- Thread starter TonyD
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Sam
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I have a hypertherm cant fault them try www.westermans.com they do second hand plasma cutters.
The amperage you need depends on who makes the plasma cutter. Some seem more 'efficient' than others - by which I mean they will cut thicker material for the same output amperage.
As a rough guide, reckon loosely on 100 amps per inch of cut depth. So you'll need about half that for half inch steel. But its better to look at the machine specs in terms of cut depth, not amps, and if you can test the claimed amount before you buy, all the better.
To illustrate how wrong this can be, I have a 100 amp hypertherm and its maximum cut is much closer to 2" than 1".
Be aware that some makes quote 'severance' ability (i.e. absolute maximum cuttable thickness, but it won't be pretty) and 'recommended max cut' - what you can cut to a decent quality. Others use their severance cut as the standard spec to make the machine sound more capable than it is.
Again, the compressor depends on the machine, check the air specs on each. Also bear in mind the duty cycle of your compressor and the duty cycle of the plasma cutter. They could be compatible for a limited period only...
I would hold out for hypertherm myself, but there are lots of machines which will cut 1/2" reliably. Used hypertherms are pretty rare in the UK.
Good luck, Al.
As a rough guide, reckon loosely on 100 amps per inch of cut depth. So you'll need about half that for half inch steel. But its better to look at the machine specs in terms of cut depth, not amps, and if you can test the claimed amount before you buy, all the better.
To illustrate how wrong this can be, I have a 100 amp hypertherm and its maximum cut is much closer to 2" than 1".
Be aware that some makes quote 'severance' ability (i.e. absolute maximum cuttable thickness, but it won't be pretty) and 'recommended max cut' - what you can cut to a decent quality. Others use their severance cut as the standard spec to make the machine sound more capable than it is.
Again, the compressor depends on the machine, check the air specs on each. Also bear in mind the duty cycle of your compressor and the duty cycle of the plasma cutter. They could be compatible for a limited period only...
I would hold out for hypertherm myself, but there are lots of machines which will cut 1/2" reliably. Used hypertherms are pretty rare in the UK.
Good luck, Al.
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