If you bought a plasma cutter from The Tool Shed and now you’re trying to figure out what consumables fit it… you’re not alone.
When I bought my first plasma cutter, I didn’t even know what “consumables” meant.
I thought you just pulled the trigger and it cut metal forever.
Then the tip blew out.
Then I realised there were different electrodes.
Then I realised there were different torch styles.
And that’s when the confusion started.
If you’ve got a Toolshed plasma cutter, the first thing you need to know is this:
It’s not about the brand name on the machine.
It’s about the torch on the end of the lead.
Get that right and buying tips and electrodes becomes simple.
Get it wrong and you’ll keep ordering the wrong bloody parts.
Step 1 – Identify What Torch Your Toolshed Plasma Cutter Uses
Most plasma cutters sold through Toolshed in NZ use one of two common torch styles:
● PT31 / LG40 (scratch-start)
● AG60 (pilot-arc)
Not 100% of their machines use these.
But the majority of 40A and 50A style machines you’ll see in NZ sheds fall into one of those two camps.
Let’s work out which one you’ve got.
If The Tip Pushes In → You’ve Got PT31 / LG40 (Scratch-Start)
Take the front cap off your torch.
If the cutting tip:
● Pushes in
● Does NOT screw in
And the electrode:
● Is double-ended
● Can be flipped around
You’re running a PT31 / LG40 scratch-start torch.
This is extremely common on entry-level and mid-range Toolshed plasma cutter models.
You’ll see it on heaps of:
● CUT40 style machines
● CUT50 style machines
● Generic Chinese-built units rebranded for NZ
Standard vs Extended (Don’t Mix Them)
PT31 / LG40 consumables come in:
● Standard length
● Extended length
Both fit the same torch body.
If you use an extended electrode, you must use extended tips.
If you use standard electrode, you use standard tips.
Do not mix them together.
When I first started, I mixed them without realising.
Hard starts.
Ugly arc.
Tips wearing out way too fast.
Nothing was broken.
It was just the wrong combo.
What “Scratch-Start” Actually Means
If your Toolshed plasma cutter is scratch-start, it means:
You must touch the metal to start the arc.
Pull trigger.
Touch steel.
Lift slightly. Arc starts.
There’s no internal pilot arc firing first.
Simple system.
Cheap.
Reliable.
That’s why PT31 / LG40 consumables are everywhere in NZ.
If The Electrode Screws In → You’ve Got AG60 (Pilot-Arc)
If the electrode:
● Screws into the torch
● Is not double-ended
And the tip:
● Also screws in
You’ve likely got an AG60 pilot-arc torch.
Some higher-end Toolshed plasma cutter models use this setup.
What “Pilot-Arc” Means (Compared to Scratch-Start)
Pilot-arc means the torch creates a small arc internally before it touches the metal.
You pull the trigger.
The torch fires.
Then the arc transfers to the steel.
You do not need to touch the metal to start it.
Better for:
● Rusty steel
● Painted steel
● Mesh
● Dirty material
Different system.
Different torch.
Different consumables.
Why Toolshed Plasma Cutter Listings Can Be Confusing
You’ll see:
● Different amperage ratings
● Different shapes
● Different naming
That’s because Toolshed sells consumables for multiple torch types.
Always identify your torch first.
Then buy parts that match that torch.
What Tips & Electrodes Fit Most Toolshed Plasma Cutters?
Push-in tip + double-ended electrode → PT31 / LG40 consumables.
Screw-in electrode → AG60 consumables.
Those two cover the majority of common NZ workshop machines in this range.
Quick Tip: If Your Tips Are Burning Out Fast
If you’re blowing through tips quickly, it’s not always the consumable’s fault.
Air pressure.
Post-flow.
Wrong electrode length. Incorrect pairing.
Final Word
When it comes to a Toolshed plasma cutter, the brand name doesn’t matter as much as the torch style.
Figure that out first.
Everything else becomes easy.