plasma cutter explained maybe

[JWBIRONWORKS]

T-Gold,
Thanks for the input. I am going to pick it up this afternoon. I looked around on the net last night and read some more and the price is good. Since it's local I got to try it first, plus these guys have never steered me wrong yet.

JWB

[Ten Hammers]

I have a Hypertherm 350. Bought it new 9 years ago. OUTSTANDING tool. I cut mostly 14-16 ga sheet for production work. I DO also use the torch for building tooling and virtually any other need in the shop. I have gouged welds with it. I have cut a go-zillion miles of steel with it. 5 pack of consumables is about $40.- ( both electrode and cup for this price). I replaced the torch/gun about 2 months ago. This was due to hanging the torch on the edge of cut sheet while changing places with the pattern to cut the next piece. $ 230.- or so for the new parts. I must stress again how much steel this plasma has cut. When time to update I will buy a 600 or mebbe a 1000 but for now, I'm happy. As Junior stated, you need a good source of CLEAN DRY AIR.

Ten

[T-Gold]

Oh, I forgot to mention -- because of how plasma cuts, you can sever twice the thickness it's rated to if you can get to the opposite side of the piece. This is a LOT harder with OA than it is with plasma, though OA also cuts thicker stock (crank that oxy!). I have cut 1" with our shop cutter, which is rated to sever 1/2". (Couldn't find any torch tips bigger than 00. Oxy cranking only goes so far.)

[JWBIRONWORKS]

I picked it up monday afternoon. Used it to cut out 8 sets of rose petals and 2 tulips. It's alot quicker and cleaner than a torch. I think it'll save alot of time on cleanup too. I'm still working on the settings, It'll cut alot faster than I can stay on my lines. Still have a small amount of dross on the edges. I think thats just a matter of settings an operator error. :lol:
Thanks for all the info. I think between gas cylinder prices and less clean up time it will pay for it's self pretty quick.

JWB