output control setting on plasma cutter?

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Well I went to a farm show a short while back and the wife said she wanted to look at the plasma cutters at the Miller booth so we wandered over their way. Well she started talking to the guys at the booth and they had a 375 set up to try out. She gave it a try and liked it and before I knew it she had the guy putting a sold tag on it. She was doing all the talking and I wasn't really paying attention too well so I never really thought about asking questions on how to set it up. Does anyone bother to adjust the output amperage or do they just set it to max?I have read and re-read the owners manual and can find nothing that tells me where or what to set the amperage at. The gage adjusts from 16 to 27 amps. Where I set the gage seems to make no difference in the way it cuts. I assumed that there would be a chart that related metal thickness to amperage but there is no chart in the manual. So, what do the rest of you guys with plasma cutters do with changing settings ?
Reply:Don't use plasma much, but when used, tend to go for the lowest setting that will make a clean cut with speed of the stroke."after a long day of doing nothing...its gooood to kick back" Pumbaa
Reply:bitternut,I have your 375's brother, Hypertherm Powermax 380. Just went through the manual. Didn't find a chart but did find the same statement Planet X made. I usually turn it down for thin stuff. Also I had thought with mine you were supposed to have tip right on metal being cut. That's what I ususlly do. I noted the manual says optimum cut use 1/16" standoff. See my other recent post on roller stand off. What is the OD of your torch where the roller stand off attaches? Mine in about 1.005".Dave"Some days you're the dog, some days you're the fire hydrant"
Reply:Dave......Yeah I checked my torch and it is the same diameter ( 1.005" ). The tip is .315" in diameter. I think the machines are identical except for paint scheme. My torch is an ICE 27C torch. I stopped at my local supplier yesterday and ordered the standoff roller guide ( part # 194 883 ). I think he said it was about $15 to $20. I am positive the same one will fit yours also. As for the standoff tip, I tried to buy one of those also but they don't make one for the ICE-27C torch. In fact he called Miller directly while I was standing there and they told him there was no part that would adapt our torch for a standoff tip. The guy told him what you got is what you get.She got the cutter as a show special. Came with the circle-cutting guide, running gear cart with cord wrap, cover and a whole fist full of multi packs of electrodes and tips. I just added the Motor Guard filter. I am in the process of building a drier/filter out of 2" pipe like Franz suggested. Should have that done today in fact. I wasn't expecting to be coming home from the show with a plasma cutter so I hadn't done my homework on what to buy. I learned a long time ago not to look a gift horse in the mouth so when she said, " what do you think, should I buy it"  you know what I said.As for setting the amperage the cutting chart shows material thickness on the x+ axis and cut speed on the Y+ axis. They recommend you cut below the graph line but there is no mention anywhere of what the amp setting is. I assume it is at max amperage of 27. Where the hell is Rock when you need him?
Reply:bitternut,Thanks for the info. Good luck getting yours all plumbed and set up. I'm still thinking about making the roller stand off."Some days you're the dog, some days you're the fire hydrant"
Reply:I bit the bullet! & spent the time. See link.http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/...&threadid=6139"Some days you're the dog, some days you're the fire hydrant"
Reply:Hey, nice job Dave. Mine is ordered but it has not come in yet. If I was still working I probably would have built my own like you did. Guess I should have brought a couple of the machines home with me when I retired. Oh well, guess now I will have to be on the look out for a small lathe and maybe a bridgeport. Nice to have your own right at home huh.
Reply:I have a Miller Spectrum 300 which was made before the 375. I also just turn it down to where it still cuts good at the speed I go. If it's too low you have to go too slow. On mine the top setting is 25.Welder- Miller Thunderbolt AC 225-DC 150 Plasma cutter, Miller Spectrum 300O/P torch- Victor 100
Reply:the heck with lathes and mills and roller standoffs... where do you find a wife that buys her own plasma machine ???you done died and gone to heaven man !!!john :-)
Reply:Originally posted by jniolon the heck with lathes and mills and roller standoffs... where do you find a wife that buys her own plasma machine ???you done died and gone to heaven man !!!john :-)
Reply:Originally posted by jniolon the heck with lathes and mills and roller standoffs... where do you find a wife that buys her own plasma machine ???
Reply:Dittos......
Reply:Hmm, I guess it didn't phase me.  My wife bought most of our machines.... I just told her which ones to get.Now's she's considering upgrading to the Spectrum 2050 and wants to learn TIG.