-
Plasma, I forgot, What does it do?
I wanted a plasma cutter. I tried a cheap one, didn't like it. I sprung for a Hypertherm 45XP.
Today I wanted to take a shortcut. I've had a couple pins on the Case backhoe repeatedly lose the snap rings. These pins are double end, no need for snap rings on both ends. My plan was two thick washers for each. One 1/2" thick fits the pin. Another is 1/4" thick will weld to the end of the pin.
Today I confirmed; Plasma moves steel from where I don't want it to somewhere else I don't want it.
I could have used the lathe, that'd take forever. As is, I've spent two hours grinding four washers to functional shape. I "cleaned up" with an acetylene torch.
An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
-
-
Re: Plasma, I forgot, What does it do?
Originally Posted by
Willie B
I wanted a plasma cutter. I tried a cheap one, didn't like it. I sprung for a Hypertherm 45XP.
Today I wanted to take a shortcut. I've had a couple pins on the Case backhoe repeatedly lose the snap rings. These pins are double end, no need for snap rings on both ends. My plan was two thick washers for each. One 1/2" thick fits the pin. Another is 1/4" thick will weld to the end of the pin.
Today I confirmed; Plasma moves steel from where I don't want it to somewhere else I don't want it.
I could have used the lathe, that'd take forever. As is, I've spent two hours grinding four washers to functional shape. I "cleaned up" with an acetylene torch.
A 45 is a bit short on power for freehanding 1/2" unless you're really steady. I have a 65 and it (and I) struggle at times with 1/2" freehand. I've learned to make pattern jigs and use a straightedge with a drag tip. Otherwise I would do 1/4" with a 000 cutting torch tip and 1/2" with a 0.
-
Re: Plasma, I forgot, What does it do?
Originally Posted by
Willie B
I wanted a plasma cutter. I tried a cheap one, didn't like it. I sprung for a Hypertherm 45XP.
Today I wanted to take a shortcut. I've had a couple pins on the Case backhoe repeatedly lose the snap rings. These pins are double end, no need for snap rings on both ends. My plan was two thick washers for each. One 1/2" thick fits the pin. Another is 1/4" thick will weld to the end of the pin.
Today I confirmed; Plasma moves steel from where I don't want it to somewhere else I don't want it.
I could have used the lathe, that'd take forever. As is, I've spent two hours grinding four washers to functional shape. I "cleaned up" with an acetylene torch.
it should cut 1/4" no problem? I have the 65powermax so not the same but on 45amps i would expect to be able to cut 1/4". is your air getting through properly?
Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk
-
Re: Plasma, I forgot, What does it do?
a 45XP should blitz through 1/2". I've seen one guy take the outer shield off his 45XP, and with a very slow and careful cut, manage to get a relatively clean cut through a 35mm pin. I wouldn't have believed it except i know several people can cut 25mm clean with them.
Even my cheapy cut40 can just about sever 1/2".
Problem with plasma is that it doesn't burn up metal with oxygen like OF does - instead all it does is melt and move it. You have to plan for where that metal is going to be moved to... usually through the other side of the sheet... but if not, then it;s going to come back out...
Murphy's Golden Rule: Whoever has the gold, makes the rules.
-
Re: Plasma, I forgot, What does it do?
My son showed up yesterday morning with a cheap Land pride scraper blade his Father in law had bent into a curve with a 25 HP Kubota tractor. He wanted to straighten it & reinforce it.
The plan was to remove the edge bolts & bolt a 3/8 wall Angle the length to stiffen it & add weight.
His shortcut was cut 8 3/4" holes in 3/8 with plasma. He struggled with it, used some language the railroad workers 3/4 mile away (I'm sure) heard & were shocked!
When he was done, I set out to make my four washers. I've seen a bigger washer used as a template. I have two circle cutters for it, but they work best on bigger circles. I cut free hand to a line. It doesn't cut square, it leaves a series of "peninsulas" inside the hole. Unlike a torch, I can't clean up irregularities, it just won't start except on a sharp edge.
It pushes the steel around onto the back side of the plate. LET THE GRINDING BEGIN!
