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Re: Plasma cutting advice and i need a cheap plasma cutter

Originally Posted by TexasT

I was looking like you for a "less expensive" type unit and settled on this one for a couple reasons.
1. it had a couple good reviews in vids on youtube
2. The water separator is behind a side panel. Some of the other units we considered had it hanging off the back and if there is one thing I know it is things that hang off get knocked off.
3. It was dual voltage. It works way better on 240v but can do plenty on the 120v but is better all around on 240v ime.

It has the pt31 torch you mention. I did find that there are regular and extended tips. I think the extended do a better job so I ordered those. I ordered some "more expensive" consumables but they don't seem to last any longer than the less expensive ones I got from china.

I will say that it does take some practice and I'm not that good at it. But I can do some cutting and I think it is way better than the sawzall. But the whiz wheel is a good way to separate metal too.

me.

I am eager to get my plasma cutter but will have to wait a bit.

Re: Plasma cutting advice and i need a cheap plasma cutter

https://www.ebay.com/itm/27360141766...Cclp%3A2334524
I was looking like you for a "less expensive" type unit and settled on this one for a couple reasons.
1. it had a couple good reviews in vids on youtube
2. The water separator is behind a side panel. Some of the other units we considered had it hanging off the back and if there is one thing I know it is things that hang off get knocked off.
3. It was dual voltage. It works way better on 240v but can do plenty on the 120v but is better all around on 240v ime.

It has the pt31 torch you mention. I did find that there are regular and extended tips. I think the extended do a better job so I ordered those. I ordered some "more expensive" consumables but they don't seem to last any longer than the less expensive ones I got from china.

I will say that it does take some practice and I'm not that good at it. But I can do some cutting and I think it is way better than the sawzall. But the whiz wheel is a good way to separate metal too.


A vid of me goofing with it in the back area.
As above you do need an air compressor.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/164228472798
These are the last order I made for consumables.
You might need some ceramic rings and the ceramic nose pieces. But I go through those two upper pieces way more than the ceramic unless I drop the torch and chip the nose piece.
I bought a #5 lens victor google setup for like $10 off ebay. Cheap but it works. I'd get some #5 glasses next time.

Re: Plasma cutting advice and i need a cheap plasma cutter

Originally Posted by psacustomcreations

That is an appropriate amps. Your travel speed will play an important part of the quality of the cut part. Too slow and you will have ugly cuts with a lot of dross. You will have a hard time controlling a fast cut. Which then results in more work with the grinder to clean up the part.

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

It sounds like there is a learning curve with plasma cutters. Like everything else practice makes perfect.

Re: Plasma cutting advice and i need a cheap plasma cutter

Originally Posted by psacustomcreations

That is an appropriate amps. Your travel speed will play an important part of the quality of the cut part. Too slow and you will have ugly cuts with a lot of dross. You will have a hard time controlling a fast cut. Which then results in more work with the grinder to clean up the part.

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

Thank you

Re: Plasma cutting advice and i need a cheap plasma cutter

That is an appropriate amps. Your travel speed will play an important part of the quality of the cut part. Too slow and you will have ugly cuts with a lot of dross. You will have a hard time controlling a fast cut. Which then results in more work with the grinder to clean up the part.

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

Re: Plasma cutting advice and i need a cheap plasma cutter

Originally Posted by psacustomcreations

The blanks sell for $3-4 each. The completed roses can go for anywhere from $30-150. All depends upon quality of work and selling location.
At only $3-4 each for a blank, that is very reasonable.
Your best bet is to buy a bunch of blanks and make the roses. Then attempt to sell them for what you think is the price you want.

You may be able to make enough money to afford a better tool or plasma cutter.

This also allows you test the market for a low initial investment.

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

Thanks again. If i wanted to cut 22 gauge sheet metal, how many amps would i use on the plasma cutter? I tried to google it but couldn't find anything. The reason i ask is the plasma cutter i am considering buying starts out at 20 amps. It that too much for 22 gauge?

Re: Plasma cutting advice and i need a cheap plasma cutter

Originally Posted by Need Advice

Thank you. I want to sell completed Roses. I didn't know they went $3-4 each in bulk. But i also have other ideas i would like to make as well.

The blanks sell for $3-4 each. The completed roses can go for anywhere from $30-150. All depends upon quality of work and selling location.
At only $3-4 each for a blank, that is very reasonable.
Your best bet is to buy a bunch of blanks and make the roses. Then attempt to sell them for what you think is the price you want.

