I have a need for a circle cutting guide for my plasma cutter. I cant justify £50 for two holes so I thought I would turn one down on the lathe. I have noticed that they are all made out of brass, as I have not got anything suitable in brass or ali is there any reason (besides weight) that I cant use steel as i have plenty of that.
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pedrobedro
Man at Matalan
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If you're only using it for two holes you could make it out of wood 
Titus A Duxass
Member
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I can say that wooden guides for plasma cutting do not last for one hole unless you can find some good hard (dense) - I tried and it failed.
gordon stephenson
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What size holes are you needing to cut?If you are wanting to 'play with your toys" there are lots of designs to be found with a search, For something quick, a length of 6MM rod or so with awasher welded at one end to suit your plasma torch and something at the other end of the rod to locate at the hole centre.
chunkolini
celebrity artiste
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I use a piece of 3x20mm strip.
Hole drilled at the centre for a small bolt through the metal and a hole at the other end for the torch. Weld up the hole in the workpiece afterwards.
If there is no space for a hole in the strip in exactly the right space cut another length.
I was going to buy a magnetic thingy but could not be bothered.
Hole drilled at the centre for a small bolt through the metal and a hole at the other end for the torch. Weld up the hole in the workpiece afterwards.
If there is no space for a hole in the strip in exactly the right space cut another length.
I was going to buy a magnetic thingy but could not be bothered.
thinfourth
pleb
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The wife has an expanding cake tin which is a ring of steel which can be adjusted within a certain size
I'd borrow it for cutting circles but i may die
I'd borrow it for cutting circles but i may die
Thanks, I've had a look on tinterweb at a few designs, my main query was the material used to make one. It appears all the pre-made ones are made in brass, I didn't know if making one out of steel would cause me any problems.
I had an idea the other day to turn an old 600gallon oil tank into a decent sized blast cabinet, hence the circle guide. My plasma cutter is a 6year old cut 50 and I could do with a stand off guide for it as I cant seem to find any drag tips that last longer than a few feet (probably down to operator error)
I thought that if I am going to the trouble to make a circle guide I might as well incorporate a straight cutting stand off guide with it.
I had an idea the other day to turn an old 600gallon oil tank into a decent sized blast cabinet, hence the circle guide. My plasma cutter is a 6year old cut 50 and I could do with a stand off guide for it as I cant seem to find any drag tips that last longer than a few feet (probably down to operator error)
I thought that if I am going to the trouble to make a circle guide I might as well incorporate a straight cutting stand off guide with it.
No, I'm not that brave either - good idea though
Wendelspanswick
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I think they use brass as it's easier to clean the spatter off of it. Looks prettier as well but there is nothing stopping you turning one out of steel.
