plasma cutter

[kayco53]

kayco53, what is the health issue with plasma cutting?

Not at home right now but here is a link. Its mostly the fumes . If you use it quite a bit without a respirator you do feel it.We always use a respirator.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/fod/infodocs/668_22.pdf

 

[2manyrocks]

Thanks for the link.

I noticed that the link suggested making plasma cuts in a water tank to reduce fumes and noise, but then pointed out that some machines are for dry use only and then the link brought up the risk of legionaires disease when water tanks are used.

Is plasma cutting any worse health wise than cutting with a torch? Does the air pressure of plasma cutting tend to areate more fumes or something?

There used to be a saying that you don't see many old welders.

 

[alltoys]

There used to be a saying that you don't see many old welders.

Welding is tough on the body did it professionally for 30 plus years. Not many welders stay in the trade till retirement.

 

[smfcpacfp]

You can get the Chincom "stuff" on ebay. Most of what ive read on them hasnt been the most flattering, but some have been happy with their purchase. Have a look on Weldingweb and see whats there.

Is there a reason you want plasma? Cheap and plasma dont go together as the others have said. You'll also need good air filtration or youll go thru consumables quickly.

A Oxy/acet torch with bottles can be bought for under $500. ~$200 for a brand name torch (Victor) and bottles for under $300. A torch will also give you a more flexable tool than a plasma. You can weld, braze, cut (thicker) and probably most important heat with a torch. Just something to think about.

Just so you know prices have risen.

I just bought an Oxy/Acet rig - Victor medium duty torch set up ($276), tanks ($470), Cart ($125), fees, fill up, tax - Total $1,014. New from Airgas

The virtue of this rig is that I can both cut and weld, some pretty thick stuff. I enjoy welding with O/A although it is horribly inefficient. As much as I like a plasma cutter, I like the versatility of the O/A torch.

 

[Scooby074]

Just so you know prices have risen.

I just bought an Oxy/Acet rig - Victor medium duty torch set up ($276), tanks ($470), Cart ($125), fees, fill up, tax - Total $1,014. New from Airgas

The virtue of this rig is that I can both cut and weld, some pretty thick stuff. I enjoy welding with O/A although it is horribly inefficient. As much as I like a plasma cutter, I like the versatility of the O/A torch.

Thanks for the update. Ive had mine for at least 5 years so no doubt prices on torch sets have gone up. Currently Air Liquide has their mid size torch set on for $269, but youll still need bottles. They also have their light duty set on for 399, and that includes size 4&2 bottles, but id probably pass on that set. The small bottles cost almost as much as the larger ones to fill. Bare in mind that these are Canadian prices, and we typically pay more up here than in the US.
http://www.blueshield.ca/en/docs/pdf/AIRLIQUIDE_spring09_en.pdf

You must be using the "large" bottles? We cant own them here, only the "small-mid size" (8's &9's) or smaller. Everything else is lease ($100/yr for a size 14&16 set). Last time i got a refill you could buy size 8 and 9 for $150 each + fill. If you keep a eye on the want adds you can find a 8&9 set for $200.

 

[kayco53]

Thanks for the link.

I noticed that the link suggested making plasma cuts in a water tank to reduce fumes and noise, but then pointed out that some machines are for dry use only and then the link brought up the risk of legionaires disease when water tanks are used.

Is plasma cutting any worse health wise than cutting with a torch? Does the air pressure of plasma cutting tend to areate more fumes or something?

There used to be a saying that you don't see many old welders.

Been in trade 32 years,Anyway our plasma table was set up to cut plate with just the top out of the water. Really cuts down smoke and the time to clean the back of the plate which would have smoke on it.
Most steel was cut with oxy/propane.We use the plasma on thin steel to cut down distortion and on stainless steel.Most people consider the plasma worse than the torch. No real visible smoke but a fair amount of dust from the torch. Guys wear mask if you doing a fair bit by hand.

 

[smfcpacfp]

Thanks for the update. Ive had mine for at least 5 years so no doubt prices on torch sets have gone up. Currently Air Liquide has their mid size torch set on for $269, but youll still need bottles. They also have their light duty set on for 399, and that includes size 4&2 bottles, but id probably pass on that set. The small bottles cost almost as much as the larger ones to fill. Bare in mind that these are Canadian prices, and we typically pay more up here than in the US.
http://www.blueshield.ca/en/docs/pdf/AIRLIQUIDE_spring09_en.pdf

You must be using the "large" bottles? We cant own them here, only the "small-mid size" (8's &9's) or smaller. Everything else is lease ($100/yr for a size 14&16 set). Last time i got a refill you could buy size 8 and 9 for $150 each + fill. If you keep a eye on the want adds you can find a 8&9 set for $200.

The oxygen is 125 CF and the acte is 145 CF. I am not sure wht the size # is. I live in the boonies and the economy here is pretty good, so I have been looking for welding stuff, but nothing has been for sale, unfortunately.

 

[Scooby074]

The oxygen is 125 CF and the acte is 145 CF. I am not sure wht the size # is. I live in the boonies and the economy here is pretty good, so I have been looking for welding stuff, but nothing has been for sale, unfortunately.

Your tanks are bigger than mine. Mine are 75 Cf Ace and 100 Oxy (sizes 14 and 16). Size numbers are based on water capacity in L.

 

[Ductape]

Just so you know prices have risen.

I just bought an Oxy/Acet rig - Victor medium duty torch set up ($276), tanks ($470), Cart ($125), fees, fill up, tax - Total $1,014. New from Airgas

The virtue of this rig is that I can both cut and weld, some pretty thick stuff. I enjoy welding with O/A although it is horribly inefficient. As much as I like a plasma cutter, I like the versatility of the O/A torch.

Do they hit you with a "rental" fee on the tanks? My BIL turned his in since he was getting charged over a hundred per year for tank rental. Don't know if its just our area, but the welding supply places won't fill tanks that you own for "safety" reasons, so you have no choice but to rent their tanks.

 

[J_J]

I used to rent tanks also, but after being dumb for three years, I finally purchased the tanks. The rent kept going up, and they started adding a hazard fee. I believe the rent started around $11.00 per tank per month. Here in Florida, I just take my tanks and put them on the loading dock,and they exchange them, and I pay and leave. You could have them fill your own shiny new tanks, but it would take a day or two. The reason they don't like to fill other vender's or owner tanks is because of the testing requirements.

You might be able to have the vendor re-certify your tank, and I think that will cost you, but it will put you in good with the welding gas supplier. If you open an account, it just might help also. I will try and find out what they do to re-certify a tank.