Maybe this has been asked already asked but what's the pros and cons of the plasma cutter vs regular torch ?
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Maybe this has been asked already asked but what's the pros and cons of the plasma cutter vs regular torch ?
With a plasma cutter you can cut stainless, copper and aluminum. When cutting compressors you don't get oil fires like you get with a torch.
Been wondering about this myself.
plasma cutters will cut just about anything fast and easy. Makes a clean cut but will need to be careful as the cut can be very smooth (sharp) unlike a torch that will have the edges "burnt".
plasma cutter take a good bit of power to run so its not something you can just toss into the back of a pick up and run with it unlike the torch where it needs no power...just the two gases and a lighter.
The plasma cutter wont heat the metal as hot as a torch will so the risk of a fire is much lower
Thats all I think of on the top of my head.
What are the consumables like for a plasma? I assume the tips must get used up.
The one I used back when I worked at a power plant (pipe fitter) we had to replace the tip and it was hooked up to a air compressor. The tip does not wear out fast or anything but will get buggered when starting the ark when touching the metal if you hold it there to long or do it wrong.
The only consumables that I go through on my plasma torch is the electrode and cup. A 5 pack of each runs about 40 bucks total and lasts about 4 to 6 months. I use it about 10 hours a week so I think it is pretty cheap to run.
any cheaper to run ? Can it be run off a generator ?
Love mine, does not really explain much. I use my 70 amp for gouging and beveling joints to be welded.
This short video says it all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ik4qJDkFyPw
Tater, my 5000w generator will run my air compressor and plasma cutter at the same time.
By the time you buy the generator and air compressor, and burn the fuel, don't think there's much benefit to a mobile setup like mine. Not to mention itd take the entire bed of my pick up
Tater u just described the old welding shop rigs i grew up on lol
Plasma in a shoe box, 110 volt operation with built in compressor what more could you ask for.
http://www.amazon.com/PLASMA-CUTTING.../dp/B003DPXB4G
gustavas is back!!!!
I guess you could say he came out of the closet, lolQuote:
Originally Posted by PistoneScrapProcessing
No offense Gus,,,
Pretty sweet setup, but you read the reviews ? And needs to cut deeper than 1/4, otherwise I'd be ordering one right now
Joe could you tell us what size plamsa cutter you are using?Quote:
Originally Posted by freonjoe
Thanks
Rusty, I'm using a Hypertherm 30. Cuts up to 1/2 inch with no problem and has almost 100% duty cycle on 220v.
Thanks for the quick reply Joe.
Got a chuckle, no offence taken.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mechanic688
torch for sure..i try to use it only when i have too ..gas is expensive .then again so are sawsaw blades..do alot of my best work with 5 pound beater:)
Well explained. I would definitely go for a plasma cutter over a torch.Quote:
Originally Posted by easyrecycle
Guys, you are leaving out the versatility of a cutting torch. You can't heat up nuts and bolts in an attempt to loosen them with a plasma cutter. Both pieces of equipment have their place, but for versatility, I prefer an oxyacetylene torch. Plus, you can use the same rig for welding AND cutting. You can't make light welds with a plasma cutter. The torch's big disadvantage is the requirement for a fuel gas and oxygen. With a plasma cutter, you cut out the fuel gas - although, you still need a gas such as argon.
Miller - The Great Debate: Plasma Cutter or Oxyfuel Torch?
"For example, given a 2-in.-thick chunk of metal requiring a 4-in.-long cut, a 120-A plasma arc machine would take roughly 1 minute to complete the cut, while an oxyfuel torch could make that same cut in 15 to 20 seconds." - Miller Welding
This website has a table that lists the pros and cons of each and is from what I consider a very reputable source.
OOH OOH OOH! If only I had 700 unneeded dollars right now! Thanks!Quote:
Originally Posted by gustavus
I started using a plasma cutter with 125A a couple of days ago the nozzles lifetime is two-three hour nowQuote:
Originally Posted by devo
Quote:
Originally Posted by SladeMcCuiston
With the plasma cutter once you ;earn how to use the gouging function your life is forever changed. I can blow a nut off any bolt and leave the threads untouched.
