great info Pete i didn't do my home work and bought a non pilot cut cutter and your trick is a god send i was going through consumables each time i used the machine but not any more Cheers Mate
FYI Guys, for the plasma return is his talking about, if it's a straight cut, begin at the very edge of the material you will be cutting through when you start the surface contact. If it's a cut through the middle, start the cut at a 45deg angle and work it into a 90deg angle so that the plasma blow the metal away from the nozzles core.
basically a HF torch needs contact with the surface your gonna cut to start. If you have a PILOT ARC, you can start cutting without touching the surface, so you can start a mm away from the surface. Pilot Arc parts (consumables) are a bit more expensive. Don't choose HF if you wanna cut rusty and painted stuff ór if you wanna cut in a non-contact way.
Hi Pete thanks for your videos and info. Will buy a pilot arc cost a bit more but not much more for rusty steel. One question, want to know do you have a video on mig torches converting one? I got a small Sip brand mig welder, the torch handpiece lead is too short with shitty liner, you got to hold it straight to weld or it doesn't feed the wire just asking thanks.
Great video. I appreciate you taking the torches apart to illustrate the difference. It would be nice to see how the blowback style of pilot arc torch works as well.
Hey Pete. Your channel is highly informative and I enjoy your videos. Especially the plasma videos. Thanks For everything. Keep up the good work. -Spencer Minneapolis MN USA
Very nice video, to the point, none of that music stuff happening. It appears that the major difference is that the nozzle is grounded on the pilot arc and not on the scratch arc. What would prevent someone from making their " scratch start" into a pilot arc by running an earth ground back to the machine from the nozzle? I am very ignorant on the plasma cutter stuff, but basic electricity and wiring I am fairly decent at. Is that a possibility?
Good video. You mentioned that the pilot arc still needs a ground connection, why is that, and what happens if you don't? Iv'e used the pilot arc that way, without ever using the ground cable, what will the differences be? Also, Is the pilot arc a feature of the machine itself or the torch? I ask because I wonder if it's possible to buy a pilot arc torch and use it on a regular non-pilot machine....I guess that might be in your other video... Thanks again for the video!
Hi thanks for watching .You can use a pilot arc on a non pilot arc machine see my next video this saturday nz time. Its just a habit of mine to ground all my work i don't think you have to to make it work. Thanks again pete
Excellent videos! I just made a TIG welder from an old transformer. I was thinking if it is possible to use it for plasma cutting? Saw the other video how to use a plasma torch in a TIG torch. Could You please make a video about scratch start plasma cutting?
Hi Pete After watching your vids on pilot and none pilot torches noticed you had run a wire on one of your torches but not straight to the tip have you a vid on how you ran the earth wire and how you concealed it
Bought a new pilot arc torch to repalce non pilot torch,,new torch has 2 small wires and one larger black wire,,,old torch only had two small wires,,WHERE does the black wire connect to,,when i connected the two wires and pulled trigger unit made a scratchy noise,,??
Where does the green cable go? Are you sure tourch with "pilot arc" can be used on like the CUT50? It does not have any terminal for that cable .. Also - when switching off my machine the fan stops immideately, while the LCD lives on for a while .. is this a fault? (I´ll just run the machine to cool it down after cutting, for like a minute ..)
Awesome video! I just picked up my first HF plasma cutter and this explained a lot! Thank you! So for clarification, with a HF cutter, does the tip need to be in contact with the metal at all times? Then just drug along for the cut? Thanks!
Great video thanks. I bought a cheap Cut 50 HF start plasma cutter. Is it possible to buy a pilot start torch and use with my basic machine? There is an earth post on the back of the machine. I understand how the pilot start torch works but cannot see why a pilot arc torch would not work on an HF start machine. Thanks.
So what would you recommend , I would be cutting new / old steel rusty painted etc , I'm guessing pilot arc? Any plasma cutters u recommend on a budget?
Hi mate this is about the best value pilot arc under 300 bucks i could find .Also the consumable cost is not to bad for this style torch compared to some others. amzn.to/33ZCnxo cheers pete
Hello! their videos are very good! very instructive! yesterday they gave me an old Saf brand plasma cutter model nertazip207 without the torch. I could see that the arc activation is by contact. What torch do you recommend for that application? Sorry My Bad English jejeje Desde Buenos Aires, Argentina
Great info, Pete! Thanks. The Chinese Cut50 H that I just bought has the pilot arc type torch on it from the vendor. There is no pilot arc lead in the cable that is noticeable. The torch will come apart this week to see if a lead is routed but not pulled through. there is a ground to chassis screw at the rear of the machine. If there is a lead, or if one gets routed, can that just be connected to the chassis ground and be expected to work? Could that cause any issues with the machines circuitry?
