Do plasma cutters wear out?

[denmansoft]

Rob:
I guess you haven't you filled that shop yet. Looking for more toys!

[ovrszd]

Rob,
I'm kinda surprised you don't have a Plasma Cutter. A man of your talent would certainly enjoy one. Using a guide you can cut a line amazingly smooth. Reguires a lot less grinding and best of all minimizes metal heat. All that's required is a good clean air supply. Consumables are minimal. I use a Miller 625. I think I paid around $1400. It's awesome on anything 3/8 thickness and under. Will cut thicker but slows down to get a clean cut. I don't have any pics of anything tractor oriented but here's a few of a Jeep bumper I cut from flat steel. I rarely use my OA torch anymore and probably burn more fuel thru it lighting the shop wood stove in winter than anything else.

Edit: Forgot to mention, consumables are extremely cheap!!!! I've used my cutter a LOT. I've replaced several tips and other consumables in the gun and haven't spent $50 yet.

[patrick_g]

Originally Posted by 3RRL

Pat, How about posting some pictures for us to gawk at?

Rob, I'll try to think of what might illustrate the results of using a plasma cutter and if I get any good ideas I'll post pix. Many of my plasma cuts are subsequently welded but I will try to get pix of something.

A piece of steel sliced (ripped to use saw language) is not all that photogenic. Maybe a closeup macro photo of the cut edge... I used to have a pile of little steel circles which I used a template to cut out. The pieces were the scrap and the holes were what I was after (access to use a socket to tighten bolts. I have used most of the scrap circles for various things.

Rob, I'll stay alert to taking pix of something illustrative of a plasma cut and will post.

I'm afraid it will not be impressive or particularly photogenic.

Pat

[patrick_g]

Terrific bumper fabrication. Of course we'll have to take your word that a plasma cutter was involved.

That it the difficulty I have. Not much in the way of cut edges to show off.

Pat

[AlanB]

Rob, I know you did not ask me, but thought I would offer this view.

The plasma is great in that you can pattern cut from easily made patterns (luan plywood and a scroll saw) and you can do those "limited" production runs that are not worth dialing in a larger machine, yet, you can duplicate fairly accurately by hand.

Here is a link to a bike for sale that has one of th rear brake assemblies I made on it. Dad actually plasma'd these out for me then I welded and assembled them.

I think we built about 15 or so.

2001 Sherco 50 - Topic Powered by eve community

I think it is a "torchmate" that works real well with the plasma as well and Williams lowbuck tools had a pantagram setup at one point, I think he just sells the magnets now that I have always wanted.

Dad uses his an awful lot for stripping out stuff for re-use, for example he got a whole lot of aluminum cabinet doors from something. He takes the plasma, puts the edge of the tip against the raised lip of the door and then drags along cutting off the lip, it "instantly" gives him nice aluminum sheets to work with and they have no lips or edges.

The way I would sell one is to ask someone to think of a torch, now think that you can turn the torch on and off at the touch of a button, now that torch will cut any material (basically) and will do it like drawing with a pencil.

That is why I use a Plasma

Another example that requires a bit of prior knowledge to work, have you ever seen the guy demo a Dillon / Henrob Torch? You ever then tried to use one yourself? (much the same as watching the demo of a Shopsmith) Well a Plasma lets you do the Dillong Henrob demo with your existing skillset, with the exception of I never had the guts to try the fingernail bit. (you have to have seen the demo to make sense)

[3RRL]

Thanks for the great explanations and photos guys.
I had my buddy Larry get some stuff plasma cut for a couple projects now. The hydraulic gauge wheels and Loretta's grapple jaws and I got interested in getting one. I am concerned, since I'm an old timer and get things done via my machining skills, so I was wondering about the other uses around the ranch. I might not always be building new projects, (know what I mean). And I know it's a fairly sizable investment to get a decent one. That's why I'm asking. I sure do appreciate the information.
Pat, go ahead and show your projects like the others did, so I can get an idea what another old guy does with his...