Plasma cutter.... what can they and can't they do?

[scraggs]

I have a Hypertherm Powermax45 XP, nice bit of kit but it takes a decent size compressor and a very good power supply to keep it going, I am currently renewing the size cable to my workshop as every now and then it will trip it out.

[doobin]

9 hours ago, Moose McAlpine said:

 

You'll empty 50L in a few seconds, although slower than air tools as the plasma's intake pressure is regulated down. I have to 50A R-Tech and it empties my 200L compressor fairly quick.

 

For painted/rusty stuff you'll need one with a pilot arc, which burns the crap off the surface just before you start cutting. The 50A R-Tech has this, but the 30A doesn't.

I didnt realise that about the 30am machine. Having looked at the specs, the 30 also uses the cheap nasty torch setup. 
 

If I were @swinny, I’d buy the 50 amp and see how far I could turn it up before tripping the breaker! It’s a much better quality machine, and will be fine if you are only cutting 6mm stuff. It’s futureproof for when you upgrade your supply too. 
 

one more thing on the compressor side- plasma systems like dry air! R-tech do a filter system which seems to work well. 

Edited May 2, 2022 by doobin

[Dbikeguy]

Run a dedicated 16 or better still 32amp feed direct from its own breaker on the board. You then have a decent supply for welding or cutting.
plasma cutters are great but are air hungry, 50l won’t cut it unless it’s got a fast recovery.

The bigger 3phase stuff doesn’t care about rust and paint, we had one in a boat yard i worked in, could cut 40mm plus and you could move as fast as you want on thinner stuff.

[aspenarb]

Chris plasma cutters are ok if you have the power supply to run a big compressor and the plasma at the same time, that's a big draw.The cut also tends to walk when you get near the max advertised cut of any particular machine, something advertised as cutting 12mm max will do it but 8-10mm would be more in its comfort zone.You may be better off with a rent free oxy bottle and propane or acetylene, having a hot spanner/gas axe is  more use generally than just a plasma cutter.

 

Bob

[aspenarb]

This is what I am on about Chris, the Cebora prof 55 is supposed to be good for up to a 20mm cut. Plate below was 15mm and I reckon that the max.

The tradescut at the bottom of the page is in a different league and only cost me £100 s/h

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 2, 2022 by aspenarb

[swinny]

14 minutes ago, aspenarb said:

This is what I am on about Chris, the Cebora prof 55 is supposed to be good for up to a 20mm cut. Plate below was 15mm and I reckon that the max.

The tradescut at the bottom of the page is in a different league and only cost me £100 s/h

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now that looks good. 

 

Yes ideally a hot spanner for most of my stuff but the plasma is versatile. 

 

Think on a previous thread we had established I had a 16amp supply cable. 

 

So would ideally need to go bigger to be satisfied then by the sounds of it. Won't be used loads but it's there for when necessary