plasma cutter

[dullbird]

Never used one but would like to get one as I know they can make jobs significantly more easy when you can cut stuff out.


what would I need to be looking for.. if we got one would only be occasional use I'm expecting so dont need a professional unit but still would like something mid range that could handle a big job should the need arise:)

[Scouse]

Are you looking for some new 'best friends' Lou?
:D:D

[dullbird]

Are you looking for some new 'best friends' Lou?
:D:D


:( i don't understand your cryptic message

[Scouse]

If you get a plasma cutter, everyone will want to use it.

Hence, everyone will suddenly be your best friend :mad:.

[dullbird]

If you get a plasma cutter, everyone will want to use it.

Hence, everyone will suddenly be your best friend :mad:.

oh I see......

Well looking at them they don't seem that expensive to me that's why I'm asking becasue I could just be looking at the bottom end POS ones...

Oh scott a very lovely man is going to fix my rust...we still on for the roof:).

I have noticed I have two areas of rust now:(...it has taken me so long to find someone to do it

[Slunnie]

Plasma cutters are excellent, we use them all of the time at work. Don't forget to check if you can actually power them. I'm not sure if they come in 240v 10amp. If you need 15amp then it has to be a seperate circuit in the house. On top of this, you'll also need to buy and power an air compressor.

Keep in mind that these operate at about 30,000 degrees and will cut anything that conducts electricity, including your fingers and anything that the compressed air hits from the cutter will also get burnt - be very careful of this, especially with RHS where it will come out from the ends.

Oh, we run an ESAB which has been a really good unit. It's also a bit on the exy side.

[dullbird]

Plasma cutters are excellent, we use them all of the time at work. Don't forget to check if you can actually power them. I'm not sure if they come in 240v 10amp. If you need 15amp then it has to be a seperate circuit in the house. On top of this, you'll also need to buy and power an air compressor.

Keep in mind that these operate at about 30,000 degrees and will cut anything that conducts electricity, including your fingers and anything that the compressed air hits from the cutter will also get burnt - be very careful of this, especially with RHS where it will come out from the ends.

Oh, we run an ESAB which has been a really good unit. It's also a bit on the exy side.

we have an air compressor.... and I'm sure the welder also needs the 15amp thing so not sure what Ian did in the other house for that...but I guess he will sort it out some how.

[Scouse]

we still on for the roof:).

Just let me know when the rust is done then we can paint the roof.

[dullbird]

what brands do I look out for?

It doesn't have to be a new unit so knowing what to look out for will help

[PAT303]

The trouble is to get a plasma cutter set-up that is user friendly and workable it would cost far more than what it would cost to get it done by a shop,If you want to repair rust just get a die grinder and cut-off wheel attachment and hook up to your compressor.Plasma cutters are more for profile cutting,not for rust repair. Pat

[dullbird]

The trouble is to get a plasma cutter set-up that is user friendly and workable it would cost far more than what it would cost to get it done by a shop,If you want to repair rust just get a die grinder and cut-off wheel attachment and hook up to your compressor.Plasma cutters are more for profile cutting,not for rust repair. Pat


well pat you seem to have made a big assumption there that this is what I want it for where did I say I was repairing rust:confused:....

I'm looking at it for projects later on down the line.

and no nothing is more cost effective than having your own unit when your planning it for more than one project I don't think...Shops are not cheap or reliable I have found that out several times trying to get my alpine window rust sorted

[twitchy]

Try this on for size......... I bought a 3 in 1 unit MMA/ Plasma cutter/ TIG welder and love it. Chinese jobby from Ebay for $650 I think?? Not one problem, works like a charm.

PM me if you want the link, (not sure if I am supposed to post links like that) :angel:

[Blknight.aus]

just be wary of the air supply requirement for them... they do need a serious air compressor for decent cutting at decent sizes.

[dullbird]

like what

[PAT303]

Dullbird,your first post said you wanted to cut stuff out and the next ones mentioned rust repair so putting two and two together,they can be used for repairing your car but it's not what they are really made for,machinery in general can be quite cheap,it's the extra's like tooling that costs money,your compressor won't be big enough,you need serious air volumn. Pat

[dullbird]

Dullbird,your first post said you wanted to cut stuff out and the next ones mentioned rust repair so putting two and two together,they can be used for repairing your car but it's not what they are really made for,machinery in general can be quite cheap,it's the extra's like tooling that costs money,your compressor won't be big enough,you need serious air volumn. Pat

Ok I will try again WHERE HAVE I WRITTEN THAT I'M GOING TO BE REPAIR RUST


you will note that I said to scott that I have found someone to repair the rust.....I didn't say I want to buy a plasma cutter to repair rust did I????

and again you are assuming I dont have a compressor big enough HOW DO YOU KNOW!!!!

maybe I dont, but stop making bloody assumption:mad:...and if your not going to give a helpful post in respect to the first intial question then please save your breath and dont bloody bother.