Thinking about it this morning, I had painted with the compressor Saturday. I was at 40 PSIG. I asked Seth if he turned the pressure up. He assured me he had. I bet he did not.
An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
-
Re: Plasma, I forgot, What does it do?
Yea... they like to breath... running without turning on the air compressor doesn't last long...
250 amp Miller DialArc AC/DC Stick
F-225 amp Forney AC Stick
230 amp Sears AC Stick
Lincoln 180C MIG
Vevor MIG 200A
Victor Medalist 350 O/A
Amico APC-70 Plasma
Vevor Cut 50 Plasma
Les
-
Re: Plasma, I forgot, What does it do?
Nope.
5 HP compressor (Ingersoll Rand) 80 Gal tank, It was set over 100 PSIG. I'm not sure what the problem was, but air pressure wasn't it.
An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
-
Re: Plasma, I forgot, What does it do?
The plasma will throw error codes if pressure is low. Sounds like worn consumables or poor technique.
-
Post Thanks / Like - 1 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
-
Post Thanks / Like - 2 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Re: Plasma, I forgot, What does it do?
Originally Posted by
MinnesotaDave
Hey Willie, I can tell you they don't cut like a torch, that's for sure. Very unforgiving freehand in my opinion.
Every tiny movement is transmitted to that tiny little cut.
With a torch, while supporting my hand appropriately, my cuts look very straight.
Same technique freehand with my plasma, little saw-tooth like marks show up "for no reason."
Oxy/propane good....plasma bad....
Even if the cut at surface level is good, it's unpredictable what it'll do 1/8" away. I can cut a useable bolt hole with torch. Plasma, I have to grind back side clean (no easy task), then clean it up from the other side. Torch, if I get a sawtooth I can remove it, walls of a cut are square.
An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
-
Re: Plasma, I forgot, What does it do?
Originally Posted by
Willie B
Even if the cut at surface level is good, it's unpredictable what it'll do 1/8" away. I can cut a useable bolt hole with torch. Plasma, I have to grind back side clean (no easy task), then clean it up from the other side. Torch, if I get a sawtooth I can remove it, walls of a cut are square.
The dross on the backside from plasma often comes off way easier with a chipping hammer than by grinder - in my opinion.
That crap (dross) is super hard...
Dave J.
Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~
Syncro 350
Invertec v250-s
Thermal Arc 161 and 300
MM210
Dialarc
Tried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
-
Re: Plasma, I forgot, What does it do?
Originally Posted by
MinnesotaDave
The dross on the backside from plasma often comes off way easier with a chipping hammer than by grinder - in my opinion.
That crap (dross) is super hard...
A wide bricklayer chisel works well.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
:
-
Post Thanks / Like - 3 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Re: Plasma, I forgot, What does it do?
This is a chunk of 3/4" plate I was playing with freehand. The 65 will do it but I'm not always with it. I am getting better with it and use the O/A torch less and less. Oh, the bottom of the cut is untouched.
-
Post Thanks / Like - 1 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Plasma, I forgot, What does it do?
Last edited by Lis2323; 04-06-2021 at 08:42 PM.
:
-
Post Thanks / Like - 1 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Re: Plasma, I forgot, What does it do?
I just sold my 100 amp Miller Plasma cutter
This is my freehand with oxyacetylene today on 3/4”.
Like Dave mentioned. Way easier cutting freehand with a cutting torch. Better control with the longer body.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
:
-
Re: Plasma, I forgot, What does it do?
Originally Posted by
Lis2323
I just sold my 100 amp Miller Plasma cutter
This is my freehand with oxyacetylene today on 3/4”.
Like Dave mentioned. Way easier cutting freehand with a cutting torch. Better control with the longer body.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Good point, I would love to see a plasma torch that mimics the balance of an O/A torch with a 90 degree head and a length that matches the average size and maybe even an uncomplicated top mount switch.... Might make it easier for us old dogs to adapt.
-
Re: Plasma, I forgot, What does it do?
