Help identifying this Plasma Cutter (Plasma 25)

[Tool & Die Maker]

So...I was at a co-worker's house this past week dropping off some firewood for him and his family. On my way out, he asked me if I wanted this little plasma cutter. It needs a replacement nozzle and the proper electrical plug end for my garage but that shouldn't be a ig deal. What is driving my nuts though is that this little unit doesn't have a manufacturer's stamp on it anywhere. I have no idea who made this machine. Therefore, I have come here to ask for your help. All I know is that this unit was serviced and probably sold through Princess Auto (a Canadian company) in Edmonton Alberta and it is a 208-230 volt vertical standing unit.

Any help is appreciated.

Cheers!
- Daniel

 

[GK1918]

Sounds like the price is right, nozzels you will need time to time. Usually a lot of machines are made
by a know Mfg. and marketed by some company with their logo, that dont bother me, 220 is already
better. We got one last year (220) and 3/4 plate is nothing. Now the O/A torch is getting a long
a waited rest. sam

 

[Rbeckett]

Just make sure that consumables are available and easy to find. Consumables are after all, just that...So go ahead and get a few to get started and get familiar with how to properly use a plasma cutter. Once you get the spacing right and the pierce distance they are a real joy and a great tool to have. Good luck.

Bob

 

[Dunc1]

Princess Auto
475 Panet Road
Winnipeg
Manitoba, Canada
R3C 2W7 www.princessauto.com

1-800-665-8685

Found this http://www.princessauto.com/hlr-system/Documents/82/821/8214/8214470_manual.pdf
for sku # 8214470 but the picture does not resemble your machine. While the manual & parts list are there,
alas, no parts are available.

Does it have a model #?

Powerfist is the house brand for this company but I got no hits for a "Powerfist Plasma 25" or "Plasma 25"

Most recent catalog I have - 2012 - lists no plasma cutters. Their website does offer a Lincoln 20 and a selection
of consumables. These are not branded online; are they Lincoln or house brand?

I recall that Princess Auto sold arc/mig welders from an Italian company but I don't remember the name. Don't
think that plasma cutters were in the lineup.

 

[Tool & Die Maker]

Princess Auto
475 Panet Road
Winnipeg
Manitoba, Canada
R3C 2W7 www.princessauto.com

1-800-665-8685

Found this http://www.princessauto.com/hlr-system/Documents/82/821/8214/8214470_manual.pdf
for sku # 8214470 but the picture does not resemble your machine. While the manual & parts list are there,
alas, no parts are available.

Does it have a model #?

Powerfist is the house brand for this company but I got no hits for a "Powerfist Plasma 25" or "Plasma 25"

Most recent catalog I have - 2012 - lists no plasma cutters. Their website does offer a Lincoln 20 and a selection
of consumables. These are not branded online; are they Lincoln or house brand?

I recall that Princess Auto sold arc/mig welders from an Italian company but I don't remember the name. Don't
think that plasma cutters were in the lineup.

Thank you for the effort that you put into this response! Alas, I've been in this particular store and they can't tell me anything about this Plasma 25 plasma cutter. I have their most recent catalog and that's a no go as well... I think this machine dates back to 1990 but I'm not certain. Regardless, I have not yet been able to locate any reading material regarding this particular machine. My quest continues.

Thank you!
- Daniel

 

[kd4gij]

Post some better pics

 

[Hawkeye]

Is the 'Start Cut' button momentary contact (spring-loaded)? If so, it could use a capacitor to provide a high voltage pulse to initiate the arc. You would bring the torch to the work, then push that button to start the cut.

I'm guessing that the name Plasma 25 indicates a maximum current of 25 amps. I have a CT-416, rated at 40 amps cutting power. This is said to allow cutting up to 1/2" steel. I would think yours could go up to 3/8".

There are manuals on-line for the CT-416. It is considerably different than yours, but there are certain principles that will be constant. You will need a supply of clean, dry air. A filter and a dessicant cartridge are easy to get at Princess auto. I'd suggest adjusting your regulator to 60 PSI. My manual says to run the plasma at full power for all cuts. (It also does stick and TIG welding - yours may not.) Yours may not have any current adjustment.

If you just can't get the consumables for your torch, it should be fairly easy to replace it with a more common torch. It just needs an electrical connection, an air tube and possibly a two-wire connection for a switch in the torch.

Plasma cutting is about the fastest method I know to cut steel. You can start a cut in the middle of the piece and it punches a hole immediately. You can follow plywood templates to cut shapes easily. That particular unit may be perfect for building your own CNC cutter. :biggrin: Do your research. Try to identify the controls and functions that you read about and figure our how to make your machine do that. Proceed carefully and have fun.

Disclaimer: Keep in mind that all of the above is mere speculation on my part. I've never seen anything like that, but I don't let a little thing like that stop me. You'll have to set your own limits on what you find safe or acceptable.

 

[Farmer Dodds]

Try taking the tip, electrode (pull out inside) and the outside shield to a Linde gas store if you have one close. They keep tips and everything for most machines. Also try any store that sells welding supplies. Possibly take in the whole whip or the machine. They will show you how to take it apart and may get you parts.

 

[Tool & Die Maker]

Alright, I was able to get some time this afternoon to look this little unit over a little better. I rewired the machine with a longer lead and the proper plug end for my garage (220 volt). I then plugged the machine into the power source and the air and it powers up just fine. Both the "Min" and the "Max" power settings appear to function as intended. At first I wasn't able to get any air to come through the whip (rgulator set to 60 psi) and even though I'm nearly positive that only half of the torch is present I went ahead and touched the burned out consumable that was screwed into the torch to a grounded piece of scrap. Upon contact, the air began to flow through. I assume that this means that it is a "contact to start" type of torch head? I really don't know much about plasma cutters to be honest (other than how to use one). One thing that I've noticed is that all of the torch heads and whips that I've been looking at as of late (in an effort to determine what I need in regards to a replacement whip/torch) typically have a couple of wires that need to be hooked into the plasma cutter. This little Plasma25 machine simply has one single whip that screws into the plasma cutter. There are no other wires to hook up (see the last two photos). Does this seem odd? Might it be terribly difficult to locate a replacement whip/torch for this machine?

Here are some additional photos that I took this afternoon. All I have available to me for this right now is my cell phone so please forgive the poor quality.

Thanks for the help thus far and the help to come! It is greatly appreciated!!

Cheers!
- Daniel

 

[Farmer Dodds]

You will have a ground wire to attach to the work as well. Before using much you should get an air dryer to hook up to your shop air (with a filter) before your plasma cutter to ensure clean dry air. Air with moisture will shorten the life of your consumables (tips and electrodes) and may also plug the pump within the machine.