Rapid Ref : W100000332

Lincoln Electric LC45 Gouging Shield Cap (Pack of 3)
W100000332

Name: Lincoln Electric LC45 Gouging Shield Cap (Pack of 3)
SKU: W100000332
Price: 48.03 GBP

£48.03 EX VAT

SSP Suggested Selling Price = £53.37 YOU SAVE £5.34

Buy in 3 easy interest free payments of £16.01^† with

Tomahawk 45 LC45 Consumables FAQs

Plain answers on choosing, fitting and looking after the wearing parts of a hand-held plasma cutting torch.

Which parts of a hand-held plasma torch count as consumables?

On most hand-held plasma torches the consumables are the electrode, the nozzle (sometimes called the tip), the swirl ring, the retaining cap and the shield cap. The electrode and nozzle create and focus the arc, so they wear fastest. The shield cap protects the parts behind it, and the swirl ring controls how the gas flows around the arc.

Some torches also have small O-rings and other seals that should be checked whenever the torch is stripped down. Your manual shows exactly which parts your torch uses and the order they fit in.

Which parts wear first, and how can I tell they are worn?

The electrode and nozzle usually wear first. A falling cut quality is often the first sign: a wider kerf, more dross on the underside, a ragged edge or an arc that is hard to start. Look at the nozzle for an orifice that is enlarged, out of round, nicked or melted, and at the electrode for pitting or a burnt, rounded tip.

If cut quality is poor and the electrode and nozzle have been changed, the swirl ring is the usual next thing to check. Running parts until they fail can damage the shield cap and the torch head as well, so inspect them regularly rather than waiting for a failure.

When should I replace the electrode, and should the nozzle go with it?

The electrode has a small insert in its tip that wears into a pit. Makers publish a pit-depth limit for their electrodes, and the limit depends on the current the torch is rated for, so use the figure in your manual. Replace it sooner if the pit is off-centre, has rough edges or reaches past the insert.

When you replace an electrode because of that wear, replace the nozzle at the same time. A new electrode in a worn nozzle often gives an unstable arc and poor cuts. Before checking or changing parts, switch off and isolate the machine as the manual instructs.

Can I clean and reuse a shield cap?

Often, yes. A shield cap that is undamaged can usually be cleaned of molten metal spatter and reused. Check the hole in the middle: if it is still round and the cap has no cracks, erosion or melted areas, it can go back on. If it is damaged, replace it.

Use the cleaning tools the maker recommends, because the wrong tool can scratch or enlarge the parts. Clean the retaining cap and the seating faces too, so that the parts sit squarely and the gas cannot escape around them.

See all 6 questions for this category