Plasma Cutters anyone?

[wroughtn_harv]

Don what you will like about the Henrob is you can weld cast iron easily. They recommend using piston rings for filler rod.

I like it because you can braze without flux.

I haven't tried cutting with it. Heck, I've got three chop saws at the shop, an oxy acetylene cutting rig, two plasma torches, three sawsalls, two portabands, and that's just for cutting steel.

It works okay on aluminum. But tig works better.

 

[CSAW]

Before anyone buys a Henrob check out the regulator requirements. I believe it operates on a much lower pressure and volume than a regular torch. Not sure but I think some of the lower end regulators don't go down this far.
Could be wrong, I was one other time/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[wroughtn_harv]

You're right. They operate at four psi oxygen and acetylene. And it is set at the regulator and not at the torch.

 

[Rockyroad]

wroughtn harv-

Thanks for the tips on cutting! I printed out your comments so I can nail them up on the barn wall where they will be handy. Plan to buy a set of torches in a week or so. I will also check out the regulators for use with the Henrob (4 psi) which I will probably buy some time in the future. Picked up a new 14" chop saw last night at the local Home Depot on sale. Now I can start to cut up some scrap to practice arc welding on before I work on anything good.

 

[centex]

I was sure that the prices were there somewhere but I did not search hard enough. It is still a little pricey but cheap compared to some of the things it replaces. I may have to get one now though. I am a tool junkie and now that I have been reminded that I never got one of these I will not be able to sleep until I do. I wanted a plasma cutter too but did not work on modern cars and did not really have a use for one and that has not changed.

 

[EdKing]

This is out of my Haynes Welding Manual. The gas (compressed air) is heated to a plasma state, so it conducts electricity, the gas actually makes the cutting arc.

 

[pajoube]

Thanks Ed, doing research on this type of unit as it appears to have most of what I would need. The problem I have is I get excited about a neat unit and then someone else pops up with another option.
PJ

 

[bgott]

There is a guy on the forum over at www.industrycommunity.com that has a he11 of a good deal on a used one...$45,000 or so new, he'll let it go for $16,995!

 

[kevinro]

On the subject of Plasma cutters, I have a Spectrum Thunder, which is a Miller product. It runs on 120v/18A and has a built in air compressor. It seems to work very well up to about 3/16". In theory, it does up to 3/8", but at about 1/4", I find it to be very slow. Thats the point where I switch to a cutting torch.

It should be noted that most of the 'home' sized machines you will see are really great for doing thin materials. My Thunder does an outstanding job on thin materials that a cutting torch would make a mess of. It will also cut aluminium, stainless, brass, and copper, which a cutting torch can't handle.

The plasma cutter also gives you quite a bit more control since you are not as concerned with overheating the material. The key to the cutting torch is the heat and the speed of travel. With a plasma cutter, heat isn't as critical.

I think the bottom line is if you are planning on sheetmetal or thin plate work, a plasma cutter is a great tool. If you are thinking about > 1/4"-3/8", you either need a larger plasma cutter or a torch.

Kevin

 

[Anonymous Poster]

The name Plazma Cutter came from the narrow jet of air plazma that actually does the work.
The first generation used a hydrogen gas and another gas for the plazma beam, where the hydrogen performed about the same thermal enhancing function it does in an electric arc furnace. As time went on, manufacturers developed a superior machine that was able to use compressed air instead of purified gasses for the beam.
Trust me on this, first generation machines were a real BI%(# to operate, and costs were HIGH. The current generation of Plazma is a walk in the park, sort of like comparing a square wave TIG to a 30 year old TIG.