Plasma water table?

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Two part question...1. Do you have a water bed plasma table?2. If yes, what level is the water at?  I have seen in a few places that bringing the water level up so it is touching the underside if the cut piece dross and fumes are greatly reduced?Me!
Reply:I know others may have their own opinions about the 2 questions you asked, but from all the ones I've seen and worked around, keeping the water level a couple of inches below the piece being cut seems to keep the smoke and fumes to a minimum. Having the water touching the material being cut seems a bit too close. As for the slag or dross, proper speed, clean conponents, a good ground and moisture free air seems to take care of that problem.Hope this helps.
Reply:I usually keep mine up between a half inch and an inch below the material.It evaporates, and splashes, and then I gotta drag out 100 feet of garden hose, so sometimes it gets low.If its right up below the material, it splashes more when the torch gets close to an edge, but I havent had any other negative effects of too much water.And I know some of the really big commercial cutters actually run them with the material being cut under water by a half inch or so- its messy, but it seems to work just fine, and keeps the smoke to almost nothing.
Reply:I saw it in a video, and the water level was even with the plate (top) .  I just never have seen it like that before.  I bet it does do a nice job for the smoke!How much of the smoke is absorbed with the water being an inch or so down?Me!
Reply:Most manufacturers recommend the water 1-2 inches below the plate. Having the water closer can increase the dross buildup due to the water cooling the molten material before it leaves the bottom side of the plate. Remember that along with reducing the smoke and possibly glare( if additives are added) the water is cooling the plate. If the water is above the bottom of the plate it requires more power to cut the same thickness plate then if the water is 1-2 inches below the plate.
Reply:when cutting thin stainless sheet i will bring it just over the top. then it keeps the warping to a very minimum. most of the time everything else is .5 to 1 below the surface. water is very nice it kills all the smoke. i run mine with the air or heat on with all the doors shut with no smell from it what so ever.bear
Reply:http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...75100750&hl=enIt works for thin aluminum too. Watch out for Hydrogen gas build up when cutting aluminum.
Reply:Regarding water level in a water table...First....ensure whether or not your plasma torch was designed for use in underwater cutting applications....as this will help to determine what level you should have your water at, second....what is your most important objective?....cutting down on fumes and smoke, or best possible cut quality?Generally....if your torch is a non high frequency start unit...and most new (within the last 5 to 7 years)  air plasma system do not use high frequency starting, rather they have moving parts in the torch body that create the short circuit spark that ionizes the air and starts the process.....then you should not use the torch submerged. Use these types of torches with the water at least at the bottom of the plate, preferably lower.With most high frequency start torches there is preflow gas that has the ability to push the water table water out of the torch...and there are no moving parts inside the torch that can be damaged by this nasty water....so you can actaully cut submerged with high frequency start plasm torches...although check with the manufacturer!Rules of thumb....1. Cutting underwater virtually eliminates all smoke. 2. Cutting underwater causes striations (roughness...or very pronounced lag lines) on the cut edge. This is partially caused by the production of hydrogen during the cut.....which combusts and then pushes the plasma arc around....and partly by the effect of the water affecting the thermal effects of the arc.3. Underwater cutting minimizes ultra violet glare...in fact there are water table dyes available that minimize the glare more effectively.4. Underwater cutting minimizes audible noise.5. By experimenting with water level....you can usually find a happy medium that minimizes striations and provides an acceptable level of fumes and smoke.Jim Colt
Reply:We keep our BURNY right up to the underside of the plate on anything 1/8" and thicker.