Are Plasma Cutters "Finicky"?

[Runner]

Hi all.

I have a question for those of you who have plasma cutters. I am thinking of buying a Hypertherm Powermax 45, but have never used a plasma before.

I'd like to use it for cutting up scrap metal, cutting previously welded joints, rusty, painted metal, and such. However, from what I've seen, they seem to be kind of finicky to use, i.e., everything has to be clean and just right for them to work properly.

I guess my question is, can you use a plasma to cut up scrap metal as well as clean new steel, or would a torch setup be better?

I don't want to waste money on something that won't work for me.

I appreciate any input from the group.

 

[6sunset6]

I was thinking of doing the same thing and spoke to a friend who has a big one. He said the consumables are expensive, something about nozzle, and it worked better on thin material than thick. He indicated a gas torch was better for heavy junk. So I never got one. I think they need really dry air also.
Lets see what everyone else says.

 

[davygp38]

I have an Everlast power arc 50. I use it for cutting up some scrap. I am not crawling around under a semi trailer cutting cross members, but I get old bicycles, and work out machines from time to time that I use in projects. As far as a plasma having to be kept clean, I think as long as you have dry air, your OK. Yes the ceramic cups on the torch are consumable, but so what save a beat up one for the scrap work, and keep a new one for precise cutting. I'll tell you this much, once you try a plasma, you will wonder why you didn't get one sooner.:thumbsup: as far as cutting through rust, just make shure you have the power arc feature. My everlast can cut through a 1/2 inch rusty tie plate no problem.

 

[framer]

As mentioned is expensive to operating .I use my hypertherm when i would like
less extortion in the metal won't get nearly as hot. Not as portable.It will go
threw some tips if you use the stand off will get some blow back if everything
is not set correctly and speed is important. So i would say yes on finicky.
If had to choose one only it would be the gas torch.

 

[hilld]

Let me chime in, I recently picked up a HT 45 a couple of months ago. I have cut up all sorts of stuff, including rusty and painted materials and the HT has cut through them like butter, assuming you have the amps and air pressure in the correct settings. My air is dry so I don't know what happens when if there is moisture, but since I knew that going into it, I made sure the air was dry.

As far as the cost of consumables, not cheap, but not expensive either. I know that Jim Colt from HT has done comparison (I have read them somewhere) and the cost to operate a HT45 is lower than using a torch if you consider the cost of the Oxy and Acetylene that you have to use. Of course, a new person can probably use more consumables than somebody experienced, but this has been my experience.

Derek

 

[Shield Arc]

Personally I don't think they're finicky at all. I have a Hypertherm 1250, I have cut up to 1-inch plate with it. Far as speed it is nip and tuck with oxygen acetylene. Problem with a plasma with thick material is the bevel cut, you have to throw a little angle on the torch to get a 90-degree cut on the plate you want. If the material will conduct electricity so you can get an arc started you're off and running, sometimes you have to go back and forth to burn paint, rust, crap off in front of your cut, but it is amazing what junk they will cut. The scarfing option on my plasma is amazing too, I'd rather use it than an air carbon arc torch. Only advantage an air carbon arc torch has over plasma is sometimes you can't get the plasma torch into certain spots, where with a carbon arc rod, if you have the amps, and air pressure you can use a long stick out to reach into tight spots.

I do believe you have to do a lot of cutting to justify the upfront cost of a plasma tho!

 

[tglass]

a new person can probably use more consumables than somebody experienced as with an oxy. torch. serveral tips and burnbacks back to the torch can be costly. both have a place. I'm sure I will use the plasma more than the torch, but at times one can not do the job the other can with such ease. consumables are a needed on either one. something you have to accept like the always rising of fuel.

 

[jdonovan]

I guess my question is, can you use a plasma to cut up scrap metal as well as clean new steel, or would a torch setup be better?

I don't want to waste money on something that won't work for me.

I saved more in fuel gas/oxy the first year I had my plasma vs the old torch setup.

Tips/electrodes last a good time for me and my uses, and I've never run across ANY metal that gave me a problem as long as it was conductive.

It takes a bit of time to get a nice fine cut such that its immediately ready to weld w/o much dressing, but that comes with practice.

