Everlast PowerPlasma 50 Review - kinda and a bunch of questions

woodlandfarms · Jul 2, 2014

So thank the gods my Plasma arrived Tuesday as promised. For those not in the know, this allowed me the ability to put the machine together, test it and have a friend come up who knows a thing or two and help me out, then pack it up in the back of the shop, not so far that she doesn't see the green but enough that it registers but doesn't attract. I feel this will give me a few weeks grace until i have to do the "this old thing" reveal. It may even go unnoticed if I subtly introduce.

Anyway, the machine. Again, I have never used a Plasma Cutter. It is about the same size as my Lincoln 180. Feels beefy enough. Again, stupid carrying strap. I get cost savings, but boy I would love a handle. Box has all sorts of stuff in it, spare consumeables, air filter, hose, clamps and torch and a 220/110 adapter. It also has a manual. A terrible, awful, rotten, bad manual. It was 4 pages and stapled. Now if it had not been for Mark, and I just bought this on Amazon, I would have never known about the manual on the website which gives very good detailed instructions. I pity the person who buys this without that advice. I know Mark is trying to get updated manuals in the products. Anyway, this is about my only real complaint.

So I hooked everything up, got the compressor warmed up (I have a 35 gallon Craftsman, I would like bigger, not going to happen in my current shop). I have a water filter (glass type) inline, and then the machine has one on the back.

Oh, one thing is that I think I got the upgraded Torch Handle. Mark had mentioned they were updating them. This one has a trigger guard which is nice. I gotta ask mark for a tear down sheet on it.

Anyway, powered it up, turned it on, and it cut. and it cut good I guess. My buddy showed up, he was totally stoked. We pulled out some thick stuff and it cut like butter.

So a bunch of things, seeking advice.

First, I have the air set at 70PSI and the Amps, no matter the thickness of metal, I am holding at 45. This is what I read on the internet (True or False?).

How do I maintain the torch? the word consumables makes me wonder how I keep track of wear and tear. I dip my Mig tip in some thing I can't rememnber the name of when I am done to keep the Mig healthy. Do I need to do the same?

When I plug the machine in, and start it up, all is good, When I finish at the end of the day, I notice a hissing of air coming from the pressure regulator nob on the front of the Plasma Cutter. Is this normal or do I have an issue?

There is a note somewhere that there are different kinds of tips for a Plasma cutter. If true can anyone give me any details?

So, anyway, again for the price very very pleased. Got lots of things I want to do with the machine.

BukitCase · Jul 3, 2014

70 psi seems a bit low, I run my Hypertherm at 95 in, then it has an internal regulator and three indicator lights I set internal pressure by.

Air regulators maintain the set pressure by leaking off the excess - this is normal, but if you don't want your compressor working overtime you should disconnect or valve off the air when you're not using the plaz.

The stuff you dip your mig tip into is anti-spatter - I've never heard of using anything with a plasma, my tips still look new after a few hundred feet of cutting.

The main thing to do with any plaz is SUPER clean air. you cannot GET it TOO clean IMO - This is the filtration I run on mine, and I'd like to get around to adding a chiller eventually.

The rest of your questions I'll let Mark get to, answers may be specific to your machine... Steve

Mark @ Everlast · Jul 3, 2014

The new units should have a better cut life and capacity, plus I think the torches can run at 80 psi (I think that is...have to go back and check). More pressure though does not equal better cutting in all torches. If the pressure regulator knob is hissing, how much air do you have supplied to it? Keep it under 90 psi. At worst I think it could be a line that did not get cut straight when the connection was slid into the seat. Give me a call tomorrow if you need it. A plasma cutter will let you know when the tips start to wear. You can see the nozzle begin to egg shape, and the cuts will become beveled and sloppy. You can take the cup off the torch and look at the electrode and see how worn it is. I guess I need to do a video on how to tell. Would be the simplest thing eventually. The torch breakdown is nearly identical to the diagram in the manual. It's all the same almost, and the consumables with the old torch will interchange with the newer style. The maintenance on a plasma torch is really more about taking care of it by developing good technique. Keep splash back down by reducing straight down piercing. Change out consumables before they "blow out". You'll know a blow out when you get one if you run the torch too long with worn consumables. You can tell. Don't be paranoid, but sometimes a consumable will last several days, but a few goofs in cutting could toast one in a minute.

Arc weld · Jul 3, 2014

Moisture is the worst thing for plasma consumables. Nothing like nozzle dip for a plasma torch. You want it dry. Unless you're doing real critical cutting and need perfect cuts every time, you can tell by the cut when you need to change tips and electrodes. They're usually changed in pairs just like chains and sprockets on a motorcycle. You can adjust the amps down for thinner material and have a little finer cut. Gouging tips have a bigger hole than a cutting tip. It's normal to have air flow out the torch after you stopped but not sure about the particular regulator. The good manual should tell you as well as the recommended air pressure.

gwdixon · Jul 3, 2014

The insides of the Everlast plasma cutters have "push-on" air line connectors (in my experience). Great for factory assembly but they leaked. I took all of them off and replaced them with compression fittings and truck brake air lines. All leaks, and I believe potential leaks, went away. I tested them all with soapy water.

Are you sure the air hissing you are experiencing is not just post flow to the torch to cool it? That will shut off after a while...it may even be adjustable on your machine. If it is a leak problem, then it should hiss continuously...as soon as the air is hooked up.

The air pressure to the machine is 120 lbs. on mine. Some will say this is too high but it is only connected when the cutter is in use. However, the setting on the machine is 90 lbs. with the built-in regulator. When the torch is cutting the pressure will drop to the cutting level. With my PP70 cutter it drops about 20% with the torch open.

The compressor you are using is too small and the filters are not sufficient to get dry enough air. That said, just expect to stop cutting after a bit and let the compressor catch up. The compressor will get hot, and the air will hold more water when hot, so the problem will be compounded.

The amp setting can be adjusted to the thickness of the metal being cut. Tin roofing doesn't require much while 1/2" steel would need the max and slow cutting. Experience will help there.

Different cutting tips are not really necessary. If gouging, just use an old tip saved for the purpose. There are "contact" tips made so that you don't have to hold an air gap to the metal. Not sure if they are made for your particular torch. Mark may know.

You'll know, as others have stated, when the consumables need to be changed. The cutting will degrade. When you take the consumables off the cutting tip, be sure to replace them all except the ceramic collar. Lay them out on a bench to make sure everything is put back in the correct order and facing the right way. Now is the time to stock up on 10 replacement sets, or so. I think the cutter comes with 5 sets, but they will likely be used quickly given the learning curve required and the lack of a dedicated water filter/line dryer.

Mark @ Everlast · Jul 3, 2014

The new torch is a tecmo, another Italian provider of torches. It interchanges with the S-45 consumables but has capacity up to 60 amps and has more consumables available that will fit it. Just getting the torches in, but a number of companies are using a similar version of that torch as OEM including HTP. It has it's own type of consumables, but as I mentioned, if bought as a complete S 45 set, they are supposed to swap out if you don't mix and match. It also supports a higher voltage and the new 50's are supposed to be running a new transformer to support it. (means it'll cut more). The difference is the way the consumables fire...to start the pilot arc. The new ones are called "shoulder" fire and have a broad shoulder where the arc starts instead of at the tip.(from what literature I have read) This is supposed to increase life span. But one of our guys has told me that it also improves consumable life on the S45 consumables as well.