I bought a plasma cutter (INE Skyline 33)

[Jawn]

Just got a new plasma cutter. Not a lot out there on this model, so I guess I'm taking a bit of a chance, but it's not the usual Chinese plasma cutter (it's Italian... fra-gee-lay!) and I got it for what I think is decent price (under 600).

https://www.ine.it/en/welding_detail/200/skyline-33-skyline-33-plasma-cutter

Since I don't have any prior plasma cutting experience, this is not presented as a review but more as general info since I found relatively little out there on these.

The basics:
230v only and comes with a NEMA 6-20 plug (US-style 20 amp)
10 to 33 amp output
Manufacturer claims up to 15mm cut in mild steel
Built in regulator/filter on the back, digital pressure readout on front panel.
Work clamp has what seems like good quality cable (10mm^2, or a bit bigger than #8) and a Dinse style connector.

Comes in a blow-mold case.

Split the case open, one compartment for the main unit, one for cables etc.

All spread out. Trafimet S45 torch, counting what's preinstalled it came with 2 electrodes and 3 nozzles. Enough to get me started. Operationally, a press of the knob will trigger air pressure readout on the front (in bar) and also turn on the air briefly so you can see what the pressure is as it flows and after it stops. Same knob also adjusts output power from 10 to 33 amps. Controls are large and can be operated with gloves.

Back of the unit shows the filter/regulator and 6-20 plug. Air inlet is a quick-connect 6mm OD tube (included) with a 6mm quick-connect to 1/4 NPT fitting (also included). Milton V plug shown was not included. Not shown, in an effort to keep debris and moisture out of the unit I put one of the disposable plastic spray gun filters inline.

1.25" by .25" angle... ignore the left leg of it, that was my amateur **** trying to get the hang of it. Clamped something on to act as a guide and my cut was much improved.

I guess I would do well to get or make some kind of standoff to keep the torch an appropriate distance from the work. That or get drag tips.

Not sure if INE has any kind of service center in the US or if broken units go back to Italy, but hopefully I won't have to find out.

 

[losvre]

Nice!

Sent from my SM-A510F using Tapatalk

 

[davewo]

Looks like a very nice unit. I've been buying their mig and tig wire for years.

 

[Jawn]

A friend with more experience plasma cutting says I'm trying to cut too fast. Also, I find it difficult to hold the torch at the right distance off the work... so I've ordered a standoff along with more consumables. After that shows up I'll set up some 1/4 plate that needs cut and give it another go.

 

[Brand X]

I bought two off of amazon. If you would of waited it was heading down $ 465 was the cheapest one I got.. Had or have every major brand of Plasma cutter.. The INE is a real quality power supply. The power unit adjusts for size of generator used,pilot arc amps,14-20) sleep/pause timer, vari-speed fan, Don't run too much air pressure or your air starting will be erratic. It's in bar like 5.9 max.. convert to PSI, and don's go over 70 psi. Lower it a bit if you have issues.Use the .08 MM tips although you can us the lower amp .065 MM tips too. (thinner kerf.)

Use factory consumables (only).. I can send you links if you want.With the standard factory standoff you will have to make sure the air pressure is correct. The standoff will mess with your starting, but lower pressure helps again..

You can buy original consumables on-line from e-bay or right at the site.. Even Sellers sometimes offer original factory stuff. Swirl ring is reversible to change the swirl of the arc..Handy for us lefties.. That machine will cut a 100 times better then you shown. find something that will hold a standoff, and ride on the cup/tip area..

I have and do own Hypertherm,Thermal dynamics,Esab cutters in the early, and latest config.. Just so you know the Little INE will only do as nice of job as you can pull smoothly..

If you orders China made tips they are all junk..Just for your info..You can get by with some of the china electrodes, but why save anything there? Not worth it..


Found a pic of what the machine will cut like..190ms This is with a little bit of standoff with a straight edge..

PS-INE mig wire is good stuff..

