Colt Case Ingersoll Garden Tractors

Toolslinger wrote: ↑Wed Jan 03, 2024 4:25 am Sure nice to have a reputable name on the plasma. I have a Lotos, which is right in the same league as the Cut 50 units. Probably all the same internals, made in the same factory, with a different paint job... When researching them, I found post after post of people that had issues with loose connections internally, leading to problems. So first thing I did was open mine, and check all that. Found a couple that needed a tweak. It's been good to go since then. Eventually bought a longer torch, and ground, which really makes it easier to use.

We've got a really nice Miller at work, which is what finally pushed me over the edge to buy one. I've cut 1/2" cast iron with it, and it was amazing. My Lotos says it will cut 5/8 clean, and sever 3/4. There's no chance it would do that for long, if it did it at all. It doesn't seem to mind the 1/4", and odd 3/8" I've thrown at it though. It handles my needs for sure, but if I had to replace it, I'd be looking for something from one of the big commercial names, just for the sake of long term support. (if I had burned out parts on a board, I wouldn't know where to start)

While I tried O/A now and again, I never figured it out, and didn't have anyone that could teach me. So while I'd like to have that skill set, and the benifit of beaing able to really put heat in something now and again, it isn't likely in the cards. I got rid of the setup my father bought probably 30 years ago, and never actually used. It was well used then, and the tanks were from the 40's.

Harry wrote: ↑Wed Jan 03, 2024 8:39 am

Toolslinger wrote: ↑Wed Jan 03, 2024 4:25 am Sure nice to have a reputable name on the plasma. I have a Lotos, which is right in the same league as the Cut 50 units. Probably all the same internals, made in the same factory, with a different paint job... When researching them, I found post after post of people that had issues with loose connections internally, leading to problems. So first thing I did was open mine, and check all that. Found a couple that needed a tweak. It's been good to go since then. Eventually bought a longer torch, and ground, which really makes it easier to use.

We've got a really nice Miller at work, which is what finally pushed me over the edge to buy one. I've cut 1/2" cast iron with it, and it was amazing. My Lotos says it will cut 5/8 clean, and sever 3/4. There's no chance it would do that for long, if it did it at all. It doesn't seem to mind the 1/4", and odd 3/8" I've thrown at it though. It handles my needs for sure, but if I had to replace it, I'd be looking for something from one of the big commercial names, just for the sake of long term support. (if I had burned out parts on a board, I wouldn't know where to start)

While I tried O/A now and again, I never figured it out, and didn't have anyone that could teach me. So while I'd like to have that skill set, and the benifit of beaing able to really put heat in something now and again, it isn't likely in the cards. I got rid of the setup my father bought probably 30 years ago, and never actually used. It was well used then, and the tanks were from the 40's.

Toolslinger, many people think O&A is just for cutting. When I attended Hobart Welding School of Technology the first class everyone must take is O&A welding. The reason is to learn puddle control. O&A welding certainly is an art which is all about flame control. Too much heat and it melts through and to little you struggle to melt the base metal. O&A cutting is similar and most inexperienced turn the heat up too much. So when cutting the slag sticks to the base metal instead of just blowing through. O&A can also be used for heating as you mentioned but it can also be used for brazing. O&A is a very versatile process but in my opinion not a skill many become proficient at because other processes can be used in its place. For instance I use my TIG torch to braze and silver solder. For me using the foot pedal to control heat is easier than using O&A. Sorry for the morning ramble. Harry