plasma cutter air feed & filtration Qs

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Just bought a Miller 675 Spectrum Plasma cutter for my son. What should I regulate air pressure at, 60PSI? ALSO, what kind/how do I filter the moisture out of the air?Where do I install moisture filter on the compressor: before the air line when it first comes out of compressor, or at the inlet to the plasma cutter? I'm thinking it would probably be a good idea to just remove air moisture for ALL my air for tools.... if that's possible.  thanks
Reply:Hey canuckle,First, did you buy new or used? If new, there is an operating manual that will list the appropriate pressures for usage. Most generally fall in the 65-90psi range & your owners' manual will indicate proper amperage & pressure per thickness of cut. As far as filters, there are a myriad of types that are used. My compressor & plasma unit have (2) of the HF large filters that work well. Here's a link for the filter & pics of it on the p.cutter.Dennyhttp://www.harborfreight.com/industr...nit-98904.html Attached ImagesComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:thanks Denny. it's a used unit, but I see on Miller's site that I can download a manual. ALSO... where do you install that filter, right at the tank, or at the plasma cutter?I see they had an $8 in line filter aswell, but no regulator. I have a regulator already. But for $30 vs. $8...maybe i shouldn't pucker and be such a cheapazz??
Reply:BTW denny, love that sig. I live by the honor part. Unfortunately, i've been guilty of letting some of those bullets out of the muzzle when i should have shut up!!
Reply:Hey canuckle,I have one of the HF filters on the compressor outlet & the other one on the p/cutter. There are (2) that work quite well for me. Yes, you can easily download the manual from Miller's site.DennyComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:You might check out ebay.  I found a great deal on a parker filter/regulator on there.  Retail price was over $100 each, I bought 5 on ebay for $40 brand new.There is no failure...only feedback
Reply:For plasma pressure settings....refer to the owners manual....the particualr plasma you have will likely have a different pressure setting as compared to others.To minimize moisture in the air:1. Before anything else, either develop a procedure for draining your compressor tank daily, even better....install an automatic drain. Harbor freight has one for less than $20 that works great, I have been using it for years.2. If you are on a serious budget...look at the MotorGuard units.....but not the small inline ones. The inline units will work for a short period of time, but will quickly saturate and plug. Use the larger Motorguard with the replaceable element....and change the element periodically. There also are many choices of air filtration and drying for automotive paint spray applications....these types of filters and moisture separators are sized correctly for plasma as well.3. The best....watch craigslist for a refrigerated air dryer. New, Harbor Freight has one that reportedly works very well for $400. I found a used Ingersol Rand for $75 on Craigslist...it is the size of a small dorm refrigerator, has an auto drain...and has been working perfectly in my home shop.There also are dessicant cannisters. These work well removing moisture but require maintenance....either baking the dessicant in an overn to dry it or replacing the dessicant periodically.Personaly I like the auto drain on my compressor and the refrigerated dryer....no maintenance, no filters or dessicant to change, and no manual draining of the compressor.Jim Colt   Hypertherm Originally Posted by canuckleheadJust bought a Miller 675 Spectrum Plasma cutter for my son. What should I regulate air pressure at, 60PSI? ALSO, what kind/how do I filter the moisture out of the air?Where do I install moisture filter on the compressor: before the air line when it first comes out of compressor, or at the inlet to the plasma cutter? I'm thinking it would probably be a good idea to just remove air moisture for ALL my air for tools.... if that's possible.  thanks
Reply:With ANY TOOL THAT CONSUMES AIR, you want the filtration as close to the air inlet of the tool as practically feasible, always, no exceptions.Having said that, it's not always practical, but in the case of a plasma, it is.  Install the filter as close to the air inlet as possible and still allow removal of the filter element.It's nice to have a mainline filter/dryer, I do, a refrigerated dryer adjacent to the compressor and a particle/aersol filter as well, but you will get line condensation no matter what, as well as particles of the interior of the air pipe (if you ran your piping in steel) so the closer to the point of use, the better.That's why, if you spray paint, they sell these neat little filter/dessicant packs than go on the inlet of a spraygun, because that's where it needs to be..... at the inlet.