The Anti Plasma Dude Strikes Again LOL

admin

For those of you that think that you gotta absoluteley positively gotta gotta gotta have a plasma cutter.................Plasma This  3/4 flat cutoff.  Both pieces stacked up on each other to show the uniformity of the cut.  One is the piece of flat that the cut was made on, and the other is the piece that dropped.If you don't need the ability to cut with a template with a high degree of precision, or work with real thin stuff, ya don't need it.Ok, I'm gettin' ready for the incoming. Attached Images"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Nice cut Sam.  A clean tip, proper stand off and correct speed are all big factors in a quality OA cuts like that as you well know.  Plasma cutters are great but there will be no incoming from this end.  OA torches will always have their place and purposes.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Thanks Duane.I just don't want new folks to think that it's the end all-be allI have wanted one a time or two, but it's a pretty specialized piece of equipment, and I can't afford to tie money up in one right now"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Oh he!! my plaz would have gone through that in 6-7 passes no problem Nice cut old man.
Reply:Samm, a Plasma is still much quicker and cuts cleaner when you need to post a sign saying   "No Parking Here"  in the side of the van someone left blocking your driveway!      :
Reply:Well you have convinced me....I've been reading up on plasma,thinking that I gotta have one.A...I just weld as a hobby and small side jobsB..Lot of money for something that would only get used a few times a yearAnd when you said you can count on one hand the times you really could've  used one.
Reply:Plasma will never replace oxy-fuel....however most people that buy an adequately powerful plasma will only use theri oxy-fuel torches a fraction of what they used to.....the plasma cuts many materials faster and cleaner than oxy-fuel.....and at a lower cost per foot of cut. (once you get over the cost of buying the plasma in the first place!).And.....all you need to do is pull the trigger and drag the torch on the plate....learning curve is short.Also.....many people tend to lump all plasma systems together. A 30 amp plasma is a low powered plasma......and works well on materials thinner than 1/4"....with an occasional severance cut. If you do a lot of fabrication on materials to 1".....you need an 80 to 100 amp (major brand) plasma. I do a lot of fabricating in my home shop......I go weeks at a time without firing up the oxy-fuel.....the plasmas (I have 3) run every day.Jim Colt
Reply:Screw plasma, I want either one of these:Laser:[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHjGfwf3Aeg"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHjGfwf3Aeg[/ame]Water:[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHeGgPjRmaE"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHeGgPjRmaE[/ame]
Reply:Plasma on 1" Carbon steel (Hypertherm 400 Amp HPR400xd) = 85 inches per minute6 kW laser on 1" carbon steel = 32 inches per minuteAbrasive water jet on 1" carbon steel = 14 inches per minutePlasma can be hand held.....the other processes can not! Plasma is far less expensive to operate than either laser or abrasive water jet......and plasma is far less expensive to purchase.Laser has better accuracy and speed on thinner materias....less than 3/16" typically.Abrasive water jet has good accuracy and no haz (heat affected zone) on all materials....but is slow, messy, and costly to operate.There are quite a few shops in the world that have Plasma, oxy-fuel, laser and water jet processes.....each process is used when it is best matched to the job needs in terms of accuracy, cost and productivity.Jim
Reply:A number 4 bulldog scrap tip will make short work of any ill parked carsDisclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:I said I wanted one of them, nowhere did I say it was practical.  If I could afford either water or laser, do you think I'd give a damn about how fast they'd cut?   I'm talking about toys man.   Originally Posted by jimcoltPlasma on 1" Carbon steel (Hypertherm 400 Amp HPR400xd) = 85 inches per minute6 kW laser on 1" carbon steel = 32 inches per minuteAbrasive water jet on 1" carbon steel = 14 inches per minutePlasma can be hand held.....the other processes can not! Plasma is far less expensive to operate than either laser or abrasive water jet......and plasma is far less expensive to purchase.Laser has better accuracy and speed on thinner materias....less than 3/16" typically.Abrasive water jet has good accuracy and no haz (heat affected zone) on all materials....but is slow, messy, and costly to operate.There are quite a few shops in the world that have Plasma, oxy-fuel, laser and water jet processes.....each process is used when it is best matched to the job needs in terms of accuracy, cost and productivity.Jim
Reply:Sam, I'm with you.I'd love to have a plasma, but the little use I would have for it would mean that it would have to be free to justify it.Try tiis with plasma- broken fitting in cast iron ex manifold removal.Peter Attached Images
Reply:Good one Castweld. You should'a been a dentist! There's a manifold that still has some iron in it, looks like Ford.Good LuckLast edited by denrep; 06-02-2009 at 01:40 AM.
