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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.
In standoff cutting you hold the nozzle a set small distance above the metal. In drag cutting a shield or cap rests on the work and you slide the torch along it, which gives a steady height and is easier to control by hand.The parts differ. Drag parts have a shield designed to take contact, while standoff parts need a gap, which you keep by eye or with a standoff guide. If the gap is too large the arc spreads and loses power, and if too small, molten metal can bridge the nozzle and cause double arcing. Check your manual for the parts and current limits for each method.
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.
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.