Anything welding

TL;DR
A welder was doing something that wasn't to spec on us naval ships. This was done on new ships/subs, as well as repairs. Department of Justice is investigating. They said it wasn't malicious so I guess this guy was just being lazy?


Any ideas on what he could have been doing?

 

Plasma cutting advice needed. I picked up the Cut-50 on Prime day for $99.99 as it's been in my cart forever. First time cutting with it, 1/8" steel, air at 30psi, amps at 30 then 35. I didn't know which way to adjust and the machine didn't come with any instructions. After looking at some charts my air was ok but amps should have been lower (20 amps). Does this sound about right? I just unboxed it and started cutting. I'll take advise here and play with it more after I know which direction to go. Thanks all.

 

Well, that's the thing about plasma cutting.

You kind of have to practice a bit to find out the right travel speed as well as amp setting.

Bottom dross usually means moving too slow, but one thing that stands out right away is your air pressure.

You want about 80-100psi going into the thing, and maybe some 55-65psi on the plasma cutter's regulator itself.

 

copy, way too low psi. i will adjust air pressures, retry moving faster and practice. I'm going to run out of scrap metal before this is done. lol

 

Funny you brought up PW.

I'm tempted to buy a 3rd fixture table

 

Also $100 for a cut 50 is a steal.

 

They've got a larger plasma cutter coming out

 

Getting the plasma cutter set up.

Ordered these



A) anything else I need to get started?

B) Does the motor guard go before or after the filter?

 

I run the motor guard at the end - this way any dust or crud from the desiccant filter gets captured by the motor guard

 

I've seen some people run a cooler and desiccant filter (as a trap) before the tank. Do I need to look in to that? Or should this be good enough?

 

More than good enough.

There's a small water separator built into that thing, like most plasma cutters, and it's good to check it out every once in awhile as it'll be a good indicator as to what's getting into your plasma cutter.

We live in a dry climate both you and I, and yes it's enough to introduce moisture into our air supply, but you won't be doing long continuous cuts where it'll pose a problem.

On my own CNC setup, I ran with what you posted for over a year before getting my refrigerated air dryer and it ran just fine (at the cost of consumable life). Still got 400+ pierces per set versus the 900+ I got after getting the air dryer.

 

Right on

Good info. Then I'll stick with that for now. I'm thinking about, maybe, doing the cooler (like a trans cooler type cooler) then a desiccant trap (to protect the tank from moisture build up) later. But I won't worry about it now, then.

Or... I could just drain the tank periodically... but I've never been good about that, on any compressor I've owned... like, ever

 

Those tiny dessicant filters don't really do anything at high volumes. The only way to remove water from air is to cool it.

 

I use the same motor gaurd and a harbor freight desiccant and water filter. I’d get a larger desiccant filter is the only thing I’d change.

 

I’m going to plant this bomb here! HAHAHAHAA

 

That mask is big enough to wear a respirator as well?!?

 

Isn't it just a Miller Elite?

 

New hood? Good stuff!

Most are!

 

Serious question, does anybody wear a respirator on the regular for mild steel MIG, aluminum and stainless TIG in a poorly ventilated environment? Not as a career but more hobbyists at no more than 2 hours a day.

 

Sometimes, not often.

If I'm going to be welding for a good while, or more specifically really need to be up close, I will throw it on for a bit.