plasma cutter really?

[Stimw]

It always seems to me that those who say Plasma isn't worth the money either have never used one or never used a GOOD one. The cheap toy Plasma cutters would leave you unimpressed but if you try a real one you will be hooked.
I've used O/A torch for over 40 years, sometimes for 1-3 days at work . Now that I have a 40 amp Miller I think back to all the jobs that the Plasma could have cut the time in half.
I use a 2" X 4" for a straight edge. It holds the torch straight up and down and cuts so fast the wood dosen't even burn. I love drag cutting plate! I can get cuts that are second to sheared. Clean up is a breeze too.

 

[bobodu]

"Worth the money" has NOTHING to do with having ever used one. It has to do with the intended usage. If I built those fancy cut yard signs or a lot of dump truck bodies, I would have use for a dedicated tool for that usage. But I may be heating a bolt or cutting railroad iron on any given day. Don't get me wrong.. I have NOT used one. I would love to HAVE one. But it not worth the money to me to get one.

 

[wushaw]

bobodu, It could be me or the way you worded your response but I think you just contradicted yourself.

 

[bobodu]

Well...I understood what I wrote.
If you don't have the need for a dedicated tool,it just becomes an expensive toy.
"Worth the money" means different things to different people...firstly depending how how much money you have. The next part involves how much need you have.

I just find that a blanket statement like "It always seems to me that those who say Plasma isn't worth the money either have never used one or never used a GOOD one. " to be too broad for anyone looking for advice without knowing some of the variables.

Perhaps if I changed a word or two,I could better illustrate my point.

"It always seems to me that those who say a tanning bed isn't worth the money either have never used one or never used a GOOD one. "

Would you follow that advice and rush out to spend $4000 on a tanning bed??
If you had a million dollars and wore a lot of swimwear it would "Worth the money" to you.
If you made $15 and hour and went to the lake once a year the same may not apply.

 

[Stimw]

??????????????????

 

[wushaw]

Well...I understood what I wrote.
If you don't have the need for a dedicated tool,it just becomes an expensive toy.
"Worth the money" means different things to different people...firstly depending how how much money you have. The next part involves how much need you have.

I just find that a blanket statement like "It always seems to me that those who say Plasma isn't worth the money either have never used one or never used a GOOD one. " to be too broad for anyone looking for advice without knowing some of the variables.

Perhaps if I changed a word or two,I could better illustrate my point.

"It always seems to me that those who say a tanning bed isn't worth the money either have never used one or never used a GOOD one. "

Would you follow that advice and rush out to spend $4000 on a tanning bed??
If you had a million dollars and wore a lot of swimwear it would "Worth the money" to you.
If you made $15 and hour and went to the lake once a year the same may not apply.

I do understand, you don't want or have a need for a plasma cutter. I'm just messin with ya

 

[nunyabinis]

Don't ever use a plasma cutter or, like me, you WILL buy one.


I use mine all the time and smile widely every time. Don't know what I ever did without it.




.

 

[Scooby074]

Ive used plasmas and theyre great, dont get me wrong, but a good torch is almost as good and alot more flexable.

You can weld, braze, heat and cut with a torch. Plasma is limited to cutting. Plus O/A is alot more portable, which is important if you want to do stuff outside the shop. ( Yes i know you could rig up a generator and a source of air, but thats not too convient)

Ive worked in a couple fab shops, and at least in my experience, Oxy/acet is still king both handheld and on cutting tables. But plasma is catching on.

Plasma gives a good cut, yes, but with experience you can do some amazing work with OA. Once you get the cut speeds , gas settings and tip height down you can have nice clean cuts with minimal dross. Some guys ive worked with could freehand OA almost as good as CNC plasma.

Any plasma cost savings in gas over OA are offset by the cost of the plasma unit itself, plasma consumables and extra air filtration required.

For most people, cutting steel, OA is fine. If you got the money, plasma is great, but for alot its overkill.

 

[MikesTractor]

Dry Air.....I use a filter that holds a roll of toilet paper, I also do quality paint work
and this filter has served me well for years!
I also have a standard water trap along with air line drops that catch water.
Clean dry air is a must in my shop.
It may sound silly but the toilet paper filter really dose a very good job!
Gene

Not trying to hijack this thread, but could you post some pictures of this water trap? I have heard of using toilet paper, but I'm not sure what the whole filter system would look like.

Thanks, Mike

 

[Scooby074]

Not trying to hijack this thread, but could you post some pictures of this water trap? I have heard of using toilet paper, but I'm not sure what the whole filter system would look like.

Thanks, Mike

Motorguard M-26 "toiler paper" filter MotorGuard Plasma Cutting