plasma cutter question

[plum loco]

Am new to using a plasma cutter,am having trouble seeing my cut lines.Whats the best marker to use,am thinking it might be white chalk.Reason am asking,i tried it out this afternoon but could not see the cut line marks very well as i used a perminent marker pen.I am impressed with the piasma cutting thou.

 

[AdrianH]

If near Darwen I can give you a few sticks of the stuff to try.

I should say it is what I use, mainly though with a cutting guide.

Adrian

 

[plum loco]

Darwens to far away but thank you,straight lines not a problem its freehand shapes i need to see.I will get some chalk tomorrow and have a play see if thats any clearer.cheers.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Try a paint marker pen or a liquid chalk pen. I get mine rom my steel supplier.

 

[gordon stephenson]

X2 french chalk. Also for marking metal I buy bullet point Sharpie markers, Black on bright metal and silver on rusted or mill scale metal.

 

[morssdn]

When plasma cutting I've found when trying to see through shaded lenses, that your lines show up the best if you get as good lighting as you can on the material - direct sunlight or a strong lamp.
On bright steel a dark pen like a Sharpie or on darker mill scale a light chalk or soapstone pen like the Markal range works best.
eg http://www.engweld.co.uk/Handtools/Markers/i6939/MARKAL_Silver_Streak_Welders_Pencil.html

 

[rikrobson]

I use yellow liquid chalk and make sure there is plenty of light. The arc is not as intense as welding and I usually have the visor on grinding mode (5).

If yu are doing multiple items of the same shape it helps to make a plywood template. You can obviously work that with no visor and plywood is reletivly easy to work.

 

[skotl]

Try a paint marker pen or a liquid chalk pen. I get mine rom my steel supplier.

Ditto - I find them far easier to see than a sharpie.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PACK-OF-8...ARD-WINDOW-PENS-/331687643857?var=&hash=item0

 

[JPNissen]

I agree, I find soapstone to be the easiest to use without causing eye strain.


Mod Edit: Advertising link removed

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Don't use the paint markers/ liquid chalk pens from Halfrauds.
I was given some, they ran out quickly. I opened one up, the wick is 1/3 the length of the pen.

 

[Endeleus]

What shade lens are you using? I tend to use shade 5 for plasma cutting.... can't see anything through shade 9 (my normal mig setting)

 

[chunkolini]

I use a clear face mask if you keep the torch close to the metal you dont see the arc .
I have a green one I use sometimes as well.
I do a fair bit of freehand plasma work On bright metal I use marker pens, sharpies for delicate work and bolder ones for larger work, on dark I use chalk.
See example below. height about 1.2m