Any experience with lead in types and pierces

Problems and questions
1

:question: I’m trying to figure out what are the best lead ins to use and pierces. I understand that alot of folks like the arc in, but I have also heard that this is a mistake with plasma and that you should only use a perpendicular lead in. Do you guys have a favorite? Do some work better for certian areas and not others? I have just started cutting and it is hard for me to tease out at this point what options provide the best cut.

:question: Also peirce’s what are the advantages of each and Do people have experience with which works the best?

2

A lot of this tends to be personal preference. Let’s take an example of cutting a round hole. A perpendicular leadin may leave a small bump on the outside of the hole. An arc leadin would probably leave a small bump on the inside of the hole. Really you need to experiment to see what works best fro your setup.

Wiggle or ramp piercing are better than a straight down pierce. The problem with piercing straight down is that the molten metal blows back into the torch nozzle, damaging it.