Plasma Cutter

[Non-farmer]

I'm interested in a light-duty one, but was at first unaware they needed an air compressor as a partner. I'm only looking for something that will cut up to a quarter inch. How many CFM do I need for a cutter to do that kind of work?

 

[Jim.ME]

I'm interested in a light-duty one, but was at first unaware they needed an air compressor as a partner. I'm only looking for something that will cut up to a quarter inch. How many CFM do I need for a cutter to do that kind of work?

Look at the specs for any you are considering, and they will tell you what they recommend. It should be dry air so consider using at least a water separating filter in the air line.

 

[Non-farmer]

Look at the specs for any you are considering, and they will tell you what they recommend. It should be dry air so consider using at least a water separating filter in the air line.

I don't know enough about them to be considering any particular one yet. I am asking about the CFM because I'm not really enthralled with the purchase if it turns out I need to buy a bigger compressor too. Thank you for the water separator info. I was unaware of that as well.

 

[Jim.ME]

I don't know enough about them to be considering any particular one yet. I am asking about the CFM because I'm not really enthralled with the purchase if it turns out I need to buy a bigger compressor too. Thank you for the water separator info. I was unaware of that as well.

What is the rating of your compressor? Thickness makes some difference on the air needed. For rough figuring, plan on being able to hold a steady 5-7CFM at 60 psi at the cutter.

 

[Non-farmer]

I will have to check it. all i have is a 5(?) gallon pancake. I actually have 2, one in the house and one in the machine shed. too bad I can't rig them in series.

 

[wh]

I will have to check it. all i have is a 5(?) gallon pancake. I actually have 2, one in the house and one in the machine shed. too bad I can't rig them in series.

Think you will be short on air. They use it fast. Depending on how much you use it, you can use bottle nitrogen. Might get expensive tho.

 

[Non-farmer]

Think you will be short on air. They use it fast.

I was afraid of that

I may have to consider a full-sized compressor after all. I really didn't want to go that route, as i've never done anything here before that needed one.

 

[joeysmith]

I'm interested in a light-duty one, but was at first unaware they needed an air compressor as a partner. I'm only looking for something that will cut up to a quarter inch. How many CFM do I need for a cutter to do that kind of work?

For what use an how often?

 

[wore out]

I will have to check it. all i have is a 5(?) gallon pancake. I actually have 2, one in the house and one in the machine shed. too bad I can't rig them in series.

"too bad I can't rig them in series"

You CAN run them in PARALLEL for more flow IF the pressure ratings are about the same.

 

[Non-farmer]

For what use an how often?

Not often. I have some mild plate steel to cut, and I want to cut up a couple of fuel oil tanks. They can be turned into excellent skids to drag stuff around on.

 

[Non-farmer]

"too bad I can't rig them in series"

You CAN run them in PARALLEL for more flow IF the pressure ratings are about the same.

What would I need to rig that?

 

[urbancase]

I have a solar brand same company make battery chargers, got it in the mid 90’s and only use for body work and a few small things. .250 is pushing its max but it has a built in compressor. I don’t use it much but is handy once in awhile. I like to get a big one but I can get by for the thickness cutting I do with a torch.

 

[Keith True]

Plasma cutters do NOT like rust,scale,dirt,paint and grease.I have a pretty big Esab,and won't try to use it on new steel if it has any surface rust on it.I always grind a path through the rust first.

 

[wore out]

What would I need to rig that?

A pipe tee.

 

[Non-farmer]

A pipe tee.

Lol. Duh me.

 

[JWA]

For your limited use, I would consider cut off wheels for a grinder they are cheap compared to purchasing a plasma cutter. I use them often in place of dragging out the cutting torch or plasma cutter, quicker and cheaper. IMHO.

 

[Mule Meat]

Best two pieces of advice I ever got concerning plasma cutters.

Get one with a built in compressor and able to cut material thicker than you plan on using it for.

 

[wp6529]

I've not looked closely lately, but from what I've seen previously plasma cutters with built-in compressors are intended for sheet metal like duct work and limited to around 1/8" max. Plasma cutters that can handle anything qualifying as "plate" are fairly big and heavy by themselves and need a substantial compressor to keep up with them.

I have a Hypertherm Powermax 1000 and it requires something akin to a "5hp" 60gal compressor to keep up with it in heavy use. I do run it with a "lugable" Makita compressor that is rated 2.5HP / 4.2 SCFM and I can get around 30 seconds of cut time before it exhausts the compressor and I have to wait for it to catch up. 30 Seconds is a decent amount of time for manual plasma cutting on the odd project so it is often sufficient.

Also note that plasma cutters often have a dual rating such as 3/4" cut and 1" sever, where the sever rating will be a ragged cut but it will get it done while the cut rating will give a clean cut.

And the advice on the grinder with cutoff wheels is very good. I was just doing a moderate bit of fabricating with 3/16" - 1/2" steel and I used a porta band for much of the cutting and a cordless grinder with a cutoff wheel for the rest despite the plasma cutter being within reach.

 

[Dusty MI]

I do the same, but also have an electric sheet-metal shears.