You may be able to make enough money to afford a better tool or plasma cutter.

This also allows you test the market for a low initial investment.

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

Re: Plasma cutting advice and i need a cheap plasma cutter

Originally Posted by psacustomcreations

Are you trying to sell the rose blanks or completed roses?
If you look on Etsy you will see people selling the same rose blanks for $12 -15 each. One shop is laser or plasma cutting them and selling them for $3-4 for each set in bulk quantities. The reality is that it will be cheaper in time and resources to buy the blanks from the second place if you are selling the completed rose.

Thank you. I want to sell completed Roses. I didn't know they went $3-4 each in bulk. But i also have other ideas i would like to make as well.

Re: Plasma cutting advice and i need a cheap plasma cutter

Originally Posted by Need Advice

Here is one thing i would like to cut out, see image below. Its a steel rose template. I would like to sell steel roses for profit but dont want to put a lot of time in it so i can sell them cheaper. I don't want to use hand tools. I know a plasma cutter will cut this but how about a oxy fuel torch? I want to use wood patterns.

Attachment 1731248

Are you trying to sell the rose blanks or completed roses?
If you look on Etsy you will see people selling the same rose blanks for $12 -15 each. One shop is laser or plasma cutting them and selling them for $3-4 for each set in bulk quantities. The reality is that it will be cheaper in time and resources to buy the blanks from the second place if you are selling the completed rose.

Re: Plasma cutting advice and i need a cheap plasma cutter

Originally Posted by Josey

Hi I bought a cheap Reboot plasma cutter 50 amp on Amazon a few months ago. It has the PT 31 torch
I have been very impressed with the performance of that little plasma Cuts 1/2' cleanly and quickly. I thought it would need a lot of consumables so as they were very cheap to buy in larger quantity I bough a few packets But I
have only used a few. I keep a small file and clean the tip if it gets splatter on it I also have an Esab 80 amp which
I use for most things I thought the smaller one would be handy for smaller jobs. If You were closer to Me I would
give you a good deal on the Reboot But cross border shipping would be expensive.

Thank you. It would be nice to have a robot cutter, but i can make due with a copy cutter as i like to call it..

Re: Plasma cutting advice and i need a cheap plasma cutter

Originally Posted by M J D

Never used a pantograph or " tracer" . Oxy-fuel is usually done free hand or a " burn bar" , sometimes a circle guide. Plasma is done with a straitedge for straight cuts. Circles are usually done with a template or a circle guide for larger ones. Patterns for odd shapes. For odd shaped curves I will bend 1/4" steel rod or 1/4" nickle- copper brake line to use as a template.

Thank you for your advice. Its greatly appreciated.

Re: Plasma cutting advice and i need a cheap plasma cutter

Hi I bought a cheap Reboot plasma cutter 50 amp on Amazon a few months ago. It has the PT 31 torch
I have been very impressed with the performance of that little plasma Cuts 1/2' cleanly and quickly. I thought it would need a lot of consumables so as they were very cheap to buy in larger quantity I bough a few packets But I
have only used a few. I keep a small file and clean the tip if it gets splatter on it I also have an Esab 80 amp which
I use for most things I thought the smaller one would be handy for smaller jobs. If You were closer to Me I would
give you a good deal on the Reboot But cross border shipping would be expensive.

Re: Plasma cutting advice and i need a cheap plasma cutter

Originally Posted by Need Advice

Thank you. Have you used a pantograph or copy machine? I plan on building one. They seem pretty simple and i assume you wouldn't have to worry about your patterns getting damaged.

Never used a pantograph or " tracer" . Oxy-fuel is usually done free hand or a " burn bar" , sometimes a circle guide. Plasma is done with a straitedge for straight cuts. Circles are usually done with a template or a circle guide for larger ones. Patterns for odd shapes. For odd shaped curves I will bend 1/4" steel rod or 1/4" nickle- copper brake line to use as a template.

Re: Plasma cutting advice and i need a cheap plasma cutter

These filters work good. But they sure are expensive. I never knew they cost so much.
https://www.amazon.com/Motor-Guard-M.../dp/B000GI0H2M

Re: Plasma cutting advice and i need a cheap plasma cutter

Originally Posted by whtbaron

That will probably get you started depending on how steady you want to cut. The lower cost plasma's won't have a very high duty cycle anyway. Another option is to add an extra storage tank. Be aware that the harder you run it, the more you will need a good moisture removal/filtration system.

