Powermax Cartridge Hand Torch Parts FAQs
Answers to common questions about single-piece cartridge consumables and adaptors for hand-held plasma torches.
What is the difference between hand cutting and mechanised cartridges?
Cartridges are made for particular jobs, and makers often use colour coding to show which process each is intended for. Typically one type is designed for hand cutting, including drag cutting, while another is designed for mechanised cutting or for when you prefer to hold a manual standoff when cutting by hand. Further types are made for gouging and special jobs such as flush cutting.
Colour codes and names differ between makers, so do not rely on colour alone. Check the cartridge description, the current rating and the torch it is intended for in the manual or data sheet before you buy.
What is a drag cutting cartridge and when would I use one?
A drag cutting cartridge is designed so the front of the torch can rest on, or be lightly dragged along, the workpiece while cutting. This means you do not have to hold a set gap by hand, which many operators find easier, especially on longer straight cuts or when following a line or a guide.
It is a hand-cutting option rather than a different kind of machine. Dragging is intended only for consumables made for it, so do not drag a cartridge that is meant to be used with a held standoff. Your manual and cutting data will show the thicknesses and current settings the cartridge is designed for.
How is a gouging cartridge different from a cutting cartridge?
Cutting forces a tightly constricted arc through the metal to separate it. Gouging uses a wider, less focused arc and a torch held at an angle, so the metal is melted from the surface and blown to one side to leave a groove without cutting through. That is why gouging has its own consumables, with a larger nozzle opening than a cutting nozzle.
Gouging types usually include a control type for shallow work and beginners, a high-removal type for deep or heavy work, and a precision type for removing small amounts at low current. Many plasma systems have a gouging mode, so check the setting before you start.
What is a flush cutting cartridge used for?
A flush cutting cartridge is made for removing attachments such as lifting lugs, pad eyes or temporary weld supports close to the surface of the base metal. Its shield is designed to sit against the plate, and it is intended to leave less material to grind off afterwards than a standard cutting cartridge.
These consumables are specific to certain torches and current ranges, and they are not a substitute for a normal cutting or gouging cartridge on other work. Check the manual or parts guide for your torch to confirm compatibility, and use the cutting data it gives.