plasma cutter for motorcycle customising

[ortogo]

Hi all,
just a quick question, as a hobby I build custom motorcycles, theres usually quite a bit of removing old redundant brackets/mountings and frame alteration. Up until now I've got by using a small angle grinder or hacksaw for this type of work, I'm just wondering how useful a plasma cutter would be for this type of thing. Generally the frames are well painted so will a plasma cope with thick paint? and is it reasonably good for getting into tight places? thanks in advance

 

[eSCHEn]

You get two kinds of cutter, ones which need a bare bit of metal to start on and ones which will fire anywhere.

Your return lead will always need bare metal.

Thick? Sort of depends on your ruler For an example I can plasma cut heavy powdercoating with ease once the arc fires. It's very focused heat so tends to clear its own path.

Access is again subjective but isn't bad. If you tig then it's about the same as a WP9 head with the smallest back cap ever.

 

[Chris Stevens]

Hi all,
just a quick question, as a hobby I build custom motorcycles, theres usually quite a bit of removing old redundant brackets/mountings and frame alteration. Up until now I've got by using a small angle grinder or hacksaw for this type of work, I'm just wondering how useful a plasma cutter would be for this type of thing. Generally the frames are well painted so will a plasma cope with thick paint? and is it reasonably good for getting into tight places? thanks in advance

I do a lot of alterations and modifications to bike frames and even though i have a plasma cutter have not and never would use it for work on frames. Best possible thing to do what you are looking for is one of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bosch-PSA...018815?hash=item1eaa4a5bff:g:zFEAAOSwFqJWn0P1

 

[HMB]

My Miller cuts thro everything paint and all

 

[chunkolini]

Plasma will deal with paint maybe even stove enamel. But it could easily cause all sorts of damage cutting bits off frames.
I would go easy.

 

[Shedendman]

i'd rather plug and play with a resip saw than flaff about with setting up my plasma,esp on brackets and small mountings.
As for getting into tight places your restricted by the head of the torch

 

[Chris Stevens]

Sabre saw makes bike work much easier, and if you can get one thats smaller than the Kango hammer size ones, that will be ideal, as not as heavy and will do everything you want. I got a little used Bosch from Ebay for £20............

 

[Kent]

Is it honestly worth the expense as there are still going to be so many situations were a saw or grinder is as good or better. Also consider a keen cold chisel followed by a file

 

[lchris21]

I use an air powered die grinder with adaptor I made to take 1mm slitting discs when they are too small for the angle grinder. Gets into most places with precision and ease....