Yes i plan on building a water filtration system. Those toilet paper roll water filters worked good in the body shop i worked in years ago. I wonder if they still sell them? I could build a water separator and then attach the paper roll filter at the end.

Re: Plasma cutting advice and i need a cheap plasma cutter

That will probably get you started depending on how steady you want to cut. The lower cost plasma's won't have a very high duty cycle anyway. Another option is to add an extra storage tank. Be aware that the harder you run it, the more you will need a good moisture removal/filtration system.

Re: Plasma cutting advice and i need a cheap plasma cutter

Originally Posted by whtbaron

You might want to read this thread about the dedicated wiring, air consumption and filtering requirements of the low priced units.
https://weldingweb.com/vbb/threads/7...-plasma-cutter

Air consumption is something to consider. I currently have a 6 gallon with 200 psi and 5.1 SCFM at 90 PSI. If that's not enough i'll get another compressor and hook them together. It will cost me another 400 dollars but i would have plenty of air for air tools maybe. Or i'll buy a used compressor somewhere.

Re: Plasma cutting advice and i need a cheap plasma cutter

Originally Posted by whtbaron

More good info on low cost consumables on the last couple pages of this thread...

https://weldingweb.com/vbb/threads/7...eap-can-you-go


You do realize you'll need clean compressed air and enough current to deal with the power needs of the unit, right?

Thanks, i need all the help i can get.

Re: Plasma cutting advice and i need a cheap plasma cutter

Originally Posted by whtbaron

You might want to read this thread about the dedicated wiring, air consumption and filtering requirements of the low priced units.
https://weldingweb.com/vbb/threads/7...-plasma-cutter

Thank you, i will read it.

Re: Plasma cutting advice and i need a cheap plasma cutter

Originally Posted by M J D

For most things a pattern cut out of 1/4" or so plywood works good. Hardboard is better yet. If you have a printer, mark out a print out, allowing for tip or shield distance. Use spray adhesive to stick it to your pattern material and cut it out. A jigsaw works well if you place the pattern material on 2" styrofoam and cut it out. Depending on the size and shape you can either clamp the pattern or use adhesive to secure it to the material. With some practice and a steady cut speed you can turn out some very accurate parts that won't require much clean up.

Thank you. Have you used a pantograph or copy machine? I plan on building one. They seem pretty simple and i assume you wouldn't have to worry about your patterns getting damaged.

Re: Plasma cutting advice and i need a cheap plasma cutter

Originally Posted by whtbaron

I've had my Cut 50 for a few months now.... I think it was around $250 Cdn. on Amazon and better quality low priced consumables are available. I wouldn't get too excited about the torch handle at these prices. I would consider the whole machine as pretty much disposable. It won't quite make the 1/2" cut that some have managed to attain, but if your metal is all 3/8" or thinner, it will work fine and is much easier to control the heat on that a large O/A unit. There are fine cut torches for O/A as well, but I don't think you'll find a lot in your price range once you consider the tank rental etc.

Thank you. Does O/A stand for oxy Acetylene? I already have an oxy propane setup.

Re: Plasma cutting advice and i need a cheap plasma cutter

The primeweld comes with a 3 year no hassle warranty and 24 hour service in the US

Re: Plasma cutting advice and i need a cheap plasma cutter

More good info on low cost consumables on the last couple pages of this thread...

https://weldingweb.com/vbb/threads/7...eap-can-you-go


You do realize you'll need clean compressed air and enough current to deal with the power needs of the unit, right?

Re: Plasma cutting advice and i need a cheap plasma cutter

You might want to read this thread about the dedicated wiring, air consumption and filtering requirements of the low priced units.
https://weldingweb.com/vbb/threads/7...-plasma-cutter

Re: Plasma cutting advice and i need a cheap plasma cutter

For most things a pattern cut out of 1/4" or so plywood works good. Hardboard is better yet. If you have a printer, mark out a print out, allowing for tip or shield distance. Use spray adhesive to stick it to your pattern material and cut it out. A jigsaw works well if you place the pattern material on 2" styrofoam and cut it out. Depending on the size and shape you can either clamp the pattern or use adhesive to secure it to the material. With some practice and a steady cut speed you can turn out some very accurate parts that won't require much clean up.