Plasma cutters are awesome

[skotl]

Just spent a happy five hours with a mate making hinges for his work benches. Used pretty much every tool in the garage apart from the welder and the standout device was the plasma cutter

We used the Evo Rage to do most of the right-angled cuts but everything else, including cutting circle edges, was done with plasma. No idea how I managed without one and I'd heartily recommend the experience

 

[wookie]

Just spent a happy five hours with a mate making hinges for his work benches. Used pretty much every tool in the garage apart from the welder and the standout device was the plasma cutter

We used the Evo Rage to do most of the right-angled cuts but everything else, including cutting circle edges, was done with plasma. No idea how I managed without one and I'd heartily recommend the experience

Just remember you need to have good ventilation when your using it or it's black snot time and probably knackered lungs.

 

[ukracer]

Just spent a happy five hours with a mate making hinges for his work benches. Used pretty much every tool in the garage apart from the welder and the standout device was the plasma cutter

We used the Evo Rage to do most of the right-angled cuts but everything else, including cutting circle edges, was done with plasma. No idea how I managed without one and I'd heartily recommend the experience

Interesting...I have found it rather less useful than I thought I would so far.

 

[ukracer]

Just spent a happy five hours with a mate making hinges for his work benches. Used pretty much every tool in the garage apart from the welder and the standout device was the plasma cutter

We used the Evo Rage to do most of the right-angled cuts but everything else, including cutting circle edges, was done with plasma. No idea how I managed without one and I'd heartily recommend the experience

Got any pics etc??

 

[normspanners]

Still workin then? after your bodge up?

 

[skotl]

Just remember you need to have good ventilation when your using it or it's black snot time and probably knackered lungs.

Yup - unlike with the welder the garage door could stay open, plus we had a fan heater running (2 degrees C) and my hacked-together ventilation system

Got any pics etc??

Actually, no. He's taken them home for his workbenches (he's a carpenter and these are jigs for making doors and windows).
They're not much to look at, but accuracy was vital and they needed to be strong.

Still workin then? after your bodge up?

Aye! Pretty impressed, actually - it's holding up well. Glad I'm getting a new compressor, though, I'm definitely done with that direct-drive unit firing up after 15 seconds of cutting.

 

[mr migwire]

hey scott has your replacement showed up yet???

 

[skotl]

Nah. Need to break into the wife's ebay account to send them a "what's happening?" chase-up

 

[mr migwire]

Nah. Need to break into the wife's ebay account to send them a "what's happening?" chase-up

there all on holiday at the mo with there new year and all that, im waiting on a few bits getting despatched.....

 

[rikrobson]

I don't have an Evo Rage, so i use thew plasma to cut angle iron too. I do find that i need an edge to run against in order for the cut to be straight.

 

[skotl]

there all on holiday at the mo with there new year and all that, im waiting on a few bits getting despatched.....

Ah - valid point.
They should have flippin' shipped it six weeks ago, tho...

 

[skotl]

I don't have an Evo Rage, so i use thew plasma to cut angle iron too. I do find that i need an edge to run against in order for the cut to be straight.

Yeah - definitely. The cuts are a bit rough and ready and running against a piece of wood works best (though the wood doesn't seem to enjoy it much )

 

[rikrobson]

I used an aldi aluminium Square once. The nozzle flipped up and cut into the the square's blade

 

[ukracer]

Yeah - definitely. The cuts are a bit rough and ready and running against a piece of wood works best (though the wood doesn't seem to enjoy it much )

apparently hardboard is good for templates.

I like this as well........

and this...lol

 

[Maker]

The jig in the first video is only suitable for flat plate, notching tubes like that will never fit perfectly unless you're using elliptical tube. Looking down from the top, the hole would be an ellipsis. When you set it to X length, the width at the top of the pipe would be correct but the width at the sides where it goes down would be less, the square root of half half of X squared to be precise. (sqrt(x^2 /2))

 

[mr migwire]

The jig in the first video is only suitable for flat plate, notching tubes like that will never fit perfectly. Looking down from the top, the hole would be an ellipsis. When you set it to X length, the width at the top of the pipe would be correct but the width at the sides where it goes down would be less, the square root of half half of X squared to be precise. (sqrt(x^2 /2))

why would you want to cut a saddle for flat plate?

 

[Maker]

why would you want to cut a saddle for flat plate?

I mean it will cut circles on flat plate.

 

[mr migwire]

don't see why it wouldn't work, you cut your rough notch or saddle with the plasma and the guide then dress with grinder till you get required fit.

 

[Maker]

don't see why it wouldn't work, you cut your rough notch or saddle with the plasma and the guide then dress with grinder till you get required fit.

That is true but my point is, that will never make a perfect notch so he can't call it the ultimate plasma jig. Depending on the size of the tube, you might be grinding away a lot of material. Using 100mm pipe, you would have to grind up to 20mm away each side to fit properly.

 

[CRB]

That is true but my point is, that will never make a perfect notch so he can't call it the ultimate plasma jig. Depending on the size of the tube, you might be grinding away a lot of material. Using 100mm pipe, you would have to grind up to 20mm away each side to fit properly.

Maker is quite correct, good maths today, the variation gets worse the larger in diameter you get. If a notcher is not available, better learn how to develop the transitions.

Interesting view on suitable PPE in those videos, TShirt/jeans/glasses and gloves versus molten metal being sprayed around by compressed air.