Plasma cutter question - Do I want a pilot arc?

[scouthead]

I'm gonna pull the trigger on a plasma in the next week. Probably going to be a chinese, just not sure which one yet.

My question: Do I want a pilot arc unit?

The pilot arc makes it easier to START a cut right? Does it do anything else?
I get the impression a pilot unit has to have the torch held OFF the surface of the material that's being cut?

On a unit without the pilot, you have to touch the tip to the workpiece to make contact... do you then pull away from the material as you are cutting? or drag the tip the whole way?

 

[fj40charles]

I'm gonna pull the trigger on a plasma in the next week. Probably going to be a chinese, just not sure which one yet.

My question: Do I want a pilot arc unit?

The pilot arc makes it easier to START a cut right? Does it do anything else?
I get the impression a pilot unit has to have the torch held OFF the surface of the material that's being cut?

On a unit without the pilot, you have to touch the tip to the workpiece to make contact... do you then pull away from the material as you are cutting? or drag the tip the whole way?

Yes, you want a pilot arc. Basically a high frequency start so you don't have to touch the torch to the metal to establish an arc.