Reply:That plug could have been removed from the cast manifold with a plasma torch at 20 to 30 amps in the same manner that it was done in the picture. I have done similar jobs many times with plasma! Actually....replacing rusty exhaust systems is a great application for a small plasma like the Hypertherm Powermax30. The old exhaust will be in the scrap bin in record time when plasma is used to cut clamps, flanges...and sever pipes. Of course oxy-fuel in the hands of an experienced operator does well for these applications too.Jim
Reply:I remain a big supporter of Oxy/Act rigs, and frequently post advising newbies to consider them.  There are few cutting/welding/ brazing/heating tasks that a skilled weldor cannot do with aplomb (with mucho dinero left over for cat food!!. I encountered a Metal Artist at a Metal Arts Fair that used only gas, and worked in 1/4" and 1/2 " plate.  His kerfs were extremely thin , even on the 1/2"...and looked like a robot did them...no substitute for practice, practice, practice, I guess!  I keep telling myself I'm going to buy a quality cutting torch setup to start trying this, ...but the Plasma is so handy, simple, and handy!"Good Enough Never Is"MIller AC/DC  ThunderboltHobart HH180, 125EZRiland Cut 40 Plasma oxy/act  outfitTons of "stuff", all treasures to me!
Reply:The stainless cutouts I used to get from a shop in town, made with a laser torch on 0.100 thick material, had kerfs as thin as 0.007 measured with a feeler gauge, and on 1/2 inch stock, they weren't much thicker.Until 'they' make a battery powered plasma with the capacity to quickly cut locks, chains, vault doors, ...I expect OA to the tool of choice for portable use. Supplemented by a few accessories, like burning bars and NItro, of course.
Reply:Originally Posted by Oldiron2...Supplemented by a few accessories, like burning bars and NItro, of course.
Reply:Actually....even though I work for a plasma company.....I don't think anyone should even try welding or plasma cutting until they are at least familiar with an oxy fuel setup. It should be the first thing that anyone intersted in metal fabricating should learn to use....and probably one of the first tools to buy.That being said.....plasma...in my shop...is the second most used tool. First is the 4-1/2 inch grinder!Jim
Reply:Originally Posted by denrepGood one Castweld. You should'a been a dentist! There's a manifold that still has some iron in it, looks like Ford.Good Luck
Reply:If I had it to do over again, I would spend a lot less on my plasma and a lot more on my bandsaw. Probably even skip the plasma until later.Live and learn.
Reply:O/A is the best! What other outfit can weld, heat only and cut without electricity and is also available in a portable format. No plasma can beat that....
Reply:Yeah....but I have a bit of trouble cutting warpage free on 16 gauge steel with oxy-fuel......and how does the oxy-fuel do on aluminum and stainless?Both processes are nice to have. Jim
Reply:Originally Posted by jimcoltYeah....but I have a bit of trouble cutting warpage free on 16 gauge steel with oxy-fuel......and how does the oxy-fuel do on aluminum and stainless?...
Reply:ya gotta admit, plasma is fun, but has its limitations. portability, cutting power and price.oxy fuel, prices went up with gas prices where i live. i've got a set of small tanks, there portable, but only provide an hour worth of cutting. the oxygen runs out first.