Plasma or O/A

[BrokenBiker]

just for cutting purposes, which is better out of plasma cutter (40amp) or o/a with a cutting torch?

which leaves the better finish, which cuts deeper? faster?

 

[AndyStobbs]

40a plasma isn't going to cut anything like the thickness you could achieve with a 1/16" o/a nozzle.

 

[oilcooled :)]

Personally I don't like plasma but your using a small 40 amp plasma so your gonna be cutting 8 mm down to sheet. Gas is kinda better for 8mm And up I find, as it puts to much heat into the work piece, And it distorts all over the place. I'm making a 12 foot by 7 foot trailer with a 5 mm mild steel floor, I have plasma and gas, I cut the 8 by 4 sheets with the 9 inch grinder to avoid distortion.

 

[BrokenBiker]

i usually only cut 6mm and up with the gas and use the grinder for thinner.

haven't got a plasma yet but have been watching my friend work with his and it is brilliant for cutting profiles out of sheet, but i would have to sell the gas to make space for the plasma and to be able to afford a plasma unit

 

[norlander]

I think you are into motorcycles like me, I have OA but I'm going for plasma as it looks good for thin sheet and cutting intricate shapes in sheet and it will cut aluminium too apparently.
You need a compressor of course.
I want it mainly for cutting out shapes and signs in sheet, but if it will cut 3/4mm alloy plate that would be a bonus.

 

[brightspark]

I think you are into motorcycles like me, I have OA but I'm going for plasma as it looks good for thin sheet and cutting intricate shapes in sheet and it will cut aluminium too apparently.
You need a compressor of course.
I want it mainly for cutting out shapes and signs in sheet, but if it will cut 3/4mm alloy plate that would be a bonus.

u can get plasma cutters with built in compressors

 

[norlander]

u can get plasma cutters with built in compressors

Good point -I forgot about those-ideal for site work I would think, and also if you don't have a lot of space.The mini compressor would be working flatout though?-I'm guessing as I have no experience of plasma.
On the other hand, having a seperate pressor lets you play with air tools which make an ace pro shop type noise and it sounds like I really know what I'm doing

 

[Mr shiney]

I have an Eastwood 40amp plasma and it will cut 12mm no problem. You just have to go slow and have the air up at 60psi. It cuts thin stuff like a knife through butter with no heat distortion.

For really thick stuff I use the OA kit. I have cut thin sheet with OA using a step cutter but it's not as good as the plasma.

 

[BrokenBiker]

how much is a cutter without its own compressor?

I have a compressor already that will run well above the needs of a plasma cutter

 

[Mr shiney]

I paid about £400 for the Eastwood one that I bought. Uses a standard CB50 torch and has actually been a really good cutter despite the first one being DOA!!

Its seems to cut way above its claimed weight and on thin stuff it's liking using scissors on paper. Very clean cuts with no distortion. I made a birthday card out of thin steel for someone cutting an image into it and the words!!

 

[Wedg1e]

I have a 30A Oerlikon Citocut 10i that is claimed to be able to 'sever' 10mm with a max. of about 8mm clean cut in mild steel. I've cut 6mm without too much trouble although it is slow by that point.
For car body-thickness it's almost as fast to draw the torch along a straight-edge as it is to run a marker pen along it!