Originally Posted by
12V71
Good point, I would love to see a plasma torch that mimics the balance of an O/A torch with a 90 degree head and a length that matches the average size and maybe even an uncomplicated top mount switch.... Might make it easier for us old dogs to adapt.
Couple of old guys looking for the solution to a problem that doesn't exist to 99% of the welding population. LOL.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
:
-
Post Thanks / Like - 1 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Re: Plasma, I forgot, What does it do?
Wow! I can't do that with either, but life or death, I'd try with oxy.
An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
-
Re: Plasma, I forgot, What does it do?
Originally Posted by
Lis2323
Couple of old guys looking for the solution to a problem that doesn't exist to 99% of the welding population. LOL.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Too true.
-
Re: Plasma, I forgot, What does it do?
Plasma takes some practice. Guides definitely help the results. I have a homemade circle cutter that work down to about 2” diameter. I have used washers both id and od to cut circles. I think letting the drag shield rest on the material takes some getting used to. If you try to hold it off the work piece things get ugly fast
Millermatic 252
millermatic 175
miller 300 Thunderbolt
lincoln ranger 250
smith torches
lots of bfh's
If it dont fit get a bigger hammer
-
Post Thanks / Like - 1 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Re: Plasma, I forgot, What does it do?
Originally Posted by
farmshop
Plasma takes some practice. Guides definitely help the results. I have a homemade circle cutter that work down to about 2” diameter. I have used washers both id and od to cut circles. I think letting the drag shield rest on the material takes some getting used to. If you try to hold it off the work piece things get ugly fast
Agreed. For freehand plasma cutting its hard to beat using a drag tip and a stencil or guide.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
:
-
Post Thanks / Like - 1 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Re: Plasma, I forgot, What does it do?
Originally Posted by
12V71
Good point, I would love to see a plasma torch that mimics the balance of an O/A torch with a 90 degree head and a length that matches the average size and maybe even an uncomplicated top mount switch.... Might make it easier for us old dogs to adapt.
That is what I absolutely hate about my plasma.............................the ridiculous short length. A long O/A torch adds stability, and helps to make straight cuts freehand. I'm not a guy that can cut anything without resting my left hand on the plate, and using it to steady the torch. Some guys can, but I never could. I'll do it in a pinch, but I'm never satisfied with the results.
-
Post Thanks / Like - 1 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Re: Plasma, I forgot, What does it do?
Originally Posted by
Willie B
Nope.
5 HP compressor (Ingersoll Rand) 80 Gal tank, It was set over 100 PSIG. I'm not sure what the problem was, but air pressure wasn't it.
Most plasmas like to run around 60psi in my experience
Murphy's Golden Rule: Whoever has the gold, makes the rules.
-
Re: Plasma, I forgot, What does it do?
Hmmm.... I'm assuming that's the line pressure coming in and he would have another regulator set lower at the plasma. With my cheapy Chinese plasma I've been holding the pressure down to 90 lbs incoming and setting it around 65.
250 amp Miller DialArc AC/DC Stick
F-225 amp Forney AC Stick
230 amp Sears AC Stick
Lincoln 180C MIG
Vevor MIG 200A
Victor Medalist 350 O/A
Amico APC-70 Plasma
Vevor Cut 50 Plasma
Les
-
Re: Plasma, I forgot, What does it do?
Originally Posted by
farmersammm
That is what I absolutely hate about my plasma.............................the ridiculous short length. A long O/A torch adds stability, and helps to make straight cuts freehand. I'm not a guy that can cut anything without resting my left hand on the plate, and using it to steady the torch. Some guys can, but I never could. I'll do it in a pinch, but I'm never satisfied with the results.
90 degree torch, and long handle is pretty worthless for anything other then bench work.
Blue Demon 140 MSI
Blue Demon 200 AC/DC
Esab 160i caddy
Esab CV353
INE 1500
Lincoln 250 Idealarc
Thermal LM-200
Thermal 60i- 3phase
Thermal 15c
Topshak 40 plasma
Miller Regency 200/LN-72
Viking 250 mig/2410 feeder
Weldcote 140