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Practical answers on choosing, fitting and looking after the consumable parts of a handheld 60 to 100 amp class plasma cutting torch.
A standoff guide is a small attachment that fits on the front of the torch and sets the gap between the nozzle and the metal, so you can hold a steady height by resting the guide on the work. It helps with cutting straight lines and with consistent cut quality when hand cutting.It only suits standoff cutting. Do not use it with parts built for contact drag cutting, because the nozzle would then sit at the wrong height. Check that the guide you order is made for your torch type and the shield you are using.
The tip, also called the nozzle, wears at its centre hole. A wider kerf, a thicker arc, more dross on the underside of the cut and less steady cutting often show that the hole has enlarged or gone out of round. Look at the hole with the parts removed: it should be round and clean.A tip that is damaged on its face or has had the nozzle touch the work will wear faster. Replace a worn tip rather than carrying on, because poor cuts and extra damage to nearby parts usually follow.
Each tip is made for a range of current. The opening size is chosen to suit that range, so use a tip rated for the current you set on the machine. Running more current than the tip is made for wears it out quickly, and using a much larger tip at low current can give an unstable arc.The tip, and the other parts in the stack, should be the set the maker lists for your current and cutting method. Check the data plate and the consumable chart in the manual before you order.
Yes. The distance between the torch and the work affects both the cut and the life of the parts. Too high a gap spreads the arc and gives a rough, bevelled cut. Too low a gap lets spatter and molten metal reach the tip and shield, which can cause double arcing and wear parts early.Where your torch allows it, using parts designed for drag cutting or a standoff guide takes away much of the guesswork. Keep the torch steady and at the height your manual describes.