First cut.

[Big Wave D]

dynasim,

Thanks for the links.

 

[Big Wave D]

I have small hobby sized portable O/A torch set. It does fine for heating, but they just don't last for cutting because of their small size.

I am trying to determine if I want to scale up on the O/A or go with a plasma cutter.

I have tried welding with O/A and am not very good at it, so it doesn't expand its possible uses to me that way. Also, with this post about propane, it seems that I could use what I have for regulators and hose, just up-size my oxygen tank for longer lasting sessions.

If propane tips are so cheap to acquire, that option is looking more tempting all the time.

 

[Shield Arc]

Maybe someone can do the math to see how many miles you'd have to cut with a plasma to pay for one. I think I paid around $3,000.00 for my Hypertherm 1250! As much as I cut, just guessing here I'd have to live 4 or 500-years.:laughing:


If you cut as much as I do, I'd say get a larger oxygen bottle, and go with propane.

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[dynasim]

Shield Arc,

How much did your torch setup cost, including bottles. I have an all-in 3 year price(including bottle lease, but without gas) of 500-600$ if I use acetylene. The price, along with the pain of storing bottles, was the reason I chose a plasma.

My 50 amp Everlast plasma was significantly less than your quoted price, and a hypertherm 30(good to 1/2") is ~1100$.

In spite of the cost, I am thinking of getting a oxy/propane torch system. I'd like to be able to form/heat treat some items, and can't.

Chris

 

[Shield Arc]

Chris, I wish you hadn't ask that! I got the Victor Journeyman set in the early to mid 1980s, and I bought the bottles, 150 acetylene, and 250 oxygen about 10-years ago. I can't even throw you a guesstimate on any of it. :confused3:

 

[dynasim]

Not a big deal. Others have said that my price is high, and I wanted some confirmation. Thanks for all your advice.

Chris

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Not a big deal. Others have said that my price is high, and I wanted some confirmation. Thanks for all your advice.

Chris

Don't cry. I paid $150 for my victor brand rig including half full bottles. It was used, and I've been VERY happy with it. I own the tanks now, so there's no lease.

Maybe someone can do the math to see how many miles you'd have to cut with a plasma to pay for one. I think I paid around $3,000.00 for my Hypertherm 1250! As much as I cut, just guessing here I'd have to live 4 or 500-years.:laughing:

Using Hypertherm's numbers including labor the cost difference is $0.25/ft. That's a cost savings of $1,320 per mile. After 2.27 miles of cutting you'll have made your money back.

Add to that the cost of the Acetylene rig and the savings happens after 1.89 miles.

If I remove labor cost from the equation the difference drops to almost $0.08/ft. In that case the plasma takes 7.14 miles of cutting to justify the purchase price of $3,000 or it takes 5.95 miles so save money over buying a O/A rig at $500.

 

[GLyford]

Back in the 90s a company came out with a torch system using gasoline and O2.

Sounds like Petrogen, they're still around...

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Sounds like Petrogen, they're still around...

They're crazy expensive.

I understand that petrogen is popular with the rescue units and fire departments.