Cutting ar 500

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Is there any trick to cutting out shapes for rifle targets out of ar500 so the edge were you cut don't get soft?  Will a plasma be okay?Thanks
Reply:To get zero I would imagine you would have to have them water jetted
Reply:CraboWith OA it cuts like A36.The only odd thing is that it readily manetizes.I know when www.mgmtargets.com/ increased productionthey went from OA to laser.Does anyone know if this effects plasma cut quality?OpusLast edited by OPUS FERRO; 06-29-2013 at 10:31 PM.
Reply:We did a project for a sheriff's division in school a while back. We used plasma because it was the best we had (at least it was CNC plasma! lol!) We told them that it IS softer around the edges where we cut because of all the heat. They understood we had limited tools and that they just had to make sure they hit the targets closer to the center. We think that with the size of the targets that there are areas around the edges where if they hit it the bullet would go right through. The best would obviously be water-jet cutting, I think the next best would be laser. Oh and don't try to punch holes through AR500, the die might disintegrate and you won't find any of the pieces anywhere in the shop... Like ever... lol!
Reply:And as for cut quality with plasma, I think most of the material we cut was 3/8 inch and it cut OK as far as cleanliness if that's what you mean. Don't remember what amp and tip we used on the torch, though. I think it DID leave a little bit of black around the edges but it obviously came off fairly easily with a flapper disk
Reply:The plasma will soften the edge about .006" deep. Usually that amount of softening will noy have any effect on a target.Jim Colt   Hypertherm Originally Posted by CraboIs there any trick to cutting out shapes for rifle targets out of ar500 so the edge were you cut don't get soft?  Will a plasma be okay?Thanks
Reply:@ Crabo - during a quick test run for a client build, plasma cut a 3" x 6", 3/8" thick, diamond-shaped AR500 steel target with a Hypertherm PowerMax 45.  Free-hand, no guide, 40A.  Target painted, well-hammered, and concave on one-half from repeated 300/338WM hits at 300 yds.  Very minimal aft side dross.  O/A-style striations.  Note:  centerline divot the result of a redux required due to excessive torch travel speed.The PM45 treated the AR500 like A36. Attached ImagesLast edited by ManoKai; 02-10-2014 at 09:33 PM."Discovery is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought" - Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
Reply:Thanks, this is still on my list of things to do.  I actually haven't found a place to buy it, but I have a lead on an armored car builder that uses it.  I have the same plasma at school.  I have a circle cutter and will make some templates from 1/4" mdf for silhouettes.  I am going to hang them with conveyor belt.
Reply:I've been making my own targets now with both mild steel and the more expensive AR500. For the AR500, I freehand with a plasma cutter.  No problems at the range at all.   On a side note:  I think for many weekend warrior target shooters, AR500 steel is over rated and over priced.  I've made some steel targets for friends and family with 1/2" steel plate.  For a rifle, it will make a crater or hole depending on caliber.  But..... The piece continues to go GONG for hundreds and hundreds of rifle rounds.  When it's finally toast, go get another piece of steel for nickels on the dollar, compared to AR500.Last edited by SuperArc; 02-11-2014 at 02:54 AM.Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:SuperArc....where do you buy AR500 metal? Stuff is waaayyy expensive. Looking into making targets myself...thanks.
Reply:Originally Posted by ZZWELDSuperArc....where do you buy AR500 metal? Stuff is waaayyy expensive. Looking into making targets myself...thanks.
Reply:AR500 Fabricators/Shooters:  contact Jake at www.jcsteeltargets.com/.  Jake provides professional products, ethical interactions, and light-speed delivery of AR500 steel at competative prices.Last edited by ManoKai; 02-13-2014 at 05:54 AM."Discovery is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought" - Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
Reply:Just throwing in my .02 ,, I use a lot of A513 (T-1) in building blast resistant enclosures for test cells for the oilfield blow-out preventer manufacturers. I cut the said metal with torch and plasma and have never had issues with tests of hardness/strength after welding with 10118 or 8018. From what I've learned over the years it is prolonged heat and rapid cooling that will affect the properties of the metal. That is why you must never preheat the "500" class of steel before welding. I personally do not think you will lose any of the benefits/integrity of the properties if you cut it O/A/plasma/arc gouge or any other method where after said heat is applied and steel is allowed to cool normally, i.e., not force cooled. It is what the material was designed for.
Reply:I'd like to have more info or test data on how far into the plate a plasma will compromise.  I have sold several targets made of 3/8" AR 500 and besides the guys who have pounded on them with 3,000 FPS+ loads, nobody has had an issue at all but many people stray away after asking how I cut it.  Here's what 32 rounds from a .223 shooting 55 grain FMJ's @ 3,200 FPS did to my first prototype.  Range was 243 yards:
Reply:You can order the book "Plasma Arc Cutting of Bridge Steels"   Which is a study that I colaborated on back in the mid 90's with the Edison Welding Institute.                                          (link: http://books.google.com/books/about/...d=OEiprKuJv1IC ) that describes the heat affected zone on a few different plasma processes as well as weldability. Typically with plasma the heat affected zone is less than 1/8th inch, most often les than .010". There are a few other publications I can find for you with similar info, or if you need specific data on a particular sheet I would suggest getting a cut sample done and then contracting an independant lab to get it tested.Jim Colt
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArcPM sent, telling you about Industrial Metal Supply (IMS).   That's like a Costco warehouse for metal!!!!