Been a rough day on the plasma

[Haywire]

Was cutting some 1/2" plate and a hot piece (1"x3') fell on the torch cable wouldn't come off no matter how I kicked at it. Finally grabbed the torch cable and flipped it off. Melted through the outer jacket and made a flat spot on the air line inside. No damage to wires. I normally have that cable draped over my shoulder and down my back to keep it out of the way. Of course this time I didn't.

Then I was cutting a 48x5 piece off one side and it fell free and hit the ground lead. Pinched through the insulation and flattened the conductor. I wanted a longer one anyway. I suppose this will accelerate that mod.

Some days I'd be better off just staying in bed.

Ian

 

[Bob77064]

Haywire, these things happen neighbor I am glad it didn't hit you.

 

[gwdixon]

These things come and go.

 

[deereman75]

Be glad it was an everlast torch, and will not cost too much to replace. If it was a hypertherm torch, you would be out $600. Still too bad you had something happen to it when it was still so new.

 

[Welshman]

... and now we know the origin of the phrase "things went Haywire..." :laughing:

We've all had days like that, in one form or another.

 

[deereman75]

... and now we know the origin of the phrase "things went Haywire..." :laughing:

:laughing: Very good one.

 

[Haywire]

I've got some big heat shrink tubing at work. I'll just patch over the melted spot. Either that, or cut it all off and replace all the covering entirely.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Leather is about the best thing you could use...IF you could find someone that works leather, it'd be worth it.

 

[Haywire]

I think I saw a leather plasma cable cover in my wanderings here lately. I think it snapped on.

Ian

 

[Shield Arc]

They aren't cheap, but these people have them up to 50 feet long.

Tillman Leather Torch Leads Cover 581

 

[crash325]

I thought you were having things go wrong. Shucks just sounds like a normal day around my place. :laughing:

 

[gwdixon]

I've got some big heat shrink tubing at work. I'll just patch over the melted spot. Either that, or cut it all off and replace all the covering entirely.

What about cutting up a welding blanket like sold at Harbor Freight?

Welding Curtain - Harbor Freight Tools

You could cut off a long strip that would wrap around the lead. Secure it with little zip ties about a foot apart. Or maybe dots of hot glue every few inches.

Haven't done it myself - just thinking.

 

[Haywire]

I'm just going to patch it with some heat shrink tubing from work and try to be a little more careful. We have some rubber coated kelvar cloth sleeving that is used as chafe protection on big wires, but it's kinda stiff as compared to what's on there now. I'll just patch it up and call it good.

The welding blanket is a good idea though. That and some snaps from the fabric store would make a good cover.

Ian

 

[yomax4]

The leads can be repaired. Also you can buy a light weight Kevlar Sheath for about the price of a leather one. Still, Take Care on this expensive equipment.

 

[NativeSon]

In Texas we'd call it a "calf-slobber" kind of day.

Charlie