What thickness metal are you cutting.Quote:
Originally Posted by Joethai
Hi thanks some half an inch to three quarter of an inch and some one inch
To get more milage from your consumable cut down on the amperage when cutting that lighter metal. That 125 amp plasma must be one heck of a machine, the farm just bought a new Hypertherm 85 amp and I love it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Joethai
Don't 'strike' it in mid air, and watch out for blowback into the tip, that made the tip last all day for me, once, when I really needed it to.
Thanks yeah it is it aint cutting through well when its more than an inch thick = not true I saw now on a product video that the recomended and the cutting capacity for 125A is one and a half inch your right I wonder how it cuts one inch when I cut down on the amperageQuote:
Originally Posted by alloy2
ThanksQuote:
Originally Posted by eesakiwi
For scrap metal art, I will use a plasma cutter for the clean cuts. For scrapping I prefer a torch with propane because a lot of times I am miles from the closest electricity. I could haul my Miller welder/generator with me, but that is a pain. On large jobs I will purchase liquid oxygen which is roughly 17 K tanks and costs less than 1/5 what K tanks cost to refill. The problem with liquid oxygen is that is that it will bleed off, so you need to dedicate yourself to the torch after the purchase. I have four K tanks and use a modification on my large propane tank (used to heat the home) to fill my 100 lb. bottles. This allows a discount on propane because it costs less to fill the large tank than the 100 lb. bottles.
I also use a gasoline torch for large metal. If you are interested in this system search Petrogen Torches out of Colorado Springs. They are used by the military, NATO, search and rescue, and fire departments. They also are popular in the Russian and Chinese oil fields. There is more detailed information on a thread called "A Scrappers Dream -Torches".
After watching this video I'm of the opinion the pre heat takes much to long before cutting begins. Tells me this petrogen torch uses a lot of oxygen.
https://youtu.be/w00FzhU8PVE
A clarification: the title indicates oxygen/propane torch. This is not what a Petrogen Torch looks like. Although the sound of the torch is correct, the flame is not ultimate. Why would he start by heating the entire area, a waste of time. As you cut, the metal is the fuel and will continue to heat the metal as you cut. Another technique is to continue in the same direction, not switch sides part way through the cut. I have a demonstration on "Scrappers Dream Cutting Torches" using a Petrogen Torch cutting a railroad rail in half the time.Quote:
Originally Posted by alloy2
Based on experimentation, the Petrogen Torch does not use anymore oxygen than a regular torch. In addition they can use gasoline, diesel, and many other fuels without modification. No I am not associated with them at all, but I supervised taking down a power plant using them.
Even If you don't have the set up Patriot uses Oxy Propane is the way to go for scrap cutting. a 20lbs propane tank costs way less than Acetylene and lasts almost as long as the big Acetylene cylinders we had in the weld shop. I cut up two semi trailers and a chevy s10 with oxy propane and still haven't had to refill the 20lbs tank I'm using. I just got a plasma too and it does seem to cut thin steel way faster and neater than the torch but does seem like start up costs are way more to cut thicker stuff (>1") than what the torch costs. it seems to me like if your cutting a lot over and over again in the same area then plasma is the way to go. If your cutting really random stuff in really random places the torch would work best. Although plasma is also really portable as well. I got a 6.8kW generator that runs both the plasma and compressor and It could go anywehre if I needed it, the torch can blow through metal at really weird angles (like inside the frame of a crashed and bent up truck frame) if needed where as angling the plasma seems to just make it gouge. You can also bend/weld steel with a torch if you know what your doing. Each has their uses it seems.
When your cutting large double clad truck frames woth shale rust between the frame rails, Plasma beats a gas torch hand down.Quote:
Originally Posted by ScrapmanIndustries