Plasma Air/Nitrogen Powermax 45

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About 4 years ago after moving into my current house I was dragging my feet getting my big compressor wired up.  In the interim I started using my 20lb CO2 tank to run my air tools.  I realized after a while that I typically only use my impact gun and when using a high quality gun such as my Ingersoll Rand it uses very little air.  To make a long story short, I sold my big compressor and have been using CO2 in the garage every since.Now fast forward a bit.  I've been looking at plasmas for awhile and finally decided on the Powermax 45.  I'm going to head up to the LWS tomorrow and pick one up if they have them in stock, or order one.  I think you know where my question is now going.  I noticed in the literature online that Nitrogen is a suitable alternative to shop air.  I have a pretty inexpensive hook up for Nitrogen tanks from my neighbor.  My first question is does anyone here use nitrogen with their cutter?  I know nitrogen is stored as a gas (as opposed to liquid like co2) so I assume one tank doesn't go very far for cutting?  Any ballparks as to what I may expect out of a tank?  I'll typically be cutting 3/16" and 1/4" most of the time.  Is additional filtering required with nitrogen?  I know nothing about nitrogen but I'd imagine it's very dry and since it's not stored as a liquid I'd imagine it's more or less room temperature when released? The second part of my question is co2.  Is it highly recommended NOT attempting to run co2 through the cutter?  I know co2 is much colder and assumed this could wreak havoc on the cutter, not to mention affect the cutting process.  With my IR impact they're pretty much bullet proof so I don't think twice about running co2 through them... don't know how a plasma cutter would react.I'm sure the ultimate recommendation in this thread is going to step up and buy a big shop compressor again.  To think it's been so quiet the last few years without hearing a compressor chugging away in the corner.
Reply:Nitrogen will work fine with the Powermax45.....and will cut well on stainless and on aluminum. Expect poorer results (as compared to using compressed air) on steel. Compressed air has a roughly 20% oxygen and 80% nitrogen content....the oxygen provides an exothermic reaction on steel...as steel is easily oxidized. The cuts on steel will be slower and drossier with N2.... No filtering is required for nitrogen use.....and since the Powermax 45 flows 6 cubic feet per minute......you can gauge your usage from that depending on the cylinder size. Co2 will not hurt the Powermax45....however it also will not fire an arc......it has different ionizayion characteristics and does not make a good plasma forming gas. Some plasma systems (early technology from the 1960's and 1970's) used C02 as a shield gas with N2 as the plasma gas (for the cooling effects).....however it is rarely used today.Borrow a compressor and try the Powermax 45 on compressed air....then try it on nitrogen. Let that help you make your decision! My money is on the air.I used to bring nitrogen to the pits to run air tools in my stock car racing days (two track champinships and many wins on short asphalt tracks)......it never worked very well for plasma.......and be careful with air tools.....make sure you lubricate them when using N2......as it will dry them out quickly!Jim Colt
Reply:I probably should have mentioned....since the subject is in regards to gas experimentation with plasma.....do not use pure oxygen with the Powermax45, or any plasma that is not designed for use with 02. It is dangerous, and eventually you will have a major oxygen supported fire within the torch, leads, and possibly the power supply.Jim
Reply:Appreciate the detailed response Jim.  I can't even ask anything else as you've covered everything.    Anyway, I'll add a new compressor to my list of purchases within the next few week.    Thanks again.Mike