• Spring 2024 meetup in Calgary - date Saturday, April 20/2024. discussion Please RSVP Here to confirm and get your invitation and the location details. RSVP NOW so organizers can plan to get sufficient food etc. One week to go! More info and agenda
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  • Spring meet up in Ontario, April 6/2024. NEW LOCATION See Post #31 Discussion AND THE NEW LOCATION

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  1. J

    Can I install a smaller nozzle and electrode in an AG60P plasma cutting torch?

    As I have mentioned elsewhere on the forum, i have a tiny lunchbox size plasma cutter, the Bestarc BTC500DP, which uses an AG60P pilot arc torch. Looking as best I can online, it appears this torch is rated for use in the 40 to 60 amp range. I assume the consumables are sized for that range...
  2. J

    Are 1/4" fittings different for welding gas cylinders than for air lines?

    Are 1/4" fittings different for welding gas cylinders than for air lines? I'm asking because I have been using my Argon gas cylinder to feed my TIG welder, and today tried to hook the same "gas" line to my plasma cutter instead. The female fitting on the end of the line from the gas cylinder...
  3. J

    What air compressor CFM and reservoir size needed to run a 50 amp plasma cutter

    I recently got one of the lunchbox size 50 amp plasma cutters. The machine does a good job cutting on short cuts, but my current pancake air compressor is, I think, simply too small to support the plasma cutter on longer cuts or repetitive short cuts. My current Bostitch pancake air compressor...
  4. J

    Oops! How low can you run an Argon gas cylinder and still TIG weld?

    I have been learning to TIG weld, using my first fill of Argon gas in an 80 cu ft cylinder. It started of course at 2000 psi, but is now down to about 550 psi. When I called to arrange to pick up a refill, the local gas supply shop told me it had a missed delivery his week, and so had NO Argon...
  5. J

    What do the markings on this steel plate tell me?

    Below is a photo of the leftover 3/8" thick 19" diameter steel plate that my local steel supplier sold me to use as a welding table top for small projects. What do the "44W" and "HT #425107 tell me about the properties of this piece of steel? And, is the surface just a rust layer or...
  6. J

    Why a plastic coating on a weld fixture??

    I ordered a 90 degree adjustable weld clamp/fixture off Amazon.ca, and noticed later that the device apparently has a plastic coating applied as an anti-rust measure. It seems to me that a plastic coating on a weld fixture has a high probability of melting or at least heating up and giving off...
  7. J

    First "lunchbox size" plasma cutter experience

    I just received and tried out one of the inexpensive "50-amp" lunchbox sized plasma cutters, and I have to say I am somehwat impressed, even though my initial "technique" is inexperienced and undeducated. The unit i have is the BestArc Pilot Arc BTC500DP 50Amps Dual Voltage 110/220V unit. This...
  8. J

    Controlling plasma cutting sparks & debris?

    I just received my inexpensive 50 amp "lunchbox" size plasma cutter from Amazon. I have not used it yet - will read the user manual first (despite the universal prohibition among REAL men to never read the instructions first!). But, I have watched a number of videos before even ordering one, so...
  9. J

    How estimate rate of Argon gas consumption when TIG welding?

    I am a newbie, just learning how to TIG weld (Yes, I know that most people try to learn an easier form of welding first, but I want to do mainly aluminum and stainless steel, so went straight to TIG. In my guided training, I am currently welding 3/16" thick 3" x 6" aluminum 5000 series coupons...
  10. J

    What am I doing wrong?

    My son bought me a Canaweld AC-DC TIG 201 Pulse D welder kit (machien plus most items needed to get started in TIG welding), as a birthday present for my 72nd birthday! I ahve never welded before in my life, so am in the process of learning TIG welding via a video course from Pacific Arc TIG...
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