Mobile Plasma cutting

[srs]

If you use a compressor for air don't you also have to use some type of filter to 'clean' the air? I heard that you can't or shouldn't use air directly from the compressor as it contains moisture. Makes sense to me. Anybody??? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[hudr]

Yes, you have to have clean, dry air (~$100 filter/dryer) or you will destroy tips. Hypertherm also recommends nitrogen. It is the flow rates I was concerned about. By the time I get a compressor big enough, I am making the setup too complex. W/ a plasma cutter, I have to have a generator big enough to run the cutter AND the compressor. And my Lincoln only has one 240 plug. W/ a torch, no juice required.

 

[AlanB]

It is commonly done with a bottle of compressed gas. Even many shops use compressed gas tanks to power their larger Plasma's.

As to sticking too a torch instead of a plasma,,,,, Go run a plasma a couple of times and there will not be any doubt in your mind how nice it is.

To the people that say consumables will eat you up in $.... I would bet they were using plasma's 10 to 15 years ago and the consumables prices were higher and not as good as currently available. The newer machines and torch designs are great.

A buddy of mine welds for Lincoln Electric and can be reached at cmwmerlin AT hotmail.com His name is Bobby Fields and he owns Competition Machine and Welding which is a mobile outfit doing trackside welding and repair. He would be happy to speak with you about these questions and has a bunch of years of experience to back him up.

Good luck. If you talk to Bobby, tell him he needs to have a "pull Off" between his welder and Dick's..... Both their engine driven welders are self driving.

 

[Highbeam]

"As to sticking too a torch instead of a plasma,,,,, Go run a plasma a couple of times and there will not be any doubt in your mind how nice it is.

To the people that say consumables will eat you up in $.... I would bet they were using plasma's 10 to 15 years ago and the consumables prices were higher and not as good as currently available. The newer machines and torch designs are great."

I just recently picked up my oxy/acetylene setup. It was pretty cheap compared to a plasma cutter and allows me to heat and bend things as well as cut without electricity. Gas is expensive and I found out real quickly that cutting uses quite a bit of gas. I need to be able to bend stuff so I got gas. Supposedly you can weld with one too.

I have used a plasma cutter and really liked cutting with it, the consumables were not expensive and lasted a good long time. We were not overly careful about air quality either.

Enjoy your torch, just don't start anything on fire. It took a good bit of effort to eliminate the leaks on my new lincoln torch set. Good thing the acetylene is so stinky.

 

[tlbuser]

Hence the second option of using cylinders of "air". We got some "scott packs" when the local fire dept. was upgrading equipment and use them as portable air sources. Added adapters to be able to refill from the shop compressor. They last a heckuva lot longer than most other portable tanks plus they're fiberglass wound so they're lighter too.

The main reason for using nitrogen is that the moisture content is removed. Plasma and moisture don't work well together. Argon or CO2 is useable also but argon is (locally anyways) more expensive but sometimes "you gotta do what you gotta do." Most of the time, argon is handy because that's also used as shielding gas for the MIG.

 

[slowzuki]

Nitrogen makes a smaller bevel on the plasma cut too. I've got a Hypertherm 600 as well and torches. Each have there place. Hacking rusty old junk apart is hard on the pc but fine with the torch. Making nice clean cuts and intricate shapes is much easier on the pc.

Ken

 

[GabeTX]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I just recently picked up my oxy/acetylene setup. It was pretty cheap compared to a plasma cutter and allows me to heat and bend things as well as cut without electricity. Gas is expensive and I found out real quickly that cutting uses quite a bit of gas.)</font>

If you're only use the oxy-acetylene setup for cutting and heating (not welding), you don't need to use acetylene--you can use propane instead. Cheaper and the tanks last a lot longer; although you may need a different tip for the cutting torch. I know Victor and Smith both make propane cutting tips.

Disclaimer: I've never actually done it, but I've been researching oxy-fuel setups quite a bit as I plan on buying one for a couple upcoming projects....

 

[slowzuki]

My cutting torch is oxy-propane, works well, slower preheat than acetylene though.

 

[texredneck]

The propane does do a good job. You will need a propane specific tip. You could also run with natty gas, mapp, and theres another but I dont remember, not common. Propane very common. You will need I believe its a t grade hose, but this is common on victor torches. Need to verify the reg for fuel gas is for all fuel gas types. Propane isnt as calm as acetylene but does get the job done. Not nearly as nice of a cut, but many folks wouldnt really notice a lot of differnce, and I can make pretty nice cuts with propane.
I do beleive welding is alright with propane, but acetylene is prefered. The foul odor you smell with acetylene, its not acetylene, its acetone. The bottle is filled with a mixture of acetone and acetylene. Acetyelene is very explosive, so the acetone stabilizes it. The acetone is the reason you cant leave bottle on its side, acetone will get up into the valve and regs and cause big trouble. 45° - 90° only for acetylene bottles. If you do lay them down, need min of 15 mins before using bottle. Propane is pretty safe. If you think BBQ on gas grill is safe, you will find cutting with it safe. Again, always carry fire extinguiser and best to have a cell phone and a fire watch..could be daughter or son, just as long as they keep an eye out fo ryou
Ive used my dog before...she was scaried of fire. She start to barkin I knew it was time to look
Good luck