Straight cuts with plasma cutter.

[dragoneggs]

Awesome. This thread will inspire those in need to make their own. Oh the beauty of it.

Exactly what I was thinking. Will probably hop on McMaster Carr soon and see if I can find the 'wheels' and maybe some kind of ring clamp. Need to study them a bit first.

 

[Oldpath05]

I dont know why more people dont make something like this for straight cuts.......... YouTube

 

[Big Barn]

About the same dollars I sold my old radial arm saw. :mur:

Be glad you did. It would take up way too much space for the amount of short straight cuts you would do with it.

Years back I considered it when Steve came up with the idea. I think both of us came to our senses. (Admittedly a rare occurrence for me).

 

[BukitCase]

Actually, I just passed on the RAS idea (while temporarily ignoring my "senses" :laughing: )

However, I currently have THREE RAS's; the original Craftsman "commercial" 12", bought new in 1972 (still functional but could use a tiny bit of TLC) the 10" I got off CL for $50 BEFORE the "semi-senses" returned, and another 12" off CL ($10, incl. 2 NEW blades - family was moving long distance) -

And no, NOT still thinking about using one for plasma; keeping the original 12", other 12" will likely be a "parts donor" to keep the original going. The 10" may end up getting turned into an over-arm router or ??? The jury's still out on THAT one

Back on track (sorta)

Buford, once you get the hang of travel speed on your new plaz you may find (as I did) that there's little worry about burning up any templates (depending on how your torch tip is shaped) - my Hypertherm torch cap tapers down from about 1" to 3/8" in diameter, then STAYS that diameter for a little over 3/16" -

That smaller straight section can ride against a 1/8" masonite pattern, and the most I've seen happen (with the cut being about 1/4" away) is a little discoloration. In fact, I made a pattern for some "stiffener" rings for the deck on my Cub ZTR (out of 3/16" plate) and cut ALL THREE rings (one for each spindle) from one pattern - still got the pattern if I ever need to do it again... Steve

 

[TMGT]

I made a circle cutting attachment about 7 years ago to cut out 16 disc to make my core aerator. Never thought of using the wheeled portion for a guide.

The circle cutter also helped make the blower housing for my leaf vac. It comes in pretty handy.

 

[dragoneggs]

I've never considered wood. I'm pretty sure it would catch fire if I tried it. My last welding project found a bunch of old towels on my cleaning cart. DOH!

Just made a couple of short straight cuts with scrap 1/2in plywood hanging around instead of using a metal straight edge. Works fine... very little 'burnage' except where the wood is in contact with the hot steel. Doesn't affect the straight edge where the nozzle is traveling against.

 

[BufordBoone]

Looking good, Dragoneggs. I plan to do a bit of experimentation later this week. For small cuts, paint stirring sticks just may be the ticket!

 

[Big Barn]

You should use a guide THIN enough so that the tip itself can slide along it and not the nozzle cap otherwise if you don’t keep the torch perpendicular your cut width will vary.

 

[dragoneggs]

Looking good, Dragoneggs. I plan to do a bit of experimentation later this week. For small cuts, paint stirring sticks just may be the ticket!

yeah normally I use a thin piece of metal as BB says but for short quick cuts that I am not too worried about straightness, a piece of wood works fine. I like the idea of paint stir sticks but use new ones...

 

[camshawn]

I have several pieces of fibreglass angle that I use for strait Edges. Helps make nice square corners. Ask your industrial electrician if they have any scrap pieces. We used it for supporting cables and mounting things that needed to be isolated from the power. Cam