I will make the decision whether or not I can afford to go down this route not you mate

jesus......sometimes getting straight answers off this site can be so bloody hard

[twitchy]

15-18cfm should be plenty to run it....

[PAT303]

Dullbird I assumed thats what you were talking about as they are used for rust repair,I KNOW you don't have a compressor big enough because I don't know a single person that has a 30cfm compressor at home,it will cost you three times what the plasma cutter will cost.Lastly where are you going to use it?,I hope you have good neighbours because they aren't quiet. Pat

[PAT303]

15-18cfm should be plenty to run it....
Thats borderline for spray painting,for a P/cutting it'll run flat out and you'll have to wait for it. Pat

[twitchy]

Thats borderline for spray painting,for a P/cutting it'll run flat out and you'll have to wait for it. Pat

Damn you guys must use bloody huge spray guns...:D

[dullbird]

Dullbird I assumed thats what you were talking about as they are used for rust repair,I KNOW you don't have a compressor big enough because I don't know a single person that has a 30cfm compressor at home,it will cost you three times what the plasma cutter will cost.Lastly where are you going to use it?,I hope you have good neighbours because they aren't quiet. Pat

my neighbour is a chicken farmer...but I guess your assuming I live in suburbia.

your still making assumptions Pat as to what I want, what I have and what I can afford so why dont you just quite while your ahead....

[dullbird]

Damn you guys must use bloody huge spray guns...:D

Twitchy have you cut anything with your plasma cutter??

[twitchy]

Twitchy have you cut anything with your plasma cutter??

I need to upgrade my compressor to at least 15CFm but even with my ****ty Supercrap compressor it cut the floor panels out of my Sierra (even through the double & reinforcing chanels), probably only 4mm max so far but will cut 10mm max.

Oh I did have to wait a few times......:D

[dullbird]

I need to upgrade my compressor to at least 15CFm but even with my ****ty Supercrap compressor it cut the floor panels out of my Sierra (even through the double & reinforcing chanels), probably only 4mm max so far but will cut 10mm max.


Oh I did have to wait a few times......:D

did you find this a bit of an issue?

[twitchy]

did you find this a bit of an issue?

Pain in the arse to be truthful, hence I am saving for a decent sized compressor!!!:BigThumb:

[dullbird]

Pain in the arse to be truthful, hence I am saving for a decent sized compressor!!!:BigThumb:

but your only buying a compressor that will power a spray gun......

So now what you going to do:D

[twitchy]

but your only buying a compressor that will power a spray gun......

So now what you going to do:D


:Rolling::Rolling: Probably grab another beer between tanks of air.:p

[dullbird]

depending on what you want to spend twitchy I have seen compressors around that do 30 and over for less than 2 grand.....

they are probably not brands to shout about but they are out there....

[Blknight.aus]

the one at work sucks back over 30cfm.

the biggest 10A compressor IVe seen IRL is about 8CFM 15 Amps generally gets you into 13-14CFM.

charge a big enough tank and you can do a decent cut but then your waiting on the tank to recharge. a small tank will make a smaller cut but charge up faster.

you're likely to be looking at a decent 3 phase or engine driven compressor to run a plasma for big jobs.

[dullbird]

the one at work sucks back over 30cfm.


the biggest 10A compressor IVe seen IRL is about 8CFM 15 Amps generally gets you into 13-14CFM.
charge a big enough tank and you can do a decent cut but then your waiting on the tank to recharge. a small tank will make a smaller cut but charge up faster.

you're likely to be looking at a decent 3 phase or
engine driven compressor to run a plasma for big jobs.

these are 3 phase

Air compressor. Boss 47 CFM/ 10 HP industrial workshop - eBay Compressors, Air Tools, Tools, Home. (end time 23-Jan-10 18:08:13 AEDST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Air-compressor-Boss-47-CFM-10-HP-industrial-workshop_W0QQitemZ110480815650QQcmdZViewItemQQptZA U_Air_Tools?hash=item19b92b7622)


http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Air-Compressor-Electric-Hitachi-3-phase-Approx-48cfm_W0QQitemZ120518255218QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_A ir_Tools?hash=item1c0f72a272

I don't know the output pf these units but some of them look bloody beefy with the bottoms that can take forklifts

http://www.graysonline.com/Search.aspx?q=air+compressor

but I was thinking about a driven one.......

