Air Compressors

sea2summit · Jan 27, 2019

Wha's everyone using to push air to their plasma cutters? I have an old DeWalt that I thought I'd be able to limp along but it turns out that's not the case

So what's the smallest I could probably get by with(I'd like to not have it bolted to the garage floor and don't have 220)? What brand? My initial research is pointing me toward the 20 gal Ingersoll Rand garage mate https://m.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200375221_200375221?cm_mmc=Google-pla&utm_source=Google_PLA&utm_medium=Air%20Tools%20%2B%20Compressors%20%3E%20Portable%20Air%20Compressors%20%3E%202%20-%209%20Cfm%20Air%20Compressors&utm_campaign=Ingersoll%20Rand&utm_content=1592073&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIu56b3ZqP4AIVnrXACh1d4gc7EAQYAyABEgJTdvD_BwE

Opinions?

ETA I did search and the last applicable thread appears to be more than five years old.

downsizingnow48 · Jan 27, 2019

I use the IR garage mate with a Hypertherm 45 works fine for what I do.

sandfs · Jan 27, 2019

Your cutter should list the pressure range and cfm it needs. Having a large reserve can help a bit but the basic good policy is to meet or exceed the plasma cutters minimum requirements.

sea2summit · Jan 27, 2019

sandfs said:
Your cutter should list the pressure range and cfm it needs. Having a large reserve can help a bit but the basic good policy is to meet or exceed the plasma cutters minimum requirements.

Yes, but a compressor capable of sustained 6 cfm is outside of my price range. I'd like tank capacity to run cut say a 30-40 seconds (about 24" of cutting in 3/8" material), which in my case is about 18-20 gallons of air but since I can't use every bit of pressure from the tank I'm looking to see what others are doing. Since I need 80+ psi I'll really only be able to use about ~40% of the capacity (roughly if it's a 140 psi working) so when the pump kicks on at ~100 psi providing 5.5 cfm it isn't going to maintain but it will probably get me to the 30-40 seconds of cut time I'm shooting for. This is all beer math so take it for what it's worth. In the end I'm looking for other's experience to help me with the minimum size that keeps the project moving without unnecessary delays for waiting on air.

sea2summit · Jan 27, 2019

downsizingnow48 said:
I use the IR garage mate with a Hypertherm 45 works fine for what I do.

Thanks, could you expound on what type of stuff you do? This would be exactly the set up I'd have.

downsizingnow48 · Jan 27, 2019

Pretty much what you are talking about. 1/4" to 1/2" material, 8-16" cutting length at a time. Longest I have cut is about 24" in heavy expanded metal.

In several years of use of this setup, I never had the pressure drop enough to stop a cut.

I have thought about adding another tank, but the truth is I don't need it. I could actually get by with a smaller compressor, but this one was cheap at an outlet store because it had some cooling fins broke off.

MossRoad · Jan 27, 2019

When I need a little extra capacity, I TEE a portable tank into the line, like this one for $40 at Harbor Freight.

11 Gallon Portable Air Tank

yomax4 · Jan 27, 2019

Not all Plasma cutters use the same amount of CFH. Most are around 7 but there is one ( I am not advertising for it ) That uses only 2.6.. Victor / Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 42 has a technology called Vent to Shield. it only requires 2.6 CFH to cut even 1/2". the machine is 115/230 and 40 amp @ about $800. I have one in my collection of 4 plasma cutters. If you have a beat down old torch on your machine often times Victor has an adaptor to install that will take one of their torches including the Vent to Shield torch SL40. Or let me know what you have. I have boxes of crap that may have what you need. Otherwise,
A 6 hp 60 gln should get you going.

Stimw · Jan 28, 2019

You have to consider how much air you are turning over.
Compressed air has moisture in it and condenses at point of use if it is not allowed to rest/cool down.
Moisture kills consumables with plasma cutters.

pgk · Jan 31, 2019

Stimw said:
You have to consider how much air you are turning over.
Compressed air has moisture in it and condenses at point of use if it is not allowed to rest/cool down.
Moisture kills consumables with plasma cutters.

That's interesting Yomax, I wasn't aware that the cutmaster only needed 2.6cfm, I had a old Thermal Dynamics 20 amp machine years ago that would only do about .125 but man did leave a nice finish. I use a DAD500 by Devilbliss for a dryer. I used to use way back for painting cars.

yomax4 · Jan 31, 2019

pgk said:
That's interesting Yomax, I wasn't aware that the cutmaster only needed 2.6cfm, I had a old Thermal Dynamics 20 amp machine years ago that would only do about .125 but man did leave a nice finish. I use a DAD500 by Devilbliss for a dryer. I used to use way back for painting cars.

