posted
Have often thought about dabbling in metal and doing something creative with it. I just did a search on plasma cutters, and came up with a variety at a broad range of costs.
Can anyone please give me some insight on them, as at this point I'm a total newbie. It's still a seed of thought for me, and I'm not even sure I want to go down that road. I'd be interested in learning more. I have downloaded an article from the Miller site outlining how to select and operate a hand held plasma cutter. So I'll be reading that right now. But thought I'd toss the question out here to get some feedback from those with experience.
thanks much! ~ janette
-------------------- "When Love and Skill Work Together ... Expect a Masterpiece"
posted
I have a Miller plasma cutter. I've had it for seven or eight years and it has given me no problems. Based on my experience I would suggest you get twice the plasma cutter you think you need. If you will be cutting metal up to 1/4" thick get a plasma cutter rated for 1/2". It will cut half inch material but it is really slow. It cuts through 1/4 inch effortlessly.
A plasma cutter is a LOT of fun!
-grampa dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8739 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
When I read your thread title my first thought was exactly dans advice to get one rated for twice the thickness you think you want to cut.
On the other hand if you want to cut 1/4" material you will also need a forklift in order to move that material around your shop if youre talking about larger plates.
You will also need a good size air compressor for the more capable cutters. The lightweight 110 volt portable units usually have a built in compressor but they struggle with 1/8" material in my experience with a 110V Miller unit.
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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posted
for what it's worth, Nettie, the smaller 110 volt units will cut lighter gauges of steel and aluminum like butter. Good for more decorative stuff like wall art or embellishments for larger projects.
Miller has a unit that runs on both 110V or 230V, has a built in air compressor, and is rated for 3/8" material for about $1500 retail. You can probably get it for a bit less from a local dealer. You'd have to run it on the higher voltage to get the 3/8" cutting but you'd still have the flexibility to use regular home/shop circuits for lighter work.
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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posted
We have a shop across town that I can send a .dxf file to and he cuts it for me...much more affordable than owning and maintaining my own equipment. Also the same with the water jet cutting that seems cleaner and cheaper.
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6726 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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i got a shop near me that has a 5 foot X 10 foot..........like rick said take them a file......see how that works before you jump into something like that. with out a large shop space, and either a forklift, or 2-3 bodies.....steel is not like pickin up a sheet of coro!!!! and the stuff it cuts away, makes a real mess and its HOT when it hits the floor!!!
[ October 26, 2011, 04:28 PM: Message edited by: old paint ]
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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