why do I keep getting this ?????

[WSS]

Mick

Oz has some pretty good import protection in place. Way back in '99, we were looking into stating a branch in or close to Brisbane. Research of the criteria to start a business there (non citizen/alien/foriegner) was eye opening. We had to employ 15 people from day one and had to have 850k (au) in a australian bank. Any companies that we might be competing against would be informed and asked if it would impinge on gross earnings. Of course this shot us down. Any importing was duty rich. So we ended up selling a complete business package to a friend over there.

Now that I have completely hi-jacked the thread (might as well steal two lambs as a sheep, or as we say up here, hung as a horse thief), are you planning on any "universal" type mounts for your breakaways? I use a dual set-up and would like to adapt a couple of your holders if possible.

WSS

[SCHIDTHEAD]

Having run a TD Cutmater 81 to start on my table and going to a HypTherm I had the same problem with the Thermal Dynamics 81 and found it to be the settings. I learned early off that the recommended pierce time, travel, amperage and, I think, even the height for the machine torch settings were not even close. I will tell you right now don't follow the book recommendations! THEY ARE JUNK I had the exact problems with the THC floating away because of the amperage and touch off height settings being wrong. I spent a lot of money on steel, consumables, and evenings running test cut after test cut tracking all of my settings until each thickness was dialed in. I also contributed some of the problem to noise from a bad earth ground--that's what my gut said anyway, so I spent a lot of time making sure I had a proper ground bored (2 of them actually; one for the ground and one to quench the ground because we are in a building with a 30 year old slab floor on high ground) and set at a leg of the table. And, all of my TD problems went away...in short think outside the box with amp and speed settings and burn your book--except for the schematics--then be ready to burn a whole bunch of steel testing, making notes, and teating some more!

[jimcolt]

I will beg to differ with you in regards to settings with the Hypertherm units.....at least with the newer models. I ran my Powermax45, and now my Powermax85 at the recommended book settings for pretty much all materials. The height, the pierce height, the pierce delay times as well as the cut speeds listed in the Hypertherm manual are right on the money. The only thing I adjust is speed....either up or down to help control dross..as material metalurgy varys from sheet to sheet.


im Colt

Having run a TD Cutmater 81 to start on my table and going to a HypTherm I had the same problem with the TD 81 and found it to be the settings. I learned early off that the recommended pierce time, travel, amperage and, I think, even the height for the machine torch settings were not even close. I will tell you right now don't follow the book recommendations! THEY ARE JUNK I had the exact problems with the THC floating away because of the amperage and touch off height settings being wrong. I spent a lot of money on steel, consumables, and evenings running test cut after test cut tracking all of my settings until each thickness was dialed in. I also contributed some of the problem to noise from a bad earth ground--that's what my gut said anyway, so I spent a lot of time making sure I had a proper ground bored (2 of them actually; one for the ground and one to quench the ground because we are in a building with a 30 year old slab floor on high ground) and set at a leg of the table. And, all of my TD problems went away...in short think outside the box with amp and speed settings and burn your book--except for the schematics--then be ready to burn a whole bunch of steel testing, making notes, and teating some more!

[jmsrbrt]

I think someone once said the manual settings were just a starting point. There are a lot of variables what with air quality, humidity, steel, etc., etc., and the book values were'nt written in stone. One of the reasons why my settings won't work for another even though we have the same equipment. I have a TD unit also, and I cut nowhere close to what the manual says. Best to just do some test cuts, record what happens and adjust from there. Bob.

[WSS]

I have a HyperTherm and always start at the book specs. I might add a volt or two depending on the condition of the consumables and if there is much surface rust, that just lifts the torch a bit to run over the rough spots. If the consumables have some wear the the torch tends to track closer to the plate. Guaranteed, if the parts are new and the plate is clean, it will run at the book specs. My 2 cents.

WSS

[SCHIDTHEAD]

I will beg to differ with you in regards to settings with the Hypertherm units.....at least with the newer models. I ran my Powermax45, and now my Powermax85 at the recommended book settings for pretty much all materials. The height, the pierce height, the pierce delay times as well as the cut speeds listed in the Hypertherm manual are right on the money. The only thing I adjust is speed....either up or down to help control dross..as material metalurgy varys from sheet to sheet.

You are not differing with me Mr Colt...as my post says, I switched to the Hypertherm from a Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 81 which is the unit I had so much trouble following their recommended settings with. I am EXTREMELY happy with my HypTherm 1100 and the settings are very accurate with small adjustments to the voltage and ipm to control dross and slag. Maybe I didn't make it clear, it was the Cutmaster 81 that I had all the cut problems described above.