plasma cutting capacity

[Barry J]

I am still looking at buying a plasma, but after searching and a lot of reading I think maybe I should upgrade my future machine. From say a Miller 375 to a 625. Also I'm confused on the capacity ratings. What about minimum thickness? Will the Miller 625 machine loose it's quality of cut with very thin metal compared to a 375 or smaller machine? Also I have noticed much more reference to the Millers and Hypertherms compared to the Hobarts. If these (3) are basically the same machines why is this? Person preference and local availbility must play a big role in selection.

Thank you for any input.

Barry

[Sberry]

Just like truck engines, more power is a good thing. You can still go slow but a small engine hits its max output of power sooner than a big one, just wont go any faster. Buy the best machine you can, it is so much more versitile when its got the power.

[Scott V]

Sberry,that is what I think,so yellow it is! That is 0.750 mild steel at 90 amps,and even a girl can do it!

[cutter]

So, a Black & Decker Workmate is a plasma table?

[Sberry]

No substitute for horsepower. I have an older Lincoln Pro Cut 60, and I dont use it a lot on heavy plate but it cuts 1/2 well enough and I did cut a 7/8 cast plate with it, turned out nice. I wouldnt wish for a smaller machine and its good to have enough machine so cutting 1/4 material doesnt have the machine running on the top end.

[Scott V]

Originally posted by cutter
So, a Black & Decker Workmate is a plasma table?

Cutter it will just have to do until my plasmacam shows up in about a month.I will let you edit those pics also.

The old workmate was five bucks,and I would not sell it for ten.

[cutter]

Originally posted by Scott V
Cutter it will just have to do until my plasmacam shows up in about a month.I will let you edit those pics also.

You got it. Those old workmates are good for an amazing variety of jobs. I've got one "temporarily" supporting a cutoff saw, been there for 8 or 9 years, I guess.

[echo8287]

My workmate is a TV stand. Was that you in the picture Scott V? For a minute I thought it could have been me. Like S said this is one instance where bigger is better. I'd get the most power I could afford. David

[cutter]

Originally posted by echo8287
Was that you in the picture Scott V? For a minute I thought it could have been me. David

Scott V said, "and even a girl can do it!

cutter sez:
Maybe you need to look again, echo. Or have you been welding without your helmet again?

[big rig guy]

I run the Thermal Dynamic Cutmaster 50, clean cut up to 1/2 inch and severence cut to 3/4. Works excellent on sheet metal. Just make sure your consumables are in good shape.

Speaking of the female gender using a Plasma, did anyone see the older lady on Monster Garage last week doing the art work with a PLasma Cutter, impressed me.

My wife touches my Plasma, and I'II do her laundry, you know reds with whites, lol.

A Plasma is one of those machines where when you finally get one you wonder how you ever got by without one.

I especially like the Plasma on sheet aluminum. Fast cut, turn the power down to control heat.

happy new year

[Robert D Burns]

I have a Hypertherm 600...I went to all of the metal shop's in my little town and ask the pro's what the enjoy working with...Well Hypertherm was at all of the shops...I was wanting a Miller to match my mm251 and miller tig ...all BLUE...now I have a little GRAY looking at me...(ROSWELL)... And my 16 year old boy and 18 year old girl enjoys the Hypertherm...I have to hide a lot of my metal now.....LOL

[echo8287]

No See Em

Cutter that is Scotts girlfriend and I'm glad you pointed that out. I was looking and the blue jeans and T-shirt , AND my figure isn't that curved now that I look closer. David

[Mark Whiddon]

One thing that you may want to look at is the piercing ability. A plasma that will cut 1/2 will probably not pierce 1/2. If all you are doing is cutting from one end of the metal to the other it won't be a problem. If you have to make a bolt hole, etc. you may need the bigger machine. I have a 625 and it will pierce to 1/4 I believe, but it will sever up to 7/8. A big difference

[lschlack]

plasma

I have a 60 amp EASB plasma at the office, I have cut 1/2 inch as well as pierced the 1/2 web of an I beam, however I am confident that is at its limit regarding piercing, the cut was OK but again I would label anything above 1/2 inch as severing as well.

as much power as the wallet will allow if your going to work big stuff, I dont do lots at or above 1/2 so the smaller unit works fine, and if in doubt there is always the OA torch.