Mobile Plasma cutting

[hudr]

Ok, I have Lincoln Ranger 10000. I am about to pull the trigger on a Hypertherm600 plasma cutter. I plan to use it in conjunction w/ the welder on several "on-site" jobs (i.e.:building fence corners way back in the boonies). I notice in the specs it seems to require 6cfm@72psi (if I am reading this correctly). This model does not have an internal compressor. So, I will need to add a rack for a compressor on my 5x8 trailer that is now dedicated to all things "smithy". Anybody else doing something like this already? Any suggestions on a compressor? Looks like I am going to spend another $200-$300 for a compressor to mount on the trailer.

 

[Highbeam]

I don't know if it counts but I once ran the smallish hypertherm plasma cutter and the 5 HP shop air compressor at the same time from my coleman 5500 watt generator. All of this was setting in the back of my pickup running at the same time. It worked, the problem is that the plasma drippings and big sparks kept starting fires on the ground so I had to stop early.

 

[hudr]

I am pretty sure I have enough electricity to run everything. What I am concerned w/ is how critical is the air pressure/flow rating? Best case scenario: I find the compressor that will give the recommended rating, then go to the next size up.

 

[Highbeam]

The air compressor will become a valuable part of the smithy trailer so I wouldn't worry too much about the meager air needs of the plasma cutter but be more concerned with having enough air for doing things like running air tools and seating tire beads at the remote sites. I would find a compressor that fills the 5 foot width for sure and make it a third part of a threesome.

 

[tlbuser]

You could also just use an inert gas (argon, nitrogen, etc) or air bottles (SCBA type work great) on the trailer rather than buying a compresor. Just a thought.

 

[gsganzer]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( You could also just use an inert gas (argon, nitrogen, etc) or air bottles (SCBA type work great) on the trailer rather than buying a compresor. Just a thought. )</font>

Inert gas won't work for the plasma cutter. You'd have to use compressed air.

I think I'd get one of those wheelbarrow style compressors. The kind with the two horizontal tanks. They seem to be what most folks mount on maintenance trucks. Definitely something big enough to run a paint sprayer and/or pneumatic nailers.

 

[bigtater]

I have a hypertherm 600. You can use dry nitrogen. If the pressure drops below it's rated input the cutter will shut down until the pressure comes back up. I'm using a a craftman 2hp compressor and it is right at the bottom of what I would want no problems so far but i've not used it for any long cuts yet.

 

[gsganzer]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( You can use dry nitrogen. )</font>

I thought they needed the oxygen in the compressed air for the cut?? I guess my wifes right, I don't know everything. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Highbeam]

The oxy-acetylene uses oxygen to combust the steel. Maybe the plasma cutter uses a different process.

 

[hudr]

Found out my answer. I don't think the plasma would be the best choice for what I plan to do immediately with the "smithy" trailer. What I gather from the guys around here is that plasma works best in a "controlled" environment. Don't know how it would fair bouncing around in the pasture going from corner to corner and brace to brace. Also, seems the consumables can catch up pretty quickly cost wise. So for now I have bought a new torch kit to replace the bomb I was using before.
But we will see where we end up w/ the smithy trailer. Hmmmm...need to find me a vise....
Thanks, guys.

 

[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