Plasma cutters- circle cutting on outside projects...

[sd455dan]

Wondering what kind of set ups Tbners have come up with for cutting circles on outside projects- where the hole needs to be cut (on the job).

Wanted to change my trailers tie down brackets on my fifth wheel. The tie downs I have have a hook and there was no good way to hook them on the tie down points on my trailer.
Last time out one actually popped off after hitting a good whoopdee doo in the road

I tried boring a hole with my stepped drill, but it was taking forever and gave up. Next tried the plasma free hand- Well that ain't going to do.

finally found an old magnet steel support from a blown subwoofer and used vice grips to hold it to the tie down mount and using the (wire) plasma cutter tip guide was able to cut all 17 holes. finished last night :cool2: Seen here after returning from the 1 st trip and test.

just made it into our drive today with some Alfalfa and wife noticed the tire was almost flat..:thumbdown:

The speaker (guide) worked to plasma cut the holes for me, but will only do one hole size ...

What do you guys use when doing outside (the garage/shop) circle cuts with plasma???

It would be nice- if someone has made/ bought? an adjustable version..??..

 

[aarolar]

I have one for a fuel torch I'll share later this is one I found for a plasma.

Victor Thermal Dynamics Circle Cut Guide Kit, 2.125 - 27.75 In 7-3291 | Zoro.com

 

[Shield Arc]

Flange Wizard makes a nice circle cutter for plasma. They sell a longer bar too. I made one to use with my rotating table.

 

[pabble]

For small holes where the circle cutting guides won't work I've found using the inner hole in large washers works well - also cut templates from 1/8" MDF, 1/4" oversize will work if I can't find a washer of good size - can make any shape cutout with the MDF.

 

[Big Barn]

Having done lowbed/equipment moves (since I was a kid) this is the way I was originally taught to hang your hook.



That way if your chain or strap DOES come loose in transit the hook is less likely to fall off.

I bought these circle templates off eBay and I can't find the link.



They have inside and outside diameters etched on them as well as a right angle "cross for alignment. The marked diameters allow for the offset of your plasma tip.

Terry

 

[lostcreekranch]

Or get some ratchet straps with chains and hook then just loop the chain thru the stake pockets as shown above. Drop hook thru stake pocket then bring it up and hook over the outside of the SP.

You can get them in 2" and 4" strap width.

 

[sd455dan]

Having done lowbed/equipment moves (since I was a kid) this is the way I was originally taught to hang your hook.

View attachment 461376

That way if your chain or strap DOES come loose in transit the hook is less likely to fall off.

I bought these circle templates off eBay and I can't find the link.

View attachment 461377

They have inside and outside diameters etched on them as well as a right angle "cross for alignment. The marked diameters allow for the offset of your plasma tip.

Terry

Yes Terry that is the way I have always, and still do chains on trailers.

Unfortunately the nylon? tie-downs i bought before getting this trailer, are the round welded hook design-

that will not fit through the welded c channel between the outside trailer framing.

The new holes work great with the straps I have and even if loose are somewhat retained (must be rotated into position), also this way does not wrap the strap around the metal edge of the c channel , reducing chaffing/abrasion of the tie down webbing.
So the holes are working great and can still usethe chains as before.

Those circle templates are Exactly what I was hoping for.:thumbsup:

 

[sd455dan]

Or get some ratchet straps with chains and hook then just loop the chain thru the stake pockets as shown above. Drop hook thru stake pocket then bring it up and hook over the outside of the SP.

You can get them in 2" and 4" strap width.

View attachment 461378

Thanks, If i pick up a couple more straps, Those look like the ticket,- and add a little variety / adaptability to the mix.

 

[johnems]

Yes Terry that is the way I have always, and still do chains on trailers.

Unfortunately the nylon? tie-downs i bought before getting this trailer, are the round welded hook design-

that will not fit through the welded c channel between the outside trailer framing.

The new holes work great with the straps I have and even if loose are somewhat retained (must be rotated into position), also this way does not wrap the strap around the metal edge of the c channel , reducing chaffing/abrasion of the tie down webbing.
So the holes are working great and can still usethe chains as before.