What are your thoughts on the ct520df. Not the ct520d. I believe the df is there touchless Pilot arc. Im interested in this because it does tig, arc, and plasma. But im hesitant bc im not sure if i wasn't too go with ct520df or ct520d
Hi bill , I like this machine personally PRIMEWELD CT520DP Pilot Arc 50A Plasma Cutter /200A Tig/Stick Welder Combo welding machine especially if your using it for tig welding as well? amzn.to/2CXACoG and It uses quite cheap consumables that are readily available. But if your just wanting a plasma cutting machine i would go for something a big bigger maybe 80 amp as that will cut in excess of 1 inch plate without breaking a sweat. (Of course you have to have bigger power supply in your workshop to run it) Thanks pete
Another disadvantage of HF start is that when cutting a grate, or anything with fairly large holes, the arc goes out when you get to a hole, so you have to start the arc again. Go through 50 holes on a sheet, and that’s starting the arc 51 times. Not only is that a real pain, but it wears the consumables out much faster. With pilot arc, you just keep cutting. By the way. Excellent explanation.
Jeepers, I thought the nanny state laws are getting out of hand up here, apparently down under you have to wear hi-viz in your own home shop :) Thanks for clear explanation of differences between the torches
The laws are crazy here as well . Not quite to the stage of wearing hi vis at home yet lol. I wear it all day at work and dont bother taking it off for my videos ,cheers pete
great info Pete i didn't do my home work and bought a non pilot cut cutter and your trick is a god send i was going through consumables each time i used the machine but not any more Cheers Mate
Glad I could help
FYI Guys, for the plasma return is his talking about, if it's a straight cut, begin at the very edge of the material you will be cutting through when you start the surface contact. If it's a cut through the middle, start the cut at a 45deg angle and work it into a 90deg angle so that the plasma blow the metal away from the nozzles core.
You got it my friend
basically a HF torch needs contact with the surface your gonna cut to start. If you have a PILOT ARC, you can start cutting without touching the surface, so you can start a mm away from the surface.
Pilot Arc parts (consumables) are a bit more expensive. Don't choose HF if you wanna cut rusty and painted stuff ór if you wanna cut in a non-contact way.
you got it
Hi Pete thanks for your videos and info. Will buy a pilot arc cost a bit more but not much more for rusty steel. One question, want to know do you have a video on mig torches converting one? I got a small Sip brand mig welder, the torch handpiece lead is too short with shitty liner, you got to hold it straight to weld or it doesn't feed the wire just asking thanks.
Great video. I appreciate you taking the torches apart to illustrate the difference. It would be nice to see how the blowback style of pilot arc torch works as well.
Great suggestion!
What do consumables look like and how long do they last and what are their cost? Thanks
Cost me a hundred bucks for a set of 10 to New Zealand ,Compared to the normal consumables I use only 35 bucks .cheers Pete
What is best for a cnc machine ,hf or pilot arc
Fantastic video, excellent explanation of the differences of the torches and how they work. Huge help in my search for buying a plasma cutter.
Glad it was helpful!
Hey Pete. Your channel is highly informative and I enjoy your videos. Especially the plasma videos. Thanks For everything. Keep up the good work.
-Spencer
Minneapolis MN USA
Glad you like them!
Very nice video, to the point, none of that music stuff happening. It appears that the major difference is that the nozzle is grounded on the pilot arc and not on the scratch arc. What would prevent someone from making their " scratch start" into a pilot arc by running an earth ground back to the machine from the nozzle? I am very ignorant on the plasma cutter stuff, but basic electricity and wiring I am fairly decent at. Is that a possibility?
Your correct see my other videos about it.
Thanks Pete from Detroit Mi
COOL thanks , Detroit Mi keep safe
Good video. You mentioned that the pilot arc still needs a ground connection, why is that, and what happens if you don't? Iv'e used the pilot arc that way, without ever using the ground cable, what will the differences be?
Also, Is the pilot arc a feature of the machine itself or the torch? I ask because I wonder if it's possible to buy a pilot arc torch and use it on a regular non-pilot machine....I guess that might be in your other video...
Thanks again for the video!
Hi thanks for watching .You can use a pilot arc on a non pilot arc machine see my next video this saturday nz time. Its just a habit of mine to ground all my work i don't think you have to to make it work.
Thanks again pete
Uncle pete. Thank you for the video. Best so far. Regards Christo from South Africa
cool cheers
So does that extra cable on the pilot arc go to the earth clamp on the machine to complete the circuit
yea on a non pilot arc machine
Very good explanation buddy!! Thanks for the video!!
Thanks mate
Brilliant thanks from the UK
Very welcome cheers mate
Excellent videos! I just made a TIG welder from an old transformer. I was thinking if it is possible to use it for plasma cutting? Saw the other video how to use a plasma torch in a TIG torch. Could You please make a video about scratch start plasma cutting?
See my playlist
Hi Pete
After watching your vids on pilot and none pilot torches noticed you had run a wire on one of your torches but not straight to the tip have you a vid on how you ran the earth wire and how you concealed it
Hi mate Checkout this video Plasma
Torch Pilot Arc Conversion Easy : ruclips.net/video/AYeXD7cNRaQ/видео.html
Hey Pete
Great no nonsense videos. Can you gouge out welds with a pilot arc torch?
yea i would give it a try
Hi Pete, great video. lots of info. I really enjoyed it and learned a lot as well. have a great day. thank You
Glad it was helpful!
