Another plasma cutter question.

I was thinking of adding a plasma cutter to my wish list. Pretty much needing something to cut Aluminum. Never heard of cutting Alum with a torch but think it would be a mess. Plasma sounds like the way to go.

I really don't have much to spend but don't want something that I would not be happy with. Mostly thinner stuff to cut 1/8" to maybe 1/4".

The super cut 40 for $550 is not bad but the next jump looks like a PP50 with IGBT but the price Jumps to $800. Then I can jump to a PP60 with HF for $900.

I am just a hobbyist so even 5 bills is a lot.

Questions... Is jumping to the IGBT worth the jump??? What about HF over Blowback start. What are the pros and cons to either???

Or any other comments are appreciated. Thanks

You may look at a 7-1/4" metal cutting saw
http://www.lowes.com/webapp/wcs/stor...AID=1023889119
many other brands out there just use a dry lub on the blade. I have been using a 10" table saw with a 60 tooth carbide blade. It make very clean cuts nice a straight.

have fun
Tom

The SC line is find for hobby type projects. The PP50 is IGBT based, a bit tougher built. The torches and blowback, nothing major unless you plan on a CNC table. Then the PP50 would be the best choice.

Hope that helps.

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Originally Posted by acourtjester

You may look at a 7-1/4" metal cutting saw
http://www.lowes.com/webapp/wcs/stor...AID=1023889119
many other brands out there just use a dry lub on the blade. I have been using a 10" table saw with a 60 tooth carbide blade. It make very clean cuts nice a straight.

have fun
Tom

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How thick do you cut with it??? I have never thought of cutting with a circular saw blade. Do you just cut alum??? Or steel also??? I see the saw you linked to said good for mild steel. I think it would freak me out the first time I would try it. I have seen the cut off saws but they would not be very good for sheets.

Was also reading about the dual blade saws in another post. They just reminded me more of a gimmick, but they seem to work well.

Hey mike question the PowerUltra 250P sorta confused says hf but why dose it come with cnc plug on back and has a blowback torch

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Originally Posted by Rodsmachineshop

Hey mike question the PowerUltra 250P sorta confused says hf but why dose it come with cnc plug on back and has a blowback torch

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It says it has an S45 so that is a blowback style. But the welder will be a HF start.

should work if has cnc plug on back rite for a plasma table . I did notice like on the 60c it low frequency start so is the powerultra 250 the same High Voltage, Low Frequency
(Inductor) be nice if the everlast company that makes them would give out a little more information on the units and manuals a little better

I have another related question. Is there a limitation for minimum thickness of cutting material? As an example, what current should be used to cut 0.8mm (1/32") mild steel, and is it possible to set up such current on PP50 and PP80? (I could not find current range for the plasma cutters)

I don't have a PP50, but I cut .040" sheet metal at about 22amps, quickly, with my 50amp plasma cutter. I could probably cut it with lower amperage. I don't see there would be a problem with .032".

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Originally Posted by acourtjester

You may look at a 7-1/4" metal cutting saw
http://www.lowes.com/webapp/wcs/stor...AID=1023889119
many other brands out there just use a dry lub on the blade. I have been using a 10" table saw with a 60 tooth carbide blade. It make very clean cuts nice a straight.

have fun
Tom

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This looks like a wrist breaker!! I would hate to twist the blade one time in some 1/8"...

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Originally Posted by FordSloman

I have another related question. Is there a limitation for minimum thickness of cutting material? As an example, what current should be used to cut 0.8mm (1/32") mild steel, and is it possible to set up such current on PP50 and PP80? (I could not find current range for the plasma cutters)

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I had to cut off some rusty 5/16"-18 bolts today. Did most at 60 amps. But it was overkill and there was a plastic bucket around the cuts.. I backed to 30 amps to finish. So the PP60 range is 30-60 and maybe lower.

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Originally Posted by KSmith

I don't have a PP50, but I cut .040" sheet metal at about 22amps, quickly, with my 50amp plasma cutter. I could probably cut it with lower amperage. I don't see there would be a problem with .032".

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Thank you for the info. I think, it might be a problem to make a smooth cut without notches of thin sheet when torch is moved even slightly slower (for example, it might be a corner or curve).

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Originally Posted by everlastsupport

I had to cut off some rusty 5/16"-18 bolts today.

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I believe there is no problem to cut a sheet of such thickness. I have found the amperage ranges, so:
PP50 - 20..50A (thickness 28 gauge - 3/4")
PP80 - 20..80A (thickness 20 gauge - 1 1/2")
I have no idea why PP50 and PP80 have different minimum thickness having the same minimum amperage, however I think it depends on acceptable quality of the cut.

I have got a US related question. :) I am not quite sure about those "gauges" when they are not related to guns. Am I right that 28 gauges of thickness = 1/28"?

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Originally Posted by FordSloman

I have got a US related question. :) I am not quite sure about those "gauges" when they are not related to guns. Am I right that 28 gauges of thickness = 1/28"?

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The PP80 torch has a larger orifice and the kerf will be a little wider, but you can use it on 28 as well. If you move fast you probably will not see much of a difference.

Here is a chart for sheetmetal http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/units/sc...heetmetal.html

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Originally Posted by FordSloman

I have got a US related question. :) I am not quite sure about those "gauges" when they are not related to guns. Am I right that 28 gauges of thickness = 1/28"?

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Looks like it is not even close. 28 Gauge is 0.0149 and 1/28 =0.0357142857 They are both in decimal.

Here is a chart. Looks like this place shows different dimensions for different metals.

http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/units/sc...heetmetal.html

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Originally Posted by Brian Ski

Looks like this place shows different dimensions for different metals.

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Thank you guys for the chart, it blows my mind. :)

If you're frequently working with aluminum I'd use a bandsaw or a chopsaw before investing big bucks into a plasma cutter.

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Originally Posted by X83

If you're frequently working with aluminum I'd use a bandsaw or a chopsaw before investing big bucks into a plasma cutter.

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Thanks, It looks like another jump to go plasma... I usually cut Aluminum with a jig saw or a sawsall.

Still thinking of trying the carbide blade on a circular saw. Has me curious.

Attachment 6289I was looking at saws and decide just going to make one not hard to make and can make adjustable so can set at different speeds for what blade i am using . lots of diy plans on the internet . mostly want it to cut aluminum

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Originally Posted by Rodsmachineshop

Attachment 6289I was looking at saws and decide just going to make one not hard to make and can make adjustable so can set at different speeds for what blade i am using . lots of diy plans on the internet . mostly want it to cut aluminum

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Make one??? A band saw??? Any plans that you found look good??? Got a link??? Thx.

I am thinking Harbor Freight has some cheap stuff. Would be easier to get one of theirs. I bought a big drill press from them over a decade ago. (when they used to offer free shipping) Still going strong. Just like usual it may not be super high quality but gets the job done.

I have the Harbor Freight 4x6 bandsaw, and am very happy with it. I have made a new stand for it (will be one of my projects I will post soon here), and put on an irwin bimetal blade from enco. Usually horizontal, I cut all kinds of stuff on it, and have used it in vertical to cut sheet brass. I have it adjusted dead accurate, tho it was testy at first. Just took some getting used to, it's quirks. I would highly recommend it. There is a yahoo forum for 4x6 bandsaws with lots of information.

ken

enco has a nice bandsaw going to get one from them when they go on sale they had a nice bog one on sale 3 months ago killer price