[Shop-talk] Plasma cutters

[eric at megageek.com]

OK,  I'm looking to buy a "thumb" for my back hoe.  While it is expensive 
to buy,  I realized that this is an easy piece to make, failing one 
thing...  I don't have a good way to cut heavy steel. (1/4" plate or 
better)

I don't know much about plasma cutters, but I'm willing to learn.  With 
the cost of this thumb, I could justify getting a good cutter and making 
my own.

What do you need for a cutter besides the torch?  Are they hard to learn? 
Any special skills I need?

I'm just gathering information at this time.  So I'm looking for any and 
all suggestions on buying one and what I need to do to learn it.

Thanks.

Moose
"Be as beneficent as the sun or the sea, but if your rights as a rational 
being are trenched on, die on the first inch of your territory." Ralph 
Waldo Emerson