Bent Duramax Torch?

[No Class]

I recently had a less than favourable experience with a tip up and I am fairly certain it has bent the torch. (Duramax torch and a hypertherm pm85) Before I get carried away is anyone unfortunate enough to have any experience with this?

Thanks in advance

[TJS]

Sorry for your experience. I hope not to have that situation. I made my own breakaway set up. Pretty easy using magnets and some simple machining. Hope you get resolution soon.You can see what I did in my table build.
T.J.

[Nacs Fab]

Where did it bend the torch, on the brass that is entering the sleeve? The torch can be disassembled fairly easily, get out your manual or download on from their website and it tells you how to take it apart (to make it a mini torch). Hopefully its just something misaligned. I would definitely fix the tip up issue with a torch breakaway - also look in our general forum for a solution to tip ups all together.

[jimcolt]

If you look in the operators manual it will show you all of the internal torch components....most likely one of the sleeves cracked. All parts are replaceable.

Jim Colt Hypertherm

Every machine torch should be mounted on a breakaway....here is mine:

new pics 016.jpg (68.92 KiB) Viewed 2937 times

new pics 016.jpg (68.92 KiB) Viewed 2937 times

[Nacs Fab]

Jim,

I did the Snap-n-cut at the time I did my Duramax Torch upgrade! Nice piece.

[TJS]

Here is my homemade one. Yes it took a little while to make but oh well I have more time than money.

[grindergary]

This is what happens when you think everything is going really great. Not sure what happened, but when I turned around the torch was buried in the plate. Need to check it out some more.

Need to build that breakaway for the table.

Gary

[jimcolt]

That had to be a hard collision. The breakaway would have paid for itself on this one.

Jim Colt

[No Class]

Thanks to everyone for their input. I am working on making my own breakaway. I contacted Torchmate and they no longer sell the retro fit kits and you must purchase an entire lifter station to the tune of around $1450.
It is a relatively easy device to manufacture the only thing that will require some thought is the magnets. How they will be mounted/retained and the strength required to do the job.
TJS any suggestions or recommendations?

Thanks

[Shane Warnick]

If they make a snap n cut for your table, I will say they are well worth the money. Some things you can do better than you can buy, sometimes you realize a wheel is a wheel and you may make one you like a little better, but is it really worth r&d and fab time to get there?

I have a snap n cut and I would get another one without hesitation should the need arise.

Shane

[tnbndr]

It probably would even be easier to modify a Snap n Cut if necessary rather than fabbing from scratch.

http://www.snapncut.com/

[TJS]

Thanks to everyone for their input. I am working on making my own breakaway. I contacted Torchmate and they no longer sell the retro fit kits and you must purchase an entire lifter station to the tune of around $1450.
It is a relatively easy device to manufacture the only thing that will require some thought is the magnets. How they will be mounted/retained and the strength required to do the job.
TJS any suggestions or recommendations?

Thanks

I have a few videos on YT of my breakaway. I also tell where to get the magnets. If you have a mill you can make one.
Here is one of the vids. Hope this helps.
http://youtu.be/CFcEujNb__I

Thanks.
T.J.

[Nacs Fab]

It probably would even be easier to modify a Snap n Cut if necessary rather than fabbing from scratch.

http://www.snapncut.com/

I agree here - my torch mount is their Universal mount and it has several options for bolting it to an existing Z axis. The back has 2 holes with countersunk holes for standard socket head screws. Then each side of the mount also has 2 drilled and tapped holes.

Mick is very quick on shipping, IIRC he even shipped mine on a Saturday or something, to make sure I got it within a few days here Stateside. Their Quality is Top Notch and it makes for a super quick consumables change. I know many of you say you can change your consumables without removing the torch and so could I, but I tend to want to inspect every consumable part as it goes back in to make sure it is in good shape and installed properly - having the torch laying on it's side sure makes for an easy install.

[No Class]

I contacted SnapnCut. The dude got back to me pretty quickly which was really cool but recommended I find another option given my set up which is really uncool. Back to the drawing board I guess. I think I will just bite the bullet and fabricate my own if I can't find anything else at a reasonable price.

[TJS]

What is so different about your set up.

[No Class]

I didn't think it was that special either. The torch does extend down from the lifter station quite a bit. I will take some pictures and post them. The only thing that I can see being an issue is the fact that the torch clamps are built into the lifter station cylinder body and will require some major modifications.

[TJS]

Yes. Post pics. Maybe we can all help collectively.
T.J.

[tnbndr]

fact that the torch clamps are built into the lifter station cylinder body and will require some major modifications.

Yes, modifications would be required even if you build your own.