How much use is a plasma cutter?

[baz-r]

Originally Posted by Dad_of_Seven

Well, was down my local engineering firm and he had an old Murex Tradescut 5 that was his brothers, I agreed to give it a try with a view to buying it for £100. Well it seems the torch consumable went obsolete about a decade ago, I've sort of fired it up but the tip that's on it has seen much better days, it fails to get the pilot going but can be got to strike an arc on the workpiece so maybe not too much wrong with it.

Any thoughts on a torch that could be used to replace the original?

Bruce

most murex stuff has thair own torches on unless its already been converted (some kits where availble) but some pattern suff might still be availble

what you need to do is find out exactly what model torch is fitted then see if someone like starparts or parweld still make consumables.
for it or its going to be a torch conversion kit. thermal dynamics may do one to use thair 1torch

[baz-r]

it would be best to seek some advice form a local weld supply/repairer and if you did fancy fitting a new torch yourself and have to open it up please take care there are somtimes big capactors in tigs and plasmas that hold charge and do bite!

[baz-r]

starparts look in section11 (no pics on my firefox?)
http://publishing.yudu.com/Ad85/star...sources/87.htm

parweld plasma
http://www.parweld.co.uk/pageturning/Plasma/Plasma.html

[The V8 Files]

Thanks Baz, I have contacted a few suppliers already, not had much response yet though, I think its still the original torch.

I had to open it up to fix an air leak before I could even test it and did wonder about the possibiliy of caps holding a charge so was careful

Those links you sent look much more comprehensive than any I've found so far so I'l contact them next week and see if they're able to help.

I've taken some pictures of the torch here:

http://s1157.photobucket.com/albums/...rlidge/plasma/

Cheers

Bruce

[The V8 Files]

No I didn't get any pics in Chrome either, but I downloaded an offline version which works fine and there are some parts that look very similar in both catalogues, compatible with Esab it states.

Starparts also list some retrofit torches that say are compatible with any plasma cutter from 30A - 120A.

Thanks muchly for the info Baz and I'l have a chat with them next week and let you know if I get any joy.

Bruce

[baz-r]

thermal dynamics 1torch is a very good retro fit if you can get one for your machine i would contact thair tec dept direct to get part no. and would prob have to buy from one of thair local suppliers if you cant buy direct.

retro fit will be alot more expensive than finding compatable spares!

i used to work at proweld at plymouth http://www.proweld.co.uk/ say barry said you should be able to help and thay will sell via mail order you need to speek to someone in the workshop to get rigt part no. and adrian in store/tel sales is very good for any welding spares but dont forget to ask for a good price

[robo]

Its also worth mentioning that plasma will cut most metals inc ali.

Bob

[The V8 Files]

Originally Posted by baz-r

i used to work at proweld at plymouth http://www.proweld.co.uk/ say barry said you should be able to help and thay will sell via mail order you need to speek to someone in the workshop to get rigt part no. and adrian in store/tel sales is very good for any welding spares but dont forget to ask for a good price

Thanks for the links Barry, parts are definitely obsolete, I spoke with Pete at proweld who was very helpfull and he's got a trafimet A101 thats been sat on the shelf for a while for £95+vat, it has all the right fittings to go straight on the murex which I thought was a good price.

I'l have to wait a couple of weeks as I'm skint but will definitely go for that.

[baz-r]

Originally Posted by Dad_of_Seven

Thanks for the links Barry, parts are definitely obsolete, I spoke with Pete at proweld who was very helpfull and he's got a trafimet A101 thats been sat on the shelf for a while for £95+vat, it has all the right fittings to go straight on the murex which I thought was a good price.

I'l have to wait a couple of weeks as I'm skint but will definitely go for that.

happy days glad to help