I know 3 phase is expensive to put in does anyonew know a rough cost

[Slunnie]

Do you think this guy has done a typo?


Air compressor. Boss 47 CFM/ 10 HP industrial workshop - eBay Compressors, Air Tools, Tools, Home. (end time 23-Jan-10 18:08:13 AEDST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Air-compressor-Boss-47-CFM-10-HP-industrial-workshop_W0QQitemZ110480815650QQcmdZViewItemQQptZA U_Air_Tools?hash=item19b92b7622)



Thats similar to what we run ours off, and everything else in the workshops. Those units have got some good air.

[dullbird]

here you are twitchy buy this........:lol2:

COMPAIR CD100A DIESEL AIR COMPRESSOR 100CFM ON TRAILER - eBay, Machinery, Construction, Business, Industrial. (end time 22-Jan-10 21:35:20 AEDST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/COMPAIR-CD100A-DIESEL-AIR-COMPRESSOR-100CFM-ON-TRAILER_W0QQitemZ330394651843QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU _Business_Industrial_Construction_Industrial_Equip ment?hash=item4ced0e4cc3)

then you can run your plasma cutter while your spraying the car and drying your hair:D

[crump]

Lou, if your only going to be doing rust repair it might be better and a lot cheaper to do a course in panel beating!!:angel::angel::wasntme:

[dullbird]

PLEASE BE ADVISED EVERYONE READING THIS THREAD THAT I HAVE NO INTENTION ON DOING RUST REPAIR JUST SO THERE IS NO CONFUSION.......



and I'm hoping crump was just pulling my leg :D....:eek::D


Don't make me write a poem about you crump:p

[Bundalene]

A plasma cutter is an excellent piece of workshop equipment if you do a lot of fabrication or scrap metal cutting - much cheaper than an Oxy set to run. As mentioned earlier, do your homework with the air supply and also be aware that tips don't last forever - we change ours regularly, but use the plasma heaps - see what they are worth - price and availability.

We have a small 15 amp Lincoln which cuts to about 10mm - easily cuts up Land Rover chassis and have used this to death. It is excellent for stainless steel. For serious work we use a Lincoln Invertec PC 65 - but then guess who used to work at Lincoln. Tips for the PC65 are about $9 per pair

Erich

[twitchy]

one of these would do me........... Hyundai 17 CFM Belt Air Compressor 50L Tank. price | Transquip Direct Tools - Compare Prices & Save shopping in Australia (http://www.getprice.com.au/Hyundai-17-CFM-Belt-Air-Compressor-50L-Tank-Gpnc_500--41209807.htm)

[dullbird]

or something like this for an extra 500

AIR COMPRESSOR 5.5HP PETROL 20 CFM HONDA COMPRESSOR 70L - eBay Air Tools, Tools, Car Parts, Accessories, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 13-Feb-10 19:24:31 AEDST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/AIR-COMPRESSOR-5-5HP-PETROL-20-CFM-HONDA-COMPRESSOR-70L_W0QQitemZ170303895140QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Car _Parts_Accessories?hash=item27a6e73664)


and if your feeling really flush something like this for 2 ...I would like this one
AIR COMPRESSOR -11 HP DIESEL-42 CFM - 150Lt TANK (NEW) - eBay, Machinery, Construction, Business, Industrial. (end time 22-Jan-10 08:20:38 AEDST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/AIR-COMPRESSOR-11-HP-DIESEL-42-CFM-150Lt-TANK-NEW_W0QQitemZ260536537575QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Bus iness_Industrial_Construction_Industrial_Equipment ?hash=item3ca93011e7)

[LandyAndy]

We have a compressor very similar to that Honda powered unit at work Lou,but 100l tank.
VERY FAST recovery rate compared to electric.That reasonably priced too.
Bit noisy to work next too,nothing a longer hose wont fix.
Andrew

[twitchy]

hmmm, 1 wage, 3kids, missus & a V8 landy..... not much money left. :(

This is my 3 in 1 Allmax Magnum Tig Arc Plasma Cutter 160 amp 3-1 Welder - eBay Other Welding Equipment, Welding Equipment, Metalworking, Woodworking, Business, Industrial. (end time 21-Jan-10 20:33:37 AEDST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Allmax-Magnum-Tig-Arc-Plasma-Cutter-160-amp-3-1-Welder_W0QQitemZ180456391547QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_ BnI_Woodworking_Metalworking?hash=item2a040a037b)