Plasma cutter - I may never buy acetylene again
06-24-2003, 02:52 PM
#1
Plasma cutter - I may never buy acetylene again Man, these things are great!
When my dad passed away, he left me one and I've finally begun using it.
I've never seen anything like it ... make cuts in 1/4" plate that are pencil thin and almost no slag. Cut 12 guage metal siding and barely scorch the paint.
When my dad passed away, he left me one and I've finally begun using it.
I've never seen anything like it ... make cuts in 1/4" plate that are pencil thin and almost no slag. Cut 12 guage metal siding and barely scorch the paint.
06-24-2003, 10:13 PM
#3
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Re: Plasma cutter - I may never buy acetylene again I love using them, but I've never used one big enough to cut 1/4" metal. Most I've seen wont cut nearly that thick.
They're neat though because you can cutout a pattern in regular computer paper if you want and then cut right around it with the plasma cutter and barely singe the paper
J.
They're neat though because you can cutout a pattern in regular computer paper if you want and then cut right around it with the plasma cutter and barely singe the paper
J.
06-24-2003, 11:28 PM
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Re: Plasma cutter - I may never buy acetylene again so give me some tips to cutting with one i have had one for a while and personaly liked cutting with a torch better. what shade linses are you using when using one. one thing is i can berely see what i am cutting. I have a thermal dynamics machine and use a little attachment that lets you touch the metal and the tip will be about 1/8" off the metal. and in the book the power settings were all almost the same. (the highest setting) it is suppost to cut through 1/4" plate. but i end up with as much slag as a torch.
please give me some advice.
Thanks Ryan
please give me some advice.
Thanks Ryan
06-25-2003, 07:05 AM
#6
Re: Plasma cutter - I may never buy acetylene again I use a combination of U/V protected sunglasses and a green shaded face shield when cutting. The arc is not as intense as a welding arc. cutting goggles work great!
If you are getting slag, you are moving too slow or you don't have enough air or the machine is "on the edge" of it's abilities.
I have a Miller Spectrum 250. It's supposed to handle up to 5?16" plate. But 1/4" is pushing the envelope. Most of what I cut is a LOT lighter than that.
For straight cuts, I use a guide ... 1/2" angle iron is perfect.
The shower of sparks is tremendous. It's like grinding dust and makes the floor really slippery.
I'm VERY new at using this, so any tips would definitely be appreciated.
If you are getting slag, you are moving too slow or you don't have enough air or the machine is "on the edge" of it's abilities.
I have a Miller Spectrum 250. It's supposed to handle up to 5?16" plate. But 1/4" is pushing the envelope. Most of what I cut is a LOT lighter than that.
For straight cuts, I use a guide ... 1/2" angle iron is perfect.
The shower of sparks is tremendous. It's like grinding dust and makes the floor really slippery.
I'm VERY new at using this, so any tips would definitely be appreciated.
06-25-2003, 08:22 PM
#7
Re: Plasma cutter - I may never buy acetylene again Make sure that the tip and electrode are new. If not, you will get rough cuts, and lots of slag.
You can lift the head off of the surface, and continue the cutting- easier to see that way.
Just Grab some sheet metal and go to town
You can lift the head off of the surface, and continue the cutting- easier to see that way.
Just Grab some sheet metal and go to town
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06-25-2003, 11:38 PM
#8
Re: Plasma cutter - I may never buy acetylene again Plasma cutters rock!!!!! We have had ours for over 6 years and it would be painfull to give it up.
I almost never use the acetylene/propalene unless I'm doing REALLY HEAVY stuff or I need to heat and bend something.
I almost never use the acetylene/propalene unless I'm doing REALLY HEAVY stuff or I need to heat and bend something.
06-26-2003, 09:43 AM
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Re: Plasma cutter - I may never buy acetylene again We have a little can of goo that you dip the tip in before using too.
If you never use it, and never clean out the tip, you'll eventually be screwed.
If you never use it, and never clean out the tip, you'll eventually be screwed.
07-04-2003, 03:52 AM
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Re: Plasma cutter - I may never buy acetylene again Ya they rock! I picked up a small 115v Hobart Airforce 250 (without the internal compressor)for $720. Works wonders!
07-14-2003, 07:43 AM
#16
Re: Plasma cutter - I may never buy acetylene again This thread got me to dust off mine and learn to use it. Glad I did! It takes a bit of practice to find the right speed ... I had no trouble with 20g sheetmetal (1024 steel), but 18g was a little trickier.
Great tool!
jp
Great tool!
jp
07-25-2003, 07:31 PM
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Re: Plasma cutter - I may never buy acetylene again Ive used one, makes me want to give up using blades and torches for everything for everything that need to be cut
08-11-2003, 04:19 PM
#19
Re: Plasma cutter - I may never buy acetylene again Who makes one thats the "best bang for the buck?" I'd like to get one for the house because the torch does the job, but way to much grinding to clean it up. Ive already got a good MIG welder and I think that a plasma cutter would be nice to add to the collection. I dont want to spend a lot of money on one, thats why I ask if they make a really good one, but at a reasonalble price. Thanks
