air supply for plasma cutting

[Panda man]

I am looking at buying a plasma cutter and have read that you should use an air drier on the compressed air supply?

What is it and what would be the downfall of just using a normal air supply?

sorry if these are simple questions but i am very new to this field

regards

 

[shenion]

Most plasma cutters come with a regulator and water trap; something like this. Even so, having one on your compressor will help improve the reliability of all your air tools.

Including the one on my plasma cutter, i have 3 filter/traps

 

[slimjim]

I am looking at buying a plasma cutter and have read that you should use an air drier on the compressed air supply?

What is it and what would be the downfall of just using a normal air supply?

sorry if these are simple questions but i am very new to this field

regards

the cut is less well defined, the torch consumables can wear out a little quicker, a water trap will be fine, so what I am saying is that its better with, but works fine without

 

[shenion]

... so what I am saying is that its better with, but works fine without

Depends on the type of plasma cutter torch.

I got mine cheap after the previous user ruined two torches using crappy air. The insides of the torch corroded and there is no way to fix them. Only takes a small amount of corrosion to cause the torch head to jam requiring a new $300 head.

HF/Pilot arc torches don't have much of a problem as they have no moving parts. The Tramfet-type that are push to start or backpressure start have the problems.

 

[slimjim]

Depends on the type of plasma cutter torch.

I got mine cheap after the previous user ruined two torches using crappy air. The insides of the torch corroded and there is no way to fix them. Only takes a small amount of corrosion to cause the torch head to jam requiring a new $300 head.

HF/Pilot arc torches don't have much of a problem as they have no moving parts. The Tramfet-type that are push to start or backpressure start have the problems.

possibly, as mine has HF pilot arc

 

[thinfourth]

Was about to ask this very question

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I am designing the air system for my garage which involves two little compressors feeding into a very large air tank which i liberated from work.

I am considering putting an dryer/oiler inline for all the air outlets. Will this greatly upset a hypertherm 30 plasma cutter?

Or should i stick in a dryer and treat each tool to manual lubrication

Slightly off topic

If paint spraying is an inline oiler an epically bad idea?

 

[shenion]

You want separate ports for dry air and oiled. You will also need to dedicate hoses that are for use with the oiler. These also have to be oil-compatible. If you use these for spraying, you will have problems.

I have 3 ports in my garage. 1 dedicated filter/reg/oil fogger for use with air tools. A separate port with a reg/water trap for spraying and general use and a port for the plasma cutter (has its own reg/trap.)