Custom cut pieces?

Farwell · Jul 25, 2005

Frederic,
Thanks. I think that you have posted this information before but I did not connect it. Thanks a bunch for the info. I have most of what is needed except for the cutter and the motor guard filter. Trying to justify the expense in my mind.
Farwell

rtm038 · Jul 26, 2005

Thanks for the input on the plasma cutter frederic. My buddy has a fairly new one at his shop that we use from time to time. While it works well, for me, it seems to be a little tricky to use. For example, when cutting a piece of steel, say 1/4" mild sheet, it'll stop cutting in the middle of "the run". Then I have to release the button, press the button again and continue cutting. I'm not sure if it is the machine or me that is causing the problem. Before each cut, I spray the tip like the instruction manual says. The one thing I'm not clear on is how far above the piece do I hold the nozzle? Should it be just above or in direct contact with the steel while cutting? Any help would be great.

Thanks
Ryan

tlbuser · Jul 26, 2005

Or the other option, using compressed nitrogen. No driers needed. Doesn't miller have a paper filter that looks like a roll of TP to attach to their units?

MadReferee · Jul 26, 2005

( Doesn't miller have a paper filter that looks like a roll of TP to attach to their units? )

That's a Motor Guard filter.

frederic · Jul 27, 2005

Hey guys.... happy to help. A plasma cutter is a big expense, and not for everyone. For me it was time economics. Every project I embark on requires a tremendous amount of cutting of metal, so why spend 40 minutes watching a hole saw bore it's way through 3/8" steel (slowly, as not to rip the teeth off) when I can zap a circle with a plasma cutter in about 3-5 minutes?

As far as what else you need... the 375 is simple. 220V input, compressed air (through a moisture capture unit and a filter of course).

If you want a beautiful cut you can feed it argon or another noble gas if you wish, however to my brain this defeats the purpose of the plasma cutter - cutting without having to refill large tanks. Oxy/Acl cutting is just as easy, except you have to refill your tanks quite a bit.

Sorry I haven't been keeping up lately... been working on a new project:

I just started, so it doesn't look like much. Essentially it's an open-frame combination of X and Y trucks, that will eventually have my plasma cutter gun attached, and controlled by a cobbled together PC.

The software works, the homemade stepper interface works, and the X and Y trucks slide freely. What's next is to buy Nema23-sized stepper motors, slap together some cog-pulleys and belts, and build limit switches.

tlbuser · Jul 28, 2005

yep, that's the one I saw. Thanks.

tlbuser · Jul 28, 2005

you can feed it argon or another noble gas if you wish According to the book I got, nitrogen was the only choice given. What would be the difference between argon and nitrogen? defeats the purpose of the plasma cutter - cutting without having to refill large tanks. Our field service crew thinks bottled is easier than getting another compressor. I almost have to agree with them, it's my money they're spending.

frederic · Jul 28, 2005

Nitrogen and Argon work fine. As long as it's a "noble" gas as defined on the periodic table, it works.

Ambient air, and of course compressed air is mostly nitrogen, as you know ;-)

Regarding tanks versus a shop compressor... this is preference. I already have an old oversized quincy in a closet at the back of the garage, so using that is "free" in the sense I just had to purchase a couple of quick-connects for the plasma cutter, to attach an air hose too.

Since I'm a hobbiest I find dealing with the local gas suppliers to be more work than it's worth. They wouldn't fill the tanks I already owned, cert'd or not, I have to rent tanks monthly, AND drive 30 minutes each way to refill them. This is just aggrevating.

If I were a bigger shop, and the gas supplier came to me with one of their stake trucks to exchange my tanks every week or two, I wouldn't have this issue. But it typically takes me about a year to drain my oxy/acl tanks so I'm stuck in the "we really don't want your business, you evil hobbiest you" box.

Again, this is just preference. I can easily cut most anything with my oxy/acl cutting torch. Plasma cutter just plugs into a 220V outlet, and compressed air, and there is nothing to "refill".

Not trying to argue, just explaining my decision a little bit for the benefit of the group.

I just hate tanks, and the aggrevation involved in refilling them. Maybe that's specific to my locality ? ? ?