 

[Brand X]

This guy has a website somewhere for cheaper prices..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-ORIGINAL-...737962?hash=item28434be06a:g:zsoAAOSw-YBXGk0C

These are the Italy made ones, and 1000 times better then the cheaper junk..You can buy what you want, but just a heads up..

 

[Brand X]

Found some more pics..
One shows if you shorten the black air tube, the fitting will lay flat against the machine when unplugged from the air line. severed some .750 with it too..

 

[Jawn]

I bought two off of amazon. If you would of waited it was heading down $ 465 was the cheapest one I got..

I was afraid that if I waited any longer somebody else would buy the one unit that amazon would sell cheap... as I saw, immediately after I bought it the price skyrocketed. I feel good about the price.

Had or have every major brand of Plasma cutter.. The INE is a real quality power supply. The power unit adjusts for size of generator used,pilot arc amps,14-20) sleep/pause timer, vari-speed fan, Don't run too much air pressure or your air starting will be erratic. It's in bar like 5.9 max.. convert to PSI, and don's go over 70 psi. Lower it a bit if you have issues.Use the .08 MM tips although you can us the lower amp .065 MM tips too. (thinner kerf.)

I had it down to 70psi going into the built in regulator, and the front panel showed 3.8-4.6 bar with air flowing and not flowing.

Use factory consumables (only).. I can send you links if you want.With the standard factory standoff you will have to make sure the air pressure is correct. The standoff will mess with your starting, but lower pressure helps again..

You can buy original consumables on-line from e-bay or right at the site.. Even Sellers sometimes offer original factory stuff. Swirl ring is reversible to change the swirl of the arc..Handy for us lefties.. That machine will cut a 100 times better then you shown. find something that will hold a standoff, and ride on the cup/tip area..

I found some original consumables online and ordered them along with the wire standoff.

Random question... the manual cautions against touching the workpiece while cutting because it claims it will have an electric charge... yet I see many videos of (gloved) hands resting on a workpiece to steady the torch while cutting. Is the manual being over-cautious and is that an acceptable practice?

I would certainly hope it'll cut better than my first try... assuming you use the same username elsewhere, I think it was your posts in another forum I found while googling for info on this unit. My pic was just "Hey it cuts!", not "Look what it'll do!". Clearly I have to work on setup and technique but was pressed for time when I first tried it out.

PS-INE mig wire is good stuff..

Good to know. I saw that stuff and was tempted to pick some up when I get close to finishing off what I have on hand.

 

[Brand X]

Glove is a good idea.. Will you get shocked without it..Probably not 99 % of the time..It's that 1% that will wake you up.. resting the gloved hand is totally fine, and can help steady yourself. My 120 amp cutter never bit me..

I would run 90 psi min. to the back of the cutter, and run it just a bit lower then 70 psi. Flowing too little air, and it won't cool the consumables. It's only when it has trouble lighting off is when you dial it down a bit.Not at the compressor, but using the regulator on the plasma.

As far as your cuts.. I did not want others to think you bought a cheap China cutter,. That's why I posted what it really has going for it. I also posted info to speed up your Learning curve with that machine, not to hurt your feelings..Since I been down that trail, figured you might be interested in some of this..

Yes I am the Brand X that screws with Jim Colt at Hypertherm . Even though I own one..

 

[Jawn]

Been a while, finally dug this out for another few cuts... 1/4" steel plate. Current set wide open (33A). Air untouched from previous settings (~3.8 bar flowing, 4.6 bar not flowing).

With a guide and standoff, definitely a better cut than the wobbly **** I did before. But with the **** hanging off the cut, still not sure if I'm moving too fast or what.

 

[slackdaddy1]

looked on Amazon,, they are over 1000.00 for that money Thermal Dynamics ?

 

[Jawn]

looked on Amazon,, they are over 1000.00 for that money Thermal Dynamics ?

I had camelcamelcamel alert me when the price dropped and it immediately went up after I bought it. I would not have paid near $1k+ for it. I was looking for a step above the Chinese ones, but not Thermal Dynamics money.