Those circle templates are Exactly what I was hoping for.:thumbsup:

I was taught to put the chain to the lower frame. Supposable less likely to bend the trailer. Any thoughts form the group. My guess the way showed here is that it a binder let loose the chain will situ]ill have a place to hold.

 

[Big Barn]

sd455dan I still can't find the eBay listing.
Here's the instruction sheet with some contact info....



Terry

 

[sd455dan]

I was taught to put the chain to the lower frame. Supposable less likely to bend the trailer. Any thoughts form the group. My guess the way showed here is that it a binder let loose the chain will situ]ill have a place to hold.

jmo, but if the trailer is distorting by just tightening down a load, there are probably bigger problems than where the chain/ strap is attached

 

[Big Barn]

jmo, but if the trailer is distorting by just tightening down a load, there are probably bigger problems than where the chain/ strap is attached

Must be one of those 110V mig built trailers you guys are always talking about.

Terry

 

[sd455dan]

:laughing: I had to go read the thread you may be talking about
Is this it? http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/164738-mig-welder-how-thick-can.html

Or is it a different thread?


I am not a believer in 110 vac welders-( except maybe small stuff on a budget) and never owned or used a 110 only unit.

Seems to me that 230 vac is pretty much a given to have the power available to put heat into a weld when needed-

especially over 1/4" steel let alone anything 1/4"+ of Aluminum, the welders i have owned were 230 volt except my old victor Oxy-Acetylene

For many years my mig was the only electric welder -and although it did weld 3/8 steel, was never comfortable with making multiple passes at max amperage (hoping) for really good penetration /fusion.
Never tried flux cored wire either, just dug out the old tombstone while I had it, for outside welding unless it was dead calm.

Have always believed that a person needs to use what he has to get the job done- but may have to add an exception for 110 volt welder built trailers...
In that case keep the small welder and buy a 230 volt one with enough amperage and duty cycle for the bigger jobs-(trailer building)

May have to go get my flame suit out now, for the heat possibly coming my way - showing me the wonderful 110 volt welder built trailers.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Yep, you may have just opened the "arc".

Raiders of the Lost Ark - Face Melt Scene - YouTube

Oh, oh! I think I hear them coming? Run! Hide!

 

[mikefromnh]

sd455dan I still can't find the eBay listing.
Here's the instruction sheet with some contact info....

View attachment 461429

Terry

How well do you like those?

(Search for "plasma stencil" on ebay or amazon)
Plasma Stencil Circle Cutter Kit 5pc for Hypertherm Plasma Cutter | eBay

 

[Big Barn]

How well do you like those? (Search for "plasma stencil" on ebay or amazon) Plasma Stencil Circle Cutter Kit 5pc for Hypertherm Plasma Cutter | eBay

I like them! I find them handy for putting a quick radius on corners.

It's important to order the set that matches your make/torch. Terry

 

[BAP]

sd455dan I still can't find the eBay listing.
Here's the instruction sheet with some contact info....

View attachment 461429

Terry

Here is the listing on the companies website. Plasma Stencils

 

[sd455dan]

Thanks - did a search
(thanks for the info guys) and also found them on Ebay listing and these stencils work for (drag tip) Hypertherm, Miller and Thermo Dynamics.



Now the confusing part- with a chinese plasma cutter.
Mine has an SG-55 60 amp torch and is a non contact??? the plasma cutter is a high frequency pilot arc style machine.

Have drug the tip before- but not actually (sure) it is ok to use that way- :ashamed:
without a (standoff) wire that attaches to the ceramic shield cup. The torch tip is very similar size wise to the name brand units. Classed as (PCON)
Read the manual that came with it- and there is reference to maintaining a slight clearance between tip and work

When I cut out the circles on the trailer, using the wire guide worked pretty well although it would seem the cut would be more accurate just dragging the tip Without the standoff. The actual tip diameter is similar to both the Miller and Hypertherm.

So after thinking these 911 motorsport stencils would be perfect and also usable for corners- I may not be able to use them as designed, without worrying about frying the chinese plasma cutter...