Plasma cutter

[RichardJW~]

I am thinking about getting a decent sized plasma cutter for home in the workshop rather than using the oxy-acetylene.
So had a look around and something that is capable of cutting 12mm plate needs about 120 ltrs min of air at about 90 psi.
We got a reasonable sized compressor at home but is getting a bit tired so thought I'd look out for something (perhaps on e-bay) also.......how much c/f-m free-air-delivery do I need to get it to work right?

[martyn williams]

Hello Richard
I have used one with 35cfm electric motor compressor. I guess that an increase will give you a better cut.The one I used in work run great on 100psi with a 75cfm compressor.Cut 3mm plate easy.
Get one if you do a lot of fabrication work.They are great. Better than a flame cut.Much quicker and less cleaning of the plate required.12MM is a fair thickness for a plasma to cut though,may be too thick.We used a gas profile cutter when we made buckets.I think plasma cutters work well upto 8mm.Never used on on plate above that.
Martyn

[RichardJW~]

Hello Richard
I guess that an increase will give you a better cut.The one I used in work run great on 100psi with a 75cfm compressor. Cut 3mm plate easy.

75 cfm to cut 3mm? I got some way to get to 12mm then

[martyn williams]

Hello Richard
Don't think the volume of air will have a drastic effect.The air pressure will make the difference.For sand blasting or operating a pnumatic breaker the more cfm will count.100 PSI supply cut the 3mm very easy.It may work up to 14mm.The thickest that I have seen it cut is 6mm with the cutter we had.
Martyn

[RichardJW~]

Martyn, got you now.
I'll be back home by the end of the week, so will start 'shopping' around for something

[modelman093]

Hi Richard - sure that if you have set your heart on a plasma you will get one but before you do stick Henrob 2000 into Google and have a read!
I believe that this torch is still available direct from Oz. If you can find the right site (which I couldn't just now!) it has a video of the Henrob being used to cut plate with a good finish.
I've been on the verge of getting one for ages - just never quite got around to it!
Angus

[RichardJW~]

Thanks for that link, Angus. very interesting. a reply to one of the posts in the forum talks of a 50 > 70% saving on acetylene

Yes we (I) kind of decided its time to get something, brother gets a few folks calling in at home wanting bits & pieces cut out/off etc. and thought something like this would keep him ahead of the game, so to speak.

[daniel.austin]

Hi Richard - sure that if you have set your heart on a plasma you will get one but before you do stick Henrob 2000 into Google and have a read!
I believe that this torch is still available direct from Oz. If you can find the right site (which I couldn't just now!) it has a video of the Henrob being used to cut plate with a good finish.
I've been on the verge of getting one for ages - just never quite got around to it!
Angus

Yeah that's great, I've used one and it was brilliant.