Plasma cutting on stainless - use Nitrogen?

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Cut some 1/4" stainless plate for a friend of mine.  It was my plate, but really didn't come out as clean as I wanted.1) the drag tip kept getting hung up on template.  The template was a little on the thin side so not the best thing to trace.2) More 'dross' than I expected.  I tried 40-60Amps with no difference.  Clean air, solid 90psi.  Just ugly looking cuts.3) Cuts were very black.4) Kerf was very variable in width.  If I slowed for a second, the kerf got significantly wider.Most of my cutting is done along a straight edge - and typically 1/4" steel.  I know when I cut straight, I maintain a steady pace and it cuts clean.  Around a pattern it was awful.I ultimately cut a new pattern from MDF board, and that lasted long enough to cut 6 more out.So, its the first time cutting around a pattern.Would using a gas like nitrogen cure some of the issues?I used brand new consumables (except for swirl ring).  Could that be an issue?Con Fuse!Miller Dynasty 350Millermatic 350P-Spoolmatic 30AMiller Multimatic 200Hypertherm PowerMax 1000G3Miller Maxstar 200DX
Reply:If you are cutting by hand...most likely the issue is with cutting too slow. Nitrogen....on an air plasma system (like your Powermax1000) will not improve the cut, rather it will make more dross.Use the 60 Amp shielded consumables.....drag cut, use a straigh edge or template if possible and cut at just under the speed where the arc will not penetrate....operate the unit at 60 amps on 3/16" SS and thicker. The cuts should be droos free...the edge will be brown from oxidation.There are dual gas plasma system that can cut using argon /hydrogen as the plasma gas with nitrogen as the shield gas that can produce clean, shiny edges....generally they are used for cnc cutting applications.Jim Colt   Hypertherm