How to Cut More Accurately With Your Plasma Cutter - Kevin Caron

Caron has been playing with the AHP AlphaCUT 60 plasma cutter and is just about to try out some new plasma cutting torch tips sent to him by George, a plasma cutter expert.

George sent Caron three new tips to try. Yes, there are different sized nozzles to fit the torch on the AlphaCUT 60, which was news to Caron. George sent three diffferent sizes of nozzles and electrodes. Each size also uses different amperage and air pressure (PSI).

He sent .035 size nozzles, which you use with 60 - 65 PSI and 30 - 40 amps. He also sent some .040 nozzles, which use at 65 - 70 PSI and 50 - 60 amps. The last nozzles are .045, which you use at 55 - 65 amps and 70 - 80 PSI.

Caron decides to test the value of the different options by putting the .035 nozzle on the cutting torch, setting the amps and PSI at midpoint of the recommended range, making a cut, then trying each of the other tips the same way to see what kind of difference they make.

After putting on his safety glasses and leather gloves, he starts by cutting a piece of 1/8" steel using the .035 nozzle at 63 PSI and 35 amps. Then Caron cuts the metal using the .040 nozzle at 66 PSI at 55 amps. Finally, he uses the .045 nozzle at 75 PSI and 56 amps.

Afterward, Caron shows the difference in the kerf width of the cuts - they are noticeably different. On the back side of the metal, there's very little dross on the .035 cut, a little more on the .040 and a bit more yet on the .045 cut. That's probably just because the plasma cutter is cutting away a little more metal on each cut.

Caron says the effect of the different sized nozzles is interesting. This opens a whole new world for him - different size nozzles, different amps, different air pressures, different metal thicknesses. This is why he practices and you should practice, too.

Caron recommends talking more about this with George, but first, reach down there and hit the subscribe button so you can see more how-to videos - he releases one every Wednesday morning.

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[JeffinTD]

Excellent video. Smaller tips for lower amperage on thinner material makes a lot of sense. Less air consumption, and it seems you’d avoid tip wear due to too slow travel on really thin stuff.

[mikenetherlin]

Kevin, thanks for all you do to teach.

[Cope]

George is a great guy to do business with. I have his circle cutter and several of his tips and electrodes.

[GregsGarage]

Interesting. I had no idea there were options.

[patrickmitton]

The fine cut tips are great. Merry Christmas kevin

[prboulay]

George's web site:
Kevin, It seems to me that those different tips would be used on different thicknesses of steel. That's what would be interesting to try.

[jasongray]

informative as always, merry Christmas, keep up the good work

[patwpb]

Thank you and all those involved in the efforts and production of this channel.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all.
May the new year bring you, your families and friends much health, wealth, happiness and peace.

[sylvanenergy]

I know what Kevin needs for xmas....lol

[scottykilmer]

Hey, you make some cool videos. Check out the scotty kilmer channel, I've got over 120 million views so far. Mainly car repair stuff, as I've been fixing em the last 48 years. Like your plasma cutting tips a lot in this video, cause welding it not yet my forte, I mainly used brain power fixing electronic and mechanical faults in the past. Thought I'd learn something new in my old age.

[charlesdyer]

Interesting. what did you say that machine goes for ?

[JunkMikesWorld]

Kevin,
This looks like a very capable machine. I was thinking of getting one for a CNC plasma table. Any thoughts on this?

All the best to you and Mary!

Merry Christmas!

Mike
East Palestine, OH

[raycurren]

Hi kevin merry X-mas. Great vid I have a Eastwood versa 60. My question is are the torches the same. Can I use those tips. And what do you call the thing on the end of your torch in vid that keep right distance? That for sharing your knowledge hope you have a great new year.

[dahveed]

Any idea what size the AHP machine ships with?

[melgross]

Quite frankly Kevin, I don’t see a real difference. I did notice that you cut faster with the smallest tip than with the others. Maybe that’s why less dross. But the bigger tips would be for thicker metal, wouldn’t they? No real advantage on such thin material.