New Plasma Cutter need help

admin

After talking to my friend one day about wanting a plasm cutter he told me he had one that he bought about a year ago and still in the box. He told me just to take if I would make a cart and get the air drier and regulators and get every thing set up. He told me if he needs it he will just come get it or use it at my shop. So any way I have searched on hear for what I need to get every thing going but just can't find it. I remember seeing it on a thread that someone used a harbor freight cart for there plasma cutter and it showed how everything else was set up but not having any luck finding it. All help is appreciated.Its a thermal dynamics cut master 39Thanks JamesLast edited by JDT4430; 02-01-2013 at 05:18 PM.JamesMillermatic 252 in the shopMiller Bobcat on a trailer for the feild repairs around the ranch.Mostly weld on equipment or pens around the ranch.
Reply:My Cutmaster 38 has a self draining coalescing filter built inside the case, and a regulator attached to the inlet, with a Thermal Dynamics supplied inline filter.  There isn't much to it.
Reply:Any cart or table will do for now.  Get the exact model number/vintage, download the appropriate operator's manual and read through it.  Then you have a point of reference for asking questions and getting meaningful answers. Attached ImagesLast edited by Oldendum; 02-01-2013 at 05:59 PM."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:I already have plans for the cart that's not what I'm asking about. I have read some if the owners manual and know about the built in filter but they recommend some other type of filtration when using commpressed air. I looked at the thermal dynamics inline filters and I am considering one of them but I also know that several guys have made their own setups using different types of driers and that's what I am asking about. I have looked at the harbor Frieght ones and not sure if I need the desiccant type filter or the standard filter or both.JamesMillermatic 252 in the shopMiller Bobcat on a trailer for the feild repairs around the ranch.Mostly weld on equipment or pens around the ranch.
Reply:I bought a MotorGuard from IOC on eBay.  They run around $85 complete with a mounting bracket.
Reply:Originally Posted by copeI bought a MotorGuard from IOC on eBay.  They run around $85 complete with a mounting bracket.
Reply:I don't know if this still true or not, but at one time, there was a Motorguard kit with a spare filter that sold for a few bucks less than the price of the same kit that had only one filter.  Shop wisely."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Thanks for all the help. Ended up going with an Campbell Hausfeld system. It has two filters and a desicant filter plus the built in filter on the plasma cutter. Should do the job as long as the disecant last a decent amount of time. If not i will go to the motor guard filter. Would have gone with the MG to begin with but i am to impatinet and wanted something i could get now. Used it today and it worked great.JamesMillermatic 252 in the shopMiller Bobcat on a trailer for the feild repairs around the ranch.Mostly weld on equipment or pens around the ranch.
Reply:What shade lens are you guys using. The suggested shade is 9-14 depending on what you are running at. I am using a 10 and can't see any thing while cutting.JamesMillermatic 252 in the shopMiller Bobcat on a trailer for the feild repairs around the ranch.Mostly weld on equipment or pens around the ranch.
Reply:Use a longer plasma arc or turn your welding hood off, or to *grind* mode.14' PowerMig 210 MP13'Burntables 5x10 CNC Table14' SAE300 HE on a 12' Ram 4500 60 CA 4x4. Custom bed/bottles/reels.87' SA250d, 78 SA200,11' Ranger 250 GXT AC/DCThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 8112' Lincoln Precision Tig 22508' LN25
Reply:For a Cutmaster 39.....which is 30 amps or less....use shade 5 or 6 welding glasses. Anything darker than that will make it difficult to see your work. The safety section of your T-D manual has a chart that shows different shade levels for different amperage when plasma cutting.I have attached the eye safety recommended shade chart out of a Hypertherm operators manual...you will see the amperage listed on the left....and use the proper rating based on the glasses, shade you have....most are ANSI rated. You will see that  shade 9 is for above 250 amps, shade 14 is generally only used above 800 amps for cutting heavy (up to 6") plate.Jim Colt   Hypertherm Originally Posted by JDT4430What shade lens are you guys using. The suggested shade is 9-14 depending on what you are running at. I am using a 10 and can't see any thing while cutting.
Reply:Ok thanks for the chart.JamesMillermatic 252 in the shopMiller Bobcat on a trailer for the feild repairs around the ranch.Mostly weld on equipment or pens around the ranch.
Reply:This is what I'm using for my first filter. That's rock dessciant in a water filter housing. It doesn't change color, so I added some color changing just to keep track of what's happening.From there I go to a Moto Guard.Nothing but dry air here.