Cutting profiles with plasma

Luke · Jan 28, 2018

PDJ355 said:
cu

Was it a company you used to get them cut?

Yes, and I'm just a hobbyist, so I probably paid over the odds.

I provided the DXF. If you couldn't do that, I'd happily draw it for you.

Luke

PDJ355 · Jan 28, 2018

Luke said:
Yes, and I'm just a hobbyist, so I probably paid over the odds.

I provided the DXF. If you couldn't do that, I'd happily draw it for you.

Luke

Dxf, is that like a cad drawing? I couldn’t do that, don’t have the software or no how! , what software do you use?

Luke · Jan 28, 2018

Yes, dxf is one of the file formats for the CAD drawing. Most cnc cutting outfits will accept it.

If you ask them to draw it, they'll usually charge an additional fee.

There are a few free cad programs, there's a post on here. It'll take some time to learn, but it's a useful tool to have.

If it helps, I'd draw this part up from your sketches, so that you can get quotes, etc. and decide if its a route worth investigating.

PDJ355 · Jan 28, 2018

View attachment 130330 Hi Luke

if you wouldn’t mind drawing it up that would be great, i have the manufactures drawings of it but i presume you still need to draw it up on cad?

It’s the s30/180 sides i need replicated

Cheers

Luke · Jan 28, 2018

I can't open that attachment, I don't have permission.

If it helps, I can give you my email address.

Luke

PDJ355 · Jan 28, 2018

Yeh send email address and i will send across , cheers

slim_boy_fat · Jan 28, 2018

Hood said:
A drag nozzle would probably be the best as you can contact the material being cut instead of having to keep the gap manually.

Veering slightly

fftopic:

, can you explain the difference in nozzles re 'drag' ones. I have extended ones which I've not tried yet [having messed up the few which came with my Cut50 :ashamed:

] but due to compromised sight in one eye have difficulty in maintaining the 2mm gap.

Drag ones sound like the solution, if I can find a cheap enough source for them.

PDJ355 · Jan 28, 2018

slim_boy_fat said:
Veering slightly fftopic: , can you explain the difference in nozzles re 'drag' ones. I have extended ones which I've not tried yet [having messed up the few which came with my Cut50 ] but due to compromised sight in one eye have difficulty in maintaining the 2mm gap.

Drag ones sound like the solution, if I can find a cheap enough source for them.

Is it a plasma part cut50 you have? that is what i am thinking of getting? is it any good?

Hood · Jan 28, 2018

slim_boy_fat said:
Veering slightly fftopic: , can you explain the difference in nozzles re 'drag' ones. I have extended ones which I've not tried yet [having messed up the few which came with my Cut50 ] but due to compromised sight in one eye have difficulty in maintaining the 2mm gap.

Drag ones sound like the solution, if I can find a cheap enough source for them.

Edit the Trafimet shown above (what I have) is showing the drag tip, nozzles are separate as they go inside the tip.

PDJ355 · Jan 28, 2018

How neet a cut would you get using a drag nozzle for my profiles if i had a steady hand? Is it like using a jigsaw in principle?

Hood · Jan 28, 2018

This is the setup without the drag tip, the nozzle protrudes from the lower part.

slim_boy_fat · Jan 28, 2018

PDJ355 said:
Is it a plasma part cut50 you have? that is what i am thinking of getting? is it any good?

Yes, but I've not had a chance to use it much due to weather, illness etc. Many on here have them [search for @skotl 's report/review of his] and the consensus seems to be that they're OK for hobby work but not for 'serious' stuff.

Some have reported problems with the machines [which are fixable if you know what you're doing with electronics] and it seems to be a bit of a lottery. Only thing I had with mine was the feed tube to the gauge was too short and kinked, I had to cut and lengthen it with plastic tubing. It does cut though, although as said I've not given it a proper test yet.

Hood · Jan 28, 2018

PDJ355 said:
How neet a cut would you get using a drag nozzle for my profiles if i had a steady hand? Is it like using a jigsaw in principle?

Drag tips can be very neat but it takes practice as you have to relax as too much downward pressure causes friction and you can end up juddering your way along

Hood · Jan 28, 2018

PDJ355 said:
How neet a cut would you get using a drag nozzle for my profiles if i had a steady hand? Is it like using a jigsaw in principle?

Don't know how far into the highlands you are but if you fancy a trip down to Arbroath with the material I can cut them on the CNC for you at cost of consumables.

PDJ355 · Jan 28, 2018

Hood said:
Don't know how far into the highlands you are but if you fancy a trip down to Arbroath with the material I can cut them on the CNC for you at cost of consumables.

I am Fortwilliam area,thanks very much for your offer i might take you up on it yet ! :laughing:

, i am keen to have a go at making them up my self more as a hobby thing?

Hood · Jan 28, 2018

You could also have a go with the hand torch here if you wanted

gaz1 · Jan 29, 2018

cut 50 normal

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Plasma-C...361031&hash=item3f1e05ca42:g:ZZsAAOxy02dRgQaV

cut 50 extended

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Plasma-C...774814?hash=item416d4f1a1e:g:GQMAAOxy02dRgK4n

it makes it easier to cut with extended as you can drag it around a shape or say 3-4mm thick steel plate

cut 50s should have drag tips a cross looking copper cap if not its not a drag tip

Ian James · Jan 29, 2018

PDJ355 said:
How neet a cut would you get using a drag nozzle for my profiles if i had a steady hand? Is it like using a jigsaw in principle?

It is possible to get quite a nice finish with a drag tip at least I usually do with the little RTec but you must keep the tip clean
Pic no 1is10 10 mm cut at 30 amps and is very close to the max thickness I can cut due to 30 amps being my max output due to only having a 13 amp supply in the workshop
Pic 2 is 4mm cut at 22 amps woops for some reason pic 1has posted twice !!

slim_boy_fat · Jan 29, 2018

gaz1 said:
cut 50s should have drag tips a cross looking copper cap if not its not a drag tip

Thanks for that - I'm pretty sure I have the ones with the cross in them, but they're in the shed and it's pouring rain...... :mad:

.

I can check later but it looks as if I'm good to go [when the weather behaves] :thumbup:

MattH · Jan 29, 2018

Just been doing a bit of this myself today. Cutting 10mm Mild steel with my Plasma Part 40A machine.
I haven't used it much before and it's amazing how much technique plays a part.
I was really struggling at first but then I changed my grip and started to plow through it with no issues.

The top of this pic shows where I was struggling and the bottom is after changing my grip.