plasma cutter

Centerplate · Jun 7, 2022

I just bought one and I am on the learning curve. When I get an intense blue flame it cuts really well. If the flame is smaller and less intense, it craps out. Can you give me some tips on learning this machine?

JGayman · Jun 7, 2022

What make/model machine do you have?

caterpillar guy · Jun 7, 2022

I don't know a thing about them but would like to knnow more as I would like to look into one to cut thicker plate and other material. Thicker plate would be like 1 inch or more sometimes. It would need to cut as fast as a torch or might as well stick with it.

glennster · Jun 7, 2022

make sure your air supply is dry. plasma cutters do not like moisture in the air lines.

SDMike · Jun 7, 2022

X2 what glennster says. In addition, make sure you have a good and tight ground, and your consumables(electrode and nozzle) are not wore out. I have a Hypertherm Max 43 rated for 3/8 but it will cut up to 1/2.

Mike

Janicholson · Jun 7, 2022

A signal is passed from the tip of the torch to the metal being cut. This signal is absolutely not the the current that heats the air. Internal to the torch tip is an air gap and internal electrodes with tungsten center and copper return. The air is forced to spiral into this chamber, where the arc superheats it to 40,000 degrees. Unlike a fuel gas cutting system the air does not start the metal on fire, it just heats it and blows the heated metal out the cut bottom. If there is a poor signal ground, the torch will initially fire up in pilot mode for a few seconds. Usually about 2 or 3. If a signal is not detected the electronics will shut off the current of the pilot flame. So-- when arc welding we tend to think the ground clamp can be on a bit of rust, and it will burn through and the arc will proceed. At 80 or more amps this is likely. The signal in a plasma torch can be much less than an amp, more like milliamps. CNC plasma torches operate above the cut, not touching at all. Thus they rely on the conductivity of the plasma (it is) to establish the signal. I hope this helps. Jim

Centerplate · Jun 7, 2022

The machine is a Titanium Plasma 45. (Harbor Freight) It is not a super high price machine. I am making cuts on material 1/8 inch thick. The dial is set at 28. Not sure what that number is. Jan, you gave me some good pointers to keep an eye on. I will go do some more practicing.

Glenster, I have a dryer in the machine and I added one in front of that one.

I understand they cut thick material much slower.

This post was edited by Centerplate on 06/07/2022 at 06:50 pm.

504 · Jun 7, 2022

THat will take a big machine. The advantage of plasma is the finished cut,with practice it looks like a hack saw went through it. I have a customer running a table that cuts 2.5 inch stuff,of course it cost more than I made in the last ten years.

glennster · Jun 7, 2022

one ich capacity is a big machine. here is a link to selecting a machine. i have an older thermodynamics pak 5 xt. it is a half inch capacity machine. i think i paid 2500 or so probably 20 years ago.
plasma torches

UncleTom · Jun 8, 2022

When my brother bought his plasma cutter I hung a magnetic sighn on the wall. Used it for an hour. The sighn as very fine metallic dust stuck to it. Most people dont know, but you are breathing metallic particles. Just saying.

timcasbolt · Jun 8, 2022

(quoted from post at 01:13:17 06/08/22) THat will take a big machine. The advantage of plasma is the finished cut,with practice it looks like a hack saw went through it. I have a customer running a table that cuts 2.5 inch stuff,of course it cost more than I made in the last ten years.

he advantage for me is not needing to buy oxygen.

plasma cutter

Centerplate

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JGayman

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caterpillar guy

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glennster

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SDMike

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Janicholson

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Centerplate

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504

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glennster

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UncleTom

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timcasbolt

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