[Shop-talk] Plasma cutters

[Vincent Marshall]

Plasma cutters are incredibly useful, especially for thin material and for
aluminum in general.  They're also useful  for making sort of surgical cuts to
undo something you've tacked together and later messed up.   I have a Miller
Spectrum something or other which I use all the time.  But, for thicker steel
like the 1/4" steel plate you mention, and definitely for 1/2" and thicker
steel plate, you'll find that you can do an entirely passable job with an
oxy-fuel cutting torch and some practice.  The gas cutting setup will cost you
a lot less than a decently sized plasma cutter.

To answer your question though - all you need are  sources of electricity and
compressed air, the plasma unit itself, and some safety gear.  They are very
easy to use.  You'll be up to speed in minutes.

-vin

On Jan 5, 2011, at 11:56 AM, eric at megageek.com wrote:

> 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
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