It's the SL40 torch that only needs 2.6 or something close. If you put the SL60 on it it goes back up to 7.0 or close to it. 1/2" or more you really need the high flow.

yomax4 · Jan 31, 2019

Stimw said:
You have to consider how much air you are turning over.
Compressed air has moisture in it and condenses at point of use if it is not allowed to rest/cool down.
Moisture kills consumables with plasma cutters.

True. The only consumables I've seen that are designed to take some moisture are what Thermal used with the Dragon Plus. It has the built in compressor and it will pump and spray moisture. They went with larger hafnium in the electrode and higher alloy in the electrode and tip. I think Lincoln, Hypertherm and Hobart are currently experimenting with the better consumables in their built in compressor machines.

dragoneggs · Jan 31, 2019

yomax4 said:
True. The only consumables I've seen that are designed to take some moisture are what Thermal used with the Dragon Plus. It has the built in compressor and it will pump and spray moisture. They went with larger hafnium in the electrode and higher alloy in the electrode and tip. I think Lincoln, Hypertherm and Hobart are currently experimenting with the better consumables in their built in compressor machines.

Interesting... if you have further details or links... Please post. I am a sucker for material technologies.

11B2620 · Feb 13, 2019

I bought a big one for my fab shop. Made in the USA by Polar air. Made in Ohio. GREAT product. Its pricey but I will never need a new one in my lifetime. I was told I could use this until I couldn't do the work and sell it for good money.
They even let you pick the color.....

1 HP Air Compressor, Single Phase, 12 Gallon Tank, Vertical

yomax4 · Feb 13, 2019

dragoneggs said:
Interesting... if you have further details or links... Please post. I am a sucker for material technologies.

Google Thermal Dynamics Dragon Plus. I had one or two over the years. 40A 230v. They also had one called the Dragon. 115v 20A for HVAC.

yomax4 · Feb 13, 2019

11B2620 said:
I bought a big one for my fab shop. Made in the USA by Polar air. Made in Ohio. GREAT product. Its pricey but I will never need a new one in my lifetime. I was told I could use this until I couldn't do the work and sell it for good money.
They even let you pick the color.....

1 HP Air Compressor, Single Phase, 12 Gallon Tank, Vertical

Nice. I wish I had bought something like this instead of the low buck 6hp 60gln jobs I buy that rust out in a couple years.

sea2summit · Feb 14, 2019

11B2620 said:
I bought a big one for my fab shop. Made in the USA by Polar air. Made in Ohio. GREAT product. Its pricey but I will never need a new one in my lifetime. I was told I could use this until I couldn't do the work and sell it for good money.
They even let you pick the color.....

1 HP Air Compressor, Single Phase, 12 Gallon Tank, Vertical

Marital bliss would suffer from that one

BLSXJ · Feb 14, 2019

My "need" for a plasma cutter pushed me towards installing a 60 gallon compressor.
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/388829-shop-air-compressor-set-up.html?highlight=

this spring I'll complete the set up with a fresh air intake and running the drain line out doors. In prep for a plasma and a paint spray gun, I'm installing a filter/regulator/dryer on one of my pipe drops.

I believe my compressor is overkill for a 1 person shop, and filtering and drying the air to the plasma cutter will result in longer consumable life.

fried1765 · Feb 14, 2019

BLSXJ said:
My "need" for a plasma cutter pushed me towards installing a 60 gallon compressor.
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/388829-shop-air-compressor-set-up.html?highlight=

this spring I'll complete the set up with a fresh air intake and running the drain line out doors. In prep for a plasma and a paint spray gun, I'm installing a filter/regulator/dryer on one of my pipe drops.

I believe my compressor is overkill for a 1 person shop, and filtering and drying the air to the plasma cutter will result in longer consumable life.

My Quincy 5HP two stage is overkill also, but I love it.
My Quincy exceeds the Polar specs., and unlike the Polar, the Quincy model that I have has pressure lube, rather than the Polar splash lube system.
I bought My Quincy new, many years ago, but I note the current price is $2900 + tax.

newbury · Feb 14, 2019

Well OP I don't read any $$ specs from you other than the IR at $590.
Have you looked at the HF 29 gal. 2 HP 150 PSI Cast Iron Vertical Air Compressor? $330 w/ coupon from hfqpdb. Not IR quality, but also not IR price.
Get two of them for $660 and you should be able to get plenty of air.