Plasma cutter - paper template use?

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I have created some paper templates for the motor mount tabs I need to cut. The material is .125" mild steel plate. I added .125" to the outer edge to account for the kerf.I recall seeing a post where the paper template was simply glued to the metal. The plasma cutter was used to simply trace the line. Is this feasible, or was I imagining this?Lee TiltonSCCA F500 Pilot
Reply:Get a piece of paper and a piece of scrap and give it a try..125" for the kerf is a bit much though wouldn't you think?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:Originally Posted by F500I recall seeing a post where the paper template was simply glued to the metal. The plasma cutter was used to simply trace the line. Is this feasible, or was I imagining this?
Reply:Originally Posted by TensaitekiHere's the thread: How I do accurate plasma cutting...
Reply:Lee,You probably don't mean the kerf itself, which is usually pretty thin/small for most plasma cutters.You probably mean the side offset for the width of the torch tip or nozzle that is following the 'guide'.  Measure your torch and then offset the template/guide appropriately as needed.  The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:Originally Posted by MoonRiseLee,You probably don't mean the kerf itself, which is usually pretty thin/small for most plasma cutters.You probably mean the side offset for the width of the torch tip or nozzle that is following the 'guide'.  Measure your torch and then offset the template/guide appropriately as needed.
Reply:I made paper templates to cut the parts for the bucket extenders I fabricated last fall. (Pictures and Projects, Bucket Extenders) The side plates are 1/8", the reinforcements are 1/4".  The paper works great!  I bought a roll of brown construction paper (sometimes known as kraft paper) at Lowe's for less than 10 bucks to make the templates.  Sprayed one side of the paper with Tack 1000 general purpose contact adhesive , let it "dry" just a bit so it was tacky, then smoothed the paper right onto the steel plate.  I used a 2x3/8 flat bar as a guide for the straight cuts, semi-free-handed the curves.  The paper burns ahead of the plasma torch as Tensaiteki said, but I found it easy to hold the heel of my hand on the metal bar as an axis and rotate the torch to follow the curves.  A little grinding after to clean things up and voila!  Nice cutout!  -MondoMember, AWSLincoln ProMIG 140Lincoln AC TombstoneCraftsman Lathe 12 x 24 c1935Atlas MFC Horizontal MillCraftsman Commercial Lathe 12 x 36 c1970- - - I'll just keep on keepin' on.