Bought a new pilot arc torch to repalce non pilot torch,,new torch has 2 small wires and one larger black wire,,,old torch only had two small wires,,WHERE does the black wire connect to,,when i connected the two wires and pulled trigger unit made a scratchy noise,,??
its not the same setup as your old torch . you could try putting the pilot arc wire on your earth clamp. Works sometimes
Where does the green cable go? Are you sure tourch with "pilot arc" can be used on like the CUT50? It does not have any terminal for that cable ..
Also - when switching off my machine the fan stops immideately, while the LCD lives on for a while .. is this a fault?
(I´ll just run the machine to cool it down after cutting, for like a minute ..)
ruclips.net/video/o11CMPFAIWo/видео.html
So you can just buy pilot arc torch for hf cutter and it will work as pilot arc?
Not really will work in a pinch
Awesome video! I just picked up my first HF plasma cutter and this explained a lot! Thank you! So for clarification, with a HF cutter, does the tip need to be in contact with the metal at all times? Then just drug along for the cut? Thanks!
Yep cheers
pete's tools k
Great video thanks. I bought a cheap Cut 50 HF start plasma cutter. Is it possible to buy a pilot start torch and use with my basic machine? There is an earth post on the back of the machine. I understand how the pilot start torch works but cannot see why a pilot arc torch would not work on an HF start machine. Thanks.
Yes you can! ruclips.net/video/a2q_KZYGSd4/видео.html
Can you fit a pilot arc torch to a cut 40?
yea but only for short time use
Can you connect a pilot arch torch to a non torch plasma cutter?
yea
Are the consumables for the ag60 and ag60p torches the same?
No I think the p are shorter
So what would you recommend , I would be cutting new / old steel rusty painted etc , I'm guessing pilot arc? Any plasma cutters u recommend on a budget?
Hi mate this is about the best value pilot arc under 300 bucks i could find .Also the consumable cost is not to bad for this style torch compared to some others. amzn.to/33ZCnxo
cheers pete
Very well for understanding, thanks.
thanks mate
Hello! their videos are very good! very instructive! yesterday they gave me an old Saf brand plasma cutter model nertazip207 without the torch. I could see that the arc activation is by contact. What torch do you recommend for that application? Sorry My Bad English jejeje
Desde Buenos Aires, Argentina
Hi how many amp is your machine?
@@petestoolsI don't now... Don't have specs for this machine... but is small machine... For hobbie and small cut
Great info, Pete! Thanks. The Chinese Cut50 H that I just bought has the pilot arc type torch on it from the vendor. There is no pilot arc lead in the cable that is noticeable. The torch will come apart this week to see if a lead is routed but not pulled through. there is a ground to chassis screw at the rear of the machine. If there is a lead, or if one gets routed, can that just be connected to the chassis ground and be expected to work? Could that cause any issues with the machines circuitry?
Hi what sort of torch is it?
@@petestools , It is an SG55 torch.
So can I make my none pilot arc mig into a pilot arc by changing the torch and earthing it to the machine.
are you running a pt-31 plasma torch?
Thanks you help me a lot. Stay safe
Thanks, you too!
What are your thoughts on the ct520df. Not the ct520d. I believe the df is there touchless Pilot arc. Im interested in this because it does tig, arc, and plasma. But im hesitant bc im not sure if i wasn't too go with ct520df or ct520d
Hi bill , I like this machine personally PRIMEWELD CT520DP Pilot Arc 50A Plasma Cutter /200A Tig/Stick Welder Combo welding machine especially if your using it for tig welding as well? amzn.to/2CXACoG and It uses quite cheap consumables that are readily available. But if your just wanting a plasma cutting machine i would go for something a big bigger maybe 80 amp as that will cut in excess of 1 inch plate without breaking a sweat. (Of course you have to have bigger power supply in your workshop to run it)
Thanks pete
Great video, thanks for making it!
My pleasure!
Great info! Thank you Pete!
Any time!
Thank you for this video
No worries!
Totally under stand so your saying that you can put a different torch to turn any plasma cutter to a pilot start?????
I have done it to 3 different units
Great informative vid thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it
Show your support for my channel by treating me to a coffee! www.buymeacoffee.com/petestools
Another disadvantage of HF start is that when cutting a grate, or anything with fairly large holes, the arc goes out when you get to a hole, so you have to start the arc again. Go through 50 holes on a sheet, and that’s starting the arc 51 times. Not only is that a real pain, but it wears the consumables out much faster. With pilot arc, you just keep cutting.
By the way. Excellent explanation.
Yea totally agree .It seems the more you stop and start your consumables don't last as long. cheers pete
Can used cnc.?
yes
This would be so helpful but the video quality is terrible, I can't really see the inner workings of the torch, which is what I came for.
maybe you can do a video about it that easier to see
What gauage wire is pilot arc green wire
Whatever i could find .But it does get hot
Jeepers, I thought the nanny state laws are getting out of hand up here, apparently down under you have to wear hi-viz in your own home shop :)
Thanks for clear explanation of differences between the torches
The laws are crazy here as well . Not quite to the stage of wearing hi vis at home yet lol. I wear it all day at work and dont bother taking it off for my videos ,cheers pete
Thank you
welcome