Rapid Ref : W100000344

Lincoln Electric LC45 Easy to Reach Electrode (Pack of 3)
W100000344

Name: Lincoln Electric LC45 Easy to Reach Electrode (Pack of 3)
SKU: W100000344
Price: 52.13 GBP

£52.13 EX VAT

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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.

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.

What does the swirl ring do, and what should I check on it and the O-rings?

The swirl ring spins the gas around the arc so that it is stable and cools the parts. Clogged or cracked gas holes make the cut worse and can shorten the life of the electrode and nozzle. A swirl ring that has been dropped can chip or crack, so check it by eye every time you change the electrode.

Check O-rings for cuts, flattening and dryness. Use only a very light coat of the lubricant the maker recommends, never general grease, because too much lubricant can clog holes and cause arcing. The right replacement interval depends on the torch and how it is used.

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