Plasma Cutting Guide--Look Mom no Clamps Req'd

admin

I have needed these for years, and for years I have cobbed together whatever steel I had around around the shop to do two things:1) Provide a straight edge for plasma cutting that was fast to set up2) Provide the proper offset above the tip to avoid blow back and have the consumables last longer.  Please note the Miller Spectrum torch I have is not really a drag type and it should be spaced about 0.062 off the cutting surface.  I also wanted to use these without the use of clamps to get in the way.  The solution was those wonderful Neodymium magnets.  I think the photos are self explanatory if there are any questions please let me know.  The magnets are a press fit approx. 0.750 dia. so an end mill works great.  The hole is bored a few thou deeper than the holder.  I have made various lengths up to about 52" to cut sheets in half.  I hope this might give you gents a few ideas for other applications.
Reply:With necessity being the mother of invention, I thing you just gave birth to a new tool. Looks like it works great and I'm sure it will be copied many times over. That is a great solution to the problem everyone with a plasma cutter has to deal with sooner or later.
Reply:You da Man! Thanks so much for posting this. I have some aluminum straight edges I clamp down using little wood spacers and double stick masking tape.......yours is a much better and cleaner solution.Thanks again for sharing,cheers,   mike
Reply:Do those magnets work on non-ferrous material? Have we all gone mad?
Reply:Nice clean job! Ive always used angle iron and clamps for a straight edge. Will have to make some of these up myself. Thanks for sharing! Millermatic 251Spectrum 300 PlasmaEverlast PowerTig 250EXEverlast PowerCool W300Harris / Victor OACraftsman 13 Speed Drill PressProTools Air/Hydraulic Bender48" BrakeCompressor, Notchers, Grinders, etc.
Reply:Originally Posted by sn0border88Do those magnets work on non-ferrous material?
Reply:Originally Posted by RugarNo. You have to use aluminum magnets for that.
Reply:if it's thin, you could place magnets on the opposite side of the aluminum
Reply:Nice idea. For plywood and thicker steel/ alum I've got some clamps similar to this. Mine are 52" long so I can do a bit more than a 4' sheet.http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shops...mer_clamp.htmlTo do thin material I'll often clamp over  a heavier piece of plywood and hang the cut off the edge. I'll clamp the thin material to the 3/4" base out of the way. Attached ImagesLast edited by DSW; 10-10-2010 at 07:00 PM..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Very "attractive" idea!
Reply:Does the tip of the torch touch the straight edge.  If so you're shorting the tip to ground.  Can you insulate the straight edge with some plastic bushings and washers?Dynasty200DX w/coolmate1MM210MM VintageESAB miniarc161ltsLincoln AC225Victor O/A, Smith AW1ACutmaster 81IR 2475N7.5FPRage3Jancy USA1019" SBAEAD-200LE
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWNice idea. For plywood and thicker steel/ alum I've got some clamps similar to this. Mine are 52" long so I can do a bit more than a 4' sheet.To do thin material I'll often clamp over  a heavier piece of plywood and hang the cut off the edge. I'll clamp the thin material to the 3/4" base out of the way.
Reply:Originally Posted by rlitmanWOW!  You use your plasma cutter on plywood.  I NEED to know how that works.:-)
Reply:You almost got me to spit soda all over my keyboard!
Reply:I wish I had a bottle of compressed air at the house right now. I'd be tempted to break out the Powermax 1000, crank it up to max, set it on the expanded metal setting and see if I could go thru the 1/8" plywood with a sheet steel cover.   Attached Images.No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWI wish I had a bottle of compressed air at the house right now. I'd be tempted to break out the Powermax 1000, crank it up to max, set it on the expanded metal setting and see if I could go thru the 1/8" plywood with a sheet steel cover.
Reply:Originally Posted by AndyAI've 'cut' through some 2x4s that I had supporting the metal I was cutting.  Not so much a cut as an instant strip of flaming wood.  There's nothing like molten metal to start fires.
Reply:Those are some pretty nice guides!  I'd like to purchase a set from you.  How much for a 12", 36", and 52" set of three? I'll pay shipping of course.  [email protected]
Reply:Very nice indeed!Could you link to your source for the magnets?Also as I have the same plasma cutter, what are the heights that you used for the magnet block and the flat bar?ChrisLincoln Pro Mig 180TMiller Spectrum 375
Reply:it's probably to late to patent it.......There go's a million out the window.............
Reply:Knack--I got the magnets from Lee Valley Tools, these are the 3/4" dia version.  There are also plenty of suppliers on the net. if you do a search for rare earth magnets, you'll find a lot of other uses for these.  Here's the link. http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/pag...363,42348&ap=1The lower piece is 0.375 (magnet insert) by 1" wide 1018 CR, the top is 0.125 also 1080 CR 1.5 wide.  This gives an offset of about 0.060 thou, which is about right for this amperage.  Higher amps you might go a bit more of a gap. skidaddy---Thanks for asking about a set, these are one off jobs and I've got about 8 hrs into them, my time is free, but my machine time is $90/Hr, you wouldn't want to spend that kind of money on these. But thanks for asking. 1awert1--the story of my life......day late and dollar short.