As mentioned, I did predrill a hole knowing (by reading) the challenge of piercing. That flat stock was all drilled with a drill press and was just used as a compass to make a smoother arc/circle. In fact, after going back to it later that day I did, freehand without the 'compass', manage to pierce through it. That hole is about the8 o'clock position. The predrilled hole was around the 1 (or 2) o'clock position. I did replace all consumables before doing that, by the way. The only coating on that steel plate was the bluing used to scribe/mark where to cut. I did pick up a valuable comment about being too slow. I think that's where the issue may be. I was too fast and need to be too slow.
Still learning. And, as I mentioned about practicing on the diamond plate, it is 1/2 inch, starting from a raw edge, this machine made a clean and even slice with tolerable edges. used a plywood stick for a straight guide. I was happy. I then made a large circle in some 3/4" ply to run the torch around the inside of that. It smoked the wood, burnt the torch, and just arbingated the whole test. Was disappointed.
Will do some more testing. Some more learning. Some more slowing down.
I really appreciate the help you all are giving me.
Oh yeah...a 3k machine is not in my retirement budget. But I can dream!
Thanks again.