 

[RPW]

Finicky, no, as long as your air supply is dry,dry,dry. My consumables are not really expensive and I've used mine to cut a wide variety of metal. As stated I wouldn't be trying to cut old automobile frames but I have cut weld joints etc.

Good luck.

 

[kennyd]

Every body complains "the consumables are expensive"...I guess they have not had their tanks filled lately:laughing:

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

I'd rather take the 3-5 dollar hit a little at a time than one big wallop all at once.

 

[jimcolt]

I use my Powermax30 with the hand torch often.....I have owned it for about 4 years, and I have used two electrodes (less than $5 each) and 4 nozzles (about $4 each).


My Powermax45 is mounted on my cnc machine in my home shop.....I typically change the nozzle only....after cutting 400 or 500 parts out of steel up to 1/2" thick. The electrode usually lasts about twice as long.

The Hypertherm consumables are a bit more expensive to buy as compared to other brands, but last many times longer.......so if you figure out cost per foot of cut...you will find the Hypertherm consumables are less expensive than other plasmas......and far less expensive per foot as compared to oxy-fuel.

As far as "finicky".....there are some older technology plasma's that have issues on dirty rusty materials.......or have to be used with a standoff. The Powermax45 can be used for drag cutting up to its maximum thickness (1-1/4") without any affect on consumable life. It will blow through rusty, dirty material....and is safe and easy to use. Can't get much easier! And, its made in the USA!

Jim

 

[Runner]

"Every body complains "the consumables are expensive"...I guess they have not had their tanks filled lately"

I have a torch setup (regulator, torch and hoses) that I inherited from my Dad, but have never bought tanks to go with it. So, I could go either way, but I am aware that buying and filling the tanks isn't cheap.

Also, a plasma would just take up a lot less space in the shop. So, in my mind, I believe it would be worth it to me in the long run to make the investment in a plasma, as long as it will do what I need.

Thanks for all your input.

 

[Dargo]

As mentioned is expensive to operating .I use my hypertherm when i would like
less extortion in the metal won't get nearly as hot. Not as portable.It will go
threw some tips if you use the stand off will get some blow back if everything
is not set correctly and speed is important. So i would say yes on finicky.
If had to choose one only it would be the gas torch.

Wow, after using a Hypertherm 1250 for the last 3 or 4 years, I'd say the complete opposite. Other than using it for heating metal, I've never used my O/A or O/P torches for anything since I've had my Hypertherm. I cut all sorts of metal, from thin to several dozen train rail tracks with my plasma cutter. My only real consumable is the filter in my dryer for air supply. I've get 40 to 50 hours out of a stand off tip no problem. I could probably get more if I didn't cut rusty stuff.

At least with my Hypertherm; finicky, not even a little bit.

 

[6sunset6]

How do you guys dry your air?

 

[jdonovan]

How do you guys dry your air?

devilbiss dad-500

 

[Shield Arc]

How do you guys dry your air?

Fill the garbage can with tap water, add ice on really hot days.

 

[db556]

WOW! you do a lot to dry your air!

I dont even do that much for my cnc table I usually just use the mini drier on the back of the CUT40.

As for plasma cutters being finicky, I've cut apart a entire school bus before (of it was the short bus ) and they only times I've had a problem is if I dont have a good ground, the CUT40 uses HF which need a good spark to start. I believe the hypertherms use a pilot arc so it will with the right tip cut through use about anything, paint, rust, or dirt.

Now for a American made machine it will have more expensive consumables my cut40 had a clone of a ESAB PT-31 torch which uses cheap (well on ebay) consumables but they dont last that long, Though I've been thinking of putting a trafiment S45 pilot torch on my so I can just buy the consumables at harbor freight since their cutter uses the same torch.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Has anyone done a full scale analysis of cost difference between OA and Plasma. Considering not only the cost of consumables but also the difference in cost of the machine, electricity to run the plasma rig and separate air compressor (if you have separate units). This could be on a per foot of cut basis. Personally I like the portability of the OA rig and the multipurpose usefullness of it rather than just cutting metal.

 

[Shield Arc]

WOW! you do a lot to dry your air!

I dont even do that much for my cnc table I usually just use the mini drier on the back of the CUT40.

Did you not see the CNC table in the first picture?