Are Plasma Cutters "Finicky"?

Runner · Jan 10, 2011

Hi all.

I have a question for those of you who have plasma cutters. I am thinking of buying a Hypertherm Powermax 45, but have never used a plasma before.

I'd like to use it for cutting up scrap metal, cutting previously welded joints, rusty, painted metal, and such. However, from what I've seen, they seem to be kind of finicky to use, i.e., everything has to be clean and just right for them to work properly.

I guess my question is, can you use a plasma to cut up scrap metal as well as clean new steel, or would a torch setup be better?

I don't want to waste money on something that won't work for me.

I appreciate any input from the group.

6sunset6 · Jan 10, 2011

I was thinking of doing the same thing and spoke to a friend who has a big one. He said the consumables are expensive, something about nozzle, and it worked better on thin material than thick. He indicated a gas torch was better for heavy junk. So I never got one. I think they need really dry air also.
Lets see what everyone else says.

davygp38 · Jan 10, 2011

I have an Everlast power arc 50. I use it for cutting up some scrap. I am not crawling around under a semi trailer cutting cross members, but I get old bicycles, and work out machines from time to time that I use in projects. As far as a plasma having to be kept clean, I think as long as you have dry air, your OK. Yes the ceramic cups on the torch are consumable, but so what save a beat up one for the scrap work, and keep a new one for precise cutting. I'll tell you this much, once you try a plasma, you will wonder why you didn't get one sooner.:thumbsup: as far as cutting through rust, just make shure you have the power arc feature. My everlast can cut through a 1/2 inch rusty tie plate no problem.

framer · Jan 10, 2011

As mentioned is expensive to operating .I use my hypertherm when i would like
less extortion in the metal won't get nearly as hot. Not as portable.It will go
threw some tips if you use the stand off will get some blow back if everything
is not set correctly and speed is important. So i would say yes on finicky.
If had to choose one only it would be the gas torch.

hilld · Jan 10, 2011

Let me chime in, I recently picked up a HT 45 a couple of months ago. I have cut up all sorts of stuff, including rusty and painted materials and the HT has cut through them like butter, assuming you have the amps and air pressure in the correct settings. My air is dry so I don't know what happens when if there is moisture, but since I knew that going into it, I made sure the air was dry.

As far as the cost of consumables, not cheap, but not expensive either. I know that Jim Colt from HT has done comparison (I have read them somewhere) and the cost to operate a HT45 is lower than using a torch if you consider the cost of the Oxy and Acetylene that you have to use. Of course, a new person can probably use more consumables than somebody experienced, but this has been my experience.

Derek

Shield Arc · Jan 10, 2011

Personally I don't think they're finicky at all. I have a Hypertherm 1250, I have cut up to 1-inch plate with it. Far as speed it is nip and tuck with oxygen acetylene. Problem with a plasma with thick material is the bevel cut, you have to throw a little angle on the torch to get a 90-degree cut on the plate you want. If the material will conduct electricity so you can get an arc started you're off and running, sometimes you have to go back and forth to burn paint, rust, crap off in front of your cut, but it is amazing what junk they will cut. The scarfing option on my plasma is amazing too, I'd rather use it than an air carbon arc torch. Only advantage an air carbon arc torch has over plasma is sometimes you can't get the plasma torch into certain spots, where with a carbon arc rod, if you have the amps, and air pressure you can use a long stick out to reach into tight spots.

I do believe you have to do a lot of cutting to justify the upfront cost of a plasma tho!

tglass · Jan 10, 2011

a new person can probably use more consumables than somebody experienced as with an oxy. torch. serveral tips and burnbacks back to the torch can be costly. both have a place. I'm sure I will use the plasma more than the torch, but at times one can not do the job the other can with such ease. consumables are a needed on either one. something you have to accept like the always rising of fuel.

jdonovan · Jan 10, 2011

Runner said:
I guess my question is, can you use a plasma to cut up scrap metal as well as clean new steel, or would a torch setup be better?

I don't want to waste money on something that won't work for me.

I saved more in fuel gas/oxy the first year I had my plasma vs the old torch setup.

Tips/electrodes last a good time for me and my uses, and I've never run across ANY metal that gave me a problem as long as it was conductive.

It takes a bit of time to get a nice fine cut such that its immediately ready to weld w/o much dressing, but that comes with practice.

RPW · Jan 10, 2011

Finicky, no, as long as your air supply is dry,dry,dry. My consumables are not really expensive and I've used mine to cut a wide variety of metal. As stated I wouldn't be trying to cut old automobile frames but I have cut weld joints etc.

Good luck.