straightened after accomplishing the
pierce.
2. Grate cutting - For rapid restarts, such as grate or
heavy mesh cutting, do not release the torch switch.
This avoids the 2 second preflow portion of the cutting
cycle.
4.6 common cuTTInG proBlems
Listed below are common cutting problems followed by the
probable cause of each. If problems are determined to be
caused by the Prest-O-Lite
® 550, refer to the maintenance
section of this manual. If the problem is not corrected
after referring to the maintenance section, contact your
Prest-O-Lite representative.
a. Insufficient penetration.
1. Cutting speed too fast.
2. Damaged cutting nozzle.
3. Improper air pressure.
B. main arc extinguishes.
1. Cutting speed too slow.
c. Dross formation.
(In some materials and thick-
nesses, it may be impossible to get dross-free
cuts.)
1. Cutting speed too fast or too slow.
2. Improper air pressure.
3. Faulty nozzle or electrode.
D. Double arcing.
(Damaged Nozzle Orifice.)
1. Low air pressure.
2. Damaged cutting nozzle.
3. Loose cutting nozzle.
4. Heavy spatter.
e. uneven arc.
1. Damaged cutting nozzle or worn electrode.
f. unstable cutting conditions.
1. Incorrect cutting speed.
2. Loose cable or hose connections.
3. Electrode and/or cutting nozzle in poor condi-
tion.
G. main arc Does not strike.
1. Loose connections.
H. poor consumable life.
1. Improper gas pressure.
2. Contaminated air supply.
sectioN 4 operatioN