Plasma cutter air requisits

[Dodge]

I am getting ready to buy a plasma cutter. I've never owned one myself but used one at work for years and took air supply requirements for granted. Now that I am going to have to be aware of it I realize I may need to get a bigger compressor. You guys and/ or gals that have a plasma machine; How big is you compressor??
The plasma machine I am looking at requires 270 scfh ;4.5 cfm @ 60 psi. I saw a compressor at HF that claims a rate of 6.0 scfm @ 40 psi - 4.2 scfm @ 115 psi. By doing the math, this seems to cover the range but it only has an 8 gallon tank. Do I need a bigger tank? Whats the difference between cfm and scfm? Same thing??
Pre-thanks for your input

[RBrown]

Befor i got my plasma cutter i got my compresor first i got a delta from sams club 80 gal 2 stage. it was the bigest at the best price when i got it. you will be better off with a bigger tank and 2 stage that way when the air preshur drops it kicks on and fills back up without you having to stop and wate on it. if you can afford it i would actualy recomend an ingersoll but i have no complants with my delta. also get a air cleaner water seperator not an inline oiler you want as clean of air going through your plasma cutter as possible.

[plain ol Bill]

My compressor is putting out 17 CFM @ 90 PSI so I have not run into any air problems. Unless you know for a fact that your air is DRY - DRY - DRY put a coalescing (toilet paper type) filter in line just before you enter the plasma. It will be money well spent as a tiny (itty bitty little thing) water droplet will ruin consumables in a hurry.
I have an Esab 550I and love it!

[Chris Pook]

X10 on the airdryer. Wet air will make your life miserable and go through lots of tips.

[Dodge]

Let me rephrase the question. What would be the smallest compressor I could get away with? Would a smaller one, say a 30 gallon tank, just limit the cutting time or would it limit the cutting capacity etc??

[JWBIRONWORKS]

Dodge,
I have a Hypertherm 380 and I run a 5hp compressor with a 27 Gal tank. As long as I am not running anything else in the shop I have no problems. However if I have a small leak of any kind I will have to wait for it to catch up. It's pretty safe to say it is maxed out. One of these days I'll get a bigger compressor but I get by with this one for now.
Being a Jarhead you should be used to getting by on the minimum.LOL

Take heed to the filters and dryers, they will save you alot of headaches.

JWB

[Dodge]

JWB, LOL! My cover has been compromised. Improvise, adapt, and overcome!! Yup, Fully aware of moisture and dirt problems and am planning accordingly. Thanks

[Glenn]

Check on the duty cycle of the air compressor you look at purchasing. You can always use more air for other things.

[Ten Hammers]

Scott, will see if this posts. I have a 16 cfm single stage ( 60 gallon). Local farm store it was about $ 500- 8-9 years ago. Keeps up ok for me but sometimes you have to be patient with die grinder. Of course this won't do tractor tires very fast but that wasn't the question. I can shop locally for a price if you wish. Even with gas prices it ain't THAT far and we can compare. Good luck. BTW we can always use some more ships company crew for security ( )..... ALSO, I'd beware of marketing techniques of compressor mfgrs. What I do know is that when a pump is rated at 22 cfm @ 150 psi it means just that. On a 2 stage pump this will suit most die gringer etc needs + plasma and whatever else my shop might need plus. When a mfgr claims that their compressor is rated at 12 cfm at 90 psi and 24 cfm at 45 psi it is my humble opinion that this is a marketing ploy to confuse people into thinking they can have a big cfm rig, just use lower pressure. Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong. I really don't know the difference between Cubic feet ( per ) minute and ( unknown "S ") cfm. sorry.

[Ellen]

Definition SCFM -- The term SCFM stands for Standard Cubic Feet Per Minute, referenced to a pre-specified pressure, temperature, and relative humidity. In most cases, SCFM is referenced to 14.7 PSIA, 68°F, and 0% relative humidity. By specifying these parameters, the mass flow of compressed air and gas systems is clearly defined.