Question about Plasma cutter

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This might be a stupid question but I did a search and didn't find anyone else had asked it.Can a Plasma cutter can be run off a CO2 cylinder instead of compressed air?  I don't have an air compressor right now and I know from experience that anything short of an enormous belt run unit is rediculously loud.  Those are even loud just not so high pitched.I have limited space since I am working out of a 1 car garage that is shared with all of my 3 year old's outside toys and my wife's outdoor decorations.  If I do buy a compressor I would be limited to a very small one "pancake".Since I will be getting a CO2 cylinder for my MIG I might get a bigger one if I could run a Plasma cutter off it at a later date "when I could afford one"Thanks,MikeComputer nerd with a background in woodworkingMy Site  No Metal working stuff there yet.
Reply:You can use several different gases instead of just compressed air. CO2 used only in combination in dual gas torches. So not really an option for you. Bottle of compressed air might be a solution for you.  I've seen oxygen used in small plasma cutters, makes for a great cut on some metals. Heres a great site to check it out. http://www.praxair.com/praxair.nsf/AllContent/641292709A218CFC85256E7C006B9A69/$File/P-8236.pdf
Reply:Look at compressed air or nitrogen in cylinders, just like welding gasses.
Reply:Use ONLY air or Nitrogen for plasma gas. Incorrect plasma gas can cause damage to torch and power source damage.John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:So what is the average CFM for a plasma running at 75 psi ?? Seems like that would be the first unknown to be worked out, then chosing a combination of usable gas and delivery system.
Reply:My Miller 625 uses 6 scfm. Most of the manufacturers list that specification. Is that what you're asking?John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:Originally Posted by MicroZoneMy Miller 625 uses 6 scfm. Most of the manufacturers list that specification. Is that what you're asking?
Reply:Not sure, aren't the Nitrogen bottles around 1,500 or 2,000 psi? With the correct restrictor, I think they would last a little while?John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:You might find that the amount of water vapor due to the higher compressions will tend to eat your tips.  For about $70 you can get a decent air compressor that will work for many cutters.  Add a $7 disposable dessicant filter and you're up and running.ThermalArc 185MillerMatic 180 w/ AutosetVictor Cutskill Oxy/AcetyleneThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38and spite!
Reply:Originally Posted by SandyYeh.  I've got the 625 too, never looked at the cfm. No real need to and didn't want to have to go allllll the way out to the shop.  So it would take a significant tank to provide any substantial cutting time then. Good for portable maybe but not cost effective for a fixed location and any amount of cutting.
Reply:Thanks everyone for the info.I have a friend that has a 4500psi compressed air tank that I might see how much it would cost to buy and refill.  Otherwise I will have to add a compressor to my wish-list...MikeComputer nerd with a background in woodworkingMy Site  No Metal working stuff there yet.
Reply:In the long run you would be better off getting a compressor, I run a small comp I bought from kragen for my 850 hypertherm and it works great.
Reply:From what little experience I have on using a plasma cutter on bottle gases, I think you would be allot farther ahead to purchase a compressor with at least the maximum CFM rating of your plasma cutter. It can get expensive trying to get away with bottle gases and you need to be able to compress the gas to a liquid stat in order to get any amount of cutting done per bottle. I know what you mean about oil less compressors being loud but for the cost they work very well and can provide air with less contaminates compared to oil compressors.Miller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.
Reply:I have a Miller Spectrum 375. While I don't know what the cfm is, I DO know that my compressor runs pretty frequently when using it.  I highly doubt a pancake compressor could keep up...if you use it signifigantly.  If I were limited to a pancake, I would check into running an inline air pig to boost the volume.
Reply:I have been running my Plasma cutter off a 3 gallon compressor, it works pretty good, the pump runs often tho. But i am only doing light work with it.jamlit "Quality work Isn't Expensive, It Priceless" Isn't that what they put on the Snap-On print outs?-Clarke 130EN-Miller MaxStar 150STL-Miller Elite 29' Roadster
Reply:I ran my Miller Spectrum 375 from my DeWalt/Emglo 2 HP, 4-gal, 100% duty compressor for a couple years in my truck.  The compressor stayed on the entire time the arc did, but it did not fall behind and worked fine.