1. TIPS ON ADJUSTING THE CATHODE ASSEMBLY

1. The PRIOR way described in the Operating Manual to adjust the Cathode Assembly was to use the combination tool and set the cathode assembly using the green dot on the combination tool when cutting and use the red dot when setting the cathode assembly for welding. The START button needs to be turned all the way clockwise so you can get to the screw that tightens the cathode assembly and also to give you maximum travel. You can install the Cathode Assembly without recommended procedure in the Operating Manual, but “It will limit the guns travel/voltage”
2. If you are having trouble adjusting the voltage down you may want to check the setting of the Cathode Assembly. Make sure it is set according to Operating Manual and it has not been set to far clockwise or counter clockwise.

 

2. SAFETY TIPS

1. Do not wear contact lenses when welding or cutting. The UV rays could possibly melt the contact lenses onto your eyeball.
2. Wear the correct clothing to protect yourself from sparks and splatter when welding and cutting. Always wear the prescribed protective clothing that your employer or jobsite recommends. You can wear 100% but it deteriorates rapidly under infrared and ultraviolet rays. Synthetic material gives little or no protection and can actually melt to your skin causing severe burns.
3. When using the Multiplaz 3500 use eyewear (goggles, glasses, faceshield, etc.) with a number 5.5 to 7 numbered lens. Anything over a number 7 welding lens will be difficult to see.
4. You can use up to a 100 foot extension cord made out of 14 gage wire before it effects the Multiplaz 3500 output.

 

3. TIPS TO INCREASE THE LIFE OF THE TIP AND PLASTIC HOUSING

1. Use a thermal barrier applied on the tip and end of the gun to reflect heat and keep splatter from the welding and cutting process from sticking to the tip and reflect heat from gun. You want to keep a stainless wire brush or file near to clean splatter off of tip if it does get on the tip. The splatter can interfere with the welding or cutting process.
2. There are several different “thermal barriers” that you can purchase. One being NoChar that is a polymer paste that can be applied to the whole front end of the guns including the tips. Another thermal barrier product is “Nozzle Gel” that is the consistency of Vaseline and the gun needs to be hot before you dip the tip into it so it does not plug up the hole and make starting the gun difficult. Another product out there is called “Splatter Shield”. These are just suggestions and examples of some of the many different thermal barrier products that can be purchased.
3. It is best not to let the gun run out of fluid which causes it to overheat and shut off. When you do shut the gun off and refill it when the flame starts to elongate and the voltage drops and instead let it run out of fluid the over heating damages the quartz tube.

 

4. TIPS ON WORKING WITH ALUMINUM, COPPER AND BRASS

1. When working with Aluminum, Copper and brass you need to use a non metallic surface underneath them so it will not draw the heat of the part being worked on. You need to preheat Aluminum, Copper and Brass before welding or cutting.. If you weld or cut the listed alloys metals on something like a metal or aluminum table you will have a difficult time trying to preheat the part because at the same time you are preheating the heat is being drawn away by the metal or aluminum.
2. Please see the item 7 link called Welding Aluminum for specific tips on welding Aluminum.

 

5. TIPS ON GROUNDING

1. Grounding is very important when using Mode II. Make sure the part you are working on is properly grounded and grounded as close where you are going to cut or weld as you can get. If you notice an erratic arc and cannot figure out why, check to make sure you are getting a good ground.
2. Purchase a FULL CONTACT GROUND CLAMP. Multiplaz provides with every unit a “tooth” gounding clamp, similar to a battery cable. This works very well on lighter and thinner metals, however, when working with thicker metals and the Mode 2 setting, users are reporting much better success with a heavier “full contact” end ground clamp. This clamp provides better impedance and users are reporting faster, easier cuts and some are cutting to ½”. Seems to be worth the investment.