My wife started talking about plasma cutters last night.

[Haywire]

We were walking around Harbor Freight last night where I was buying some welding gloves and magnetic holders and she started asking me questions about plasma cutters out of the blue. I haven't mentioned them as my lack of need for one so greatly outweighs the cost that even I can't stretch that to seem logical, and that's saying something.

She got to joking about making her car a convertible with one and asked me how they work and what "plasma" was. I told her that it was the same plasma that you donate down at the medical center and you had to keep the tank full for it to work. I really didn't have an answer for her. All I could tell her was that it was electrical energy that melted the metal and compressed air blew it away. She said she's fascinated by them and said it seems all so Star Trek-ish. She wants to see one in operation and try one for herself for some reason.

She's got some project or idea rolling around her brain... Should I try to tease it out or just let it perk for a bit?

What is plasma btw?

Ian

[everlastsupport]

Short version, basically electricity and gas (air in our case). The negative power from the torch jumps to the positive return clamp on your conductive metal work piece (via the clamp), the air causes the electrons to collide and move faster and change its state to plasma. You get a focused little high temperature arc and it will melt/cut the metal.

If you ever get a plasma cutter you will wonder how you lived without it, assuming you do metal work/fab. I would stay on it and get a small one when the budget can handle it. They are a great metal working tool.

On the convertible, well, that will be some work. Watch out for sparks and a fire while removing the roof, it will probably make a mess of the interior. And it will take off paint too, so plan on grinding, filling, sanding, primer, and paint to say the least...

[GWD]

Eventually you will want to cut metal for a project or some other application. A hacksaw, grinder, even O/A get old and labor intensive quickly. Never used a metal bandsaw so can't comment on that.

A plasma cutter is like a magic wand that cuts a thin kerf through all metals. It is fast, much cooler than O/A, has a fine cut, can cut circles, arcs, straight, angles, whatever you want with ease.

I used O/A for 30 years but when the price of the plasma cutters (at Everlast) dropped to less than $1K the process was tried. I'll never go back. O/A is now used for heating and bending. Everything is cut with the plasma.

[Haywire]

I think I got her figured out... she used to dabble in pottery (my PA is plugged into her kiln receptacle) and she bought this wall hanging last year. It's a piece of sheet metal with shapes cut out and pottery tiles mounted in the holes. The whole thing is mounted to a plywood backer. It's about 18"x48".

This brings the next question. If you were to draw a pattern onto a piece of metal with soapstone, can you see the lines to freehand that pattern? I know I can't see soapstone lines when I'm welding.

Ian

Attachment 1942

[performance]

Ian,
If you can't see the lines, then your helmet is too dark. Many people in an effort to protect their eyes go too dark with a helmet and are pretty frustrated. But even on a shade 9 if you use an auto dark helmet, you should be able to see the lines while plasma cutting. Shade 5 glasses will allow you to as well.

Tell her that the plasma stream exits the torch at super sonic speeds and the temperature of the flame can exceed 40,000 degrees. A micro thin layer of molecules protects the consumables from melting. If she thinks plasma cutting is cool, tell her about water jets...now that is something to see.

[Haywire]

I've got a cheepie AD Harbor Freight helmet that's set to 10 on a 9-13 range. I don't know....

Ian

[Rivets]

< If she thinks plasma cutting is cool, tell her about water jets...now that is something to see. >

Hey Mark,

Are you hinting at a new Everlast product ??

Cheers,
rivets

[geezer]

It's obvious,she see's how happy you are with your new toy (PA200) and you probably have a birthday or anniversary coming up, so she is planning to surprise you, best to explain to her that the really good plasma comes out of an Everlast. Women are like that, they want to be helpful and supportive. They are good to have around.

[everlastsupport]

Fathers day is coming, I have my list, though I will only get one item. And, women like the green color too.