Comp Air Question for Plasma

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How important/critical is moisture removal and oil. I have run my compressor and very rarely do I get moisture out of the tank. The comments range from I don't run any thing to you need a dyer and filter and certain distance from the compressor. I am not high volume production just hobby work. Will my consumables be high or is it more of purist point of view?Should I drag and pull the trigger and see?
Reply:Lorenzo brought his plasma cutter to the last class..Good stuff..We hooked it up to the shop air..The tank had its share of water in it... Whatelse is new... But we drained it and just ran with it..No problem with the plasma or the carbon arc gouging.. ...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:The instructions for my ESAB 650 plasma claims that moisture will decrease the life of the consumables (tips).
Reply:The less contaminents, the better off you are. Introduce water to a fire and what happens? Introduce oil into a fire and what happens? John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:Originally Posted by wielroHow important/critical is moisture removal and oil. I have run my compressor and very rarely do I get moisture out of the tank. The comments range from I don't run any thing to you need a dyer and filter and certain distance from the compressor. I am not high volume production just hobby work. Will my consumables be high or is it more of purist point of view?Should I drag and pull the trigger and see?
Reply:Clean and dry air means longer tip and electro life and better running machine. When moister, dirt , or oil pass through the tip it causes and short which can burn out your tips. Also this short loads the machine up a little more and can damage it over time. The price of a good filter system can be quickly out weighed by the consumables.Miller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.
Reply:I run my plasma on a machine- so its really a big pain if right in the middle of cutting out a part that already took 5 minutes, the torch sputters and the cut is interrupted because of crap in the air line.I run a standard water trap on the compressor, and then, right before the plasma cutter, a motor guard paper filter. This works really well, and the plasma doesnt get clogged. I think its really worth it to have a filter on the plasma. I  suppose if all you are doing is hand hacking stuff up, you dont mind the ocassional spot where it isnt cut thru all the way, but it would get me grumpy fast. Why rework stuff you dont have to?As for consumables- I spend close to $100 for a pack of 5 tips and electrodes- so anything that makes em last longer is a good thing in my book. Get one of these- you wont be sorry.http://www.motorguard.com/air_2_3.html