do I want a plasma cutter

[ronan]

How much air do plasma's use ? The average single phase 30-50 amp models we'd be using in the home workshop.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

I have a 3hp 50l belt drive compressor and it's running about 50% of the time with my CUT50 at 60psi.

 

[julianthegypsy]

Plus one for laser cutters. These days almost everything I make is drawn up at home and emailed off to be lasered. I have oxy for heating and cutting odd bits, usually with a piece of angle iron clamped for a guide, and a metalcraft roller guillotine thingie for cutting sheet, as well as a pair of tinsnips. A plasma might be nice to have, but I would never go back from laser cutting, everything fits perfectly and it doesn't need ages with a grinder cleaning off the slag before I can weld it. It costs a bit but I save so much time and effort manhandling huge sheets of 5mm plate that its a no brainer. I just have make absolutely sure I get the drawings right!

 

[the snooper]

How much air do plasma's use ? The average single phase 30-50 amp models we'd be using in the home workshop.

3.5 cfm ish

 

[Shedendman]

i wonder after all the replies to this thread the OP has actually bought one?

 

[the snooper]

i wonder after all the replies to this thread the OP has actually bought one?

he might be saving up for the laser option

 

[ronan]

he might be saving up for the laser option

I want a laser one now .

 

[the snooper]

I want a laser one now .

start saving

 

[ronan]

start saving

Wait til the chinese/taiwanese rip off a design, they'll be selling them here by the boat load for half nothing, just like everything else.

 

[the snooper]

Wait til the chinese/taiwanese rip off a design, they'll be selling them here by the boat load for half nothing, just like everything else.

and conking out spectacularly with a great light show, free smoke machine as standard for the show

 

[ronan]

and conking out spectacularly with a great light show, free smoke machine as standard for the show

I think the chinese have copped on about quality, after all machines like R-tech and miller (assembled in the us) are made over there and they are fine. They do knock out a huge amount of tat of course, but you don't have to buy it.

 

[the snooper]

I think the chinese have copped on about quality, after all machines like R-tech and miller (assembled in the us) are made over there and they are fine. They do knock out a huge amount of tat of course, but you don't have to buy it.

yeah they do make some good stuff, you just need to read up a bit before you buy

 

[anjum]

Make your own........all you need is a little aubergine..

 

[ronan]

Took the plunge and bought an r-tech 30c last friday, got it delivered today. I spent the day cutting up 3mm plate, as it has 30 amps and can cut 8mm plate clean and sever 10mm (according to r-techs video on youtube) i set the amps to about half way, 15 amps or so, i wasn't getting great results to be honest, but its years since i used one, anyway being tight for time, i cranked it right up to the max and got stuck in, it worked fine then.

 

[Shedendman]

Took the plunge and bought an r-tech 30c last friday, got it delivered today. I spent the day cutting up 3mm plate, as it has 30 amps and can cut 8mm plate clean and sever 10mm (according to r-techs video on youtube) i set the amps to about half way, 15 amps or so, i wasn't getting great results to be honest, but its years since i used one, anyway being tight for time, i cranked it right up to the max and got stuck in, it worked fine then.

Out of interest,what torch did they supply?

 

[Wendelspanswick]

Took the plunge and bought an r-tech 30c last friday, got it delivered today. I spent the day cutting up 3mm plate, as it has 30 amps and can cut 8mm plate clean and sever 10mm (according to r-techs video on youtube) i set the amps to about half way, 15 amps or so, i wasn't getting great results to be honest, but its years since i used one, anyway being tight for time, i cranked it right up to the max and got stuck in, it worked fine then.

Try adjusting the air pressure as I find on my plasma a few psi either side makes a big difference to the quality of cut.

 

[ronan]

Out of interest,what torch did they supply?

I'll stick up a picture later, but its a purple plastic one.

 

[Gareth0123]

My R-Tech P30C plasma cutter has the PT31 torch;

 

[ronan]

Yeah mine is the same just a different colour.

 

[ukracer]

Plus one for laser cutters. These days almost everything I make is drawn up at home and emailed off to be lasered. I have oxy for heating and cutting odd bits, usually with a piece of angle iron clamped for a guide, and a metalcraft roller guillotine thingie for cutting sheet, as well as a pair of tinsnips. A plasma might be nice to have, but I would never go back from laser cutting, everything fits perfectly and it doesn't need ages with a grinder cleaning off the slag before I can weld it. It costs a bit but I save so much time and effort manhandling huge sheets of 5mm plate that its a no brainer. I just have make absolutely sure I get the drawings right!

What drawing software do you use.?