Plasma Cutters

[MEANMOM]

I JUST PURCHASED THE CHAMPION 10,000WELDER FOR MY HUSBAND, NOW HE INFORMED ME HE ALSO WANTS A PLASMA CUTTER. WHICH ONE IS THE BEST? I WAS THINKING ABOUT THE AIRFORCE 250A. NEED SOME INPUT FROM A MALE WHO KNOWS

[Guest]

Re: Plasma Cutters

Originally posted by MEANMOM
I JUST PURCHASED THE CHAMPION 10,000WELDER FOR MY HUSBAND, NOW HE INFORMED ME HE ALSO WANTS A PLASMA CUTTER. WHICH ONE IS THE BEST? I WAS THINKING ABOUT THE AIRFORCE 250A. NEED SOME INPUT FROM A MALE WHO KNOWS

You seem to hardly be a 'meanmom' to be buying your hubby a Champ 10k! Do they have any more, where you came from???

I think a compatible unit for the 10k would be an Airforce 400. The downside being you have to have an external air source for it, the upside is, it cuts better.

Your call.

[MEANMOM]

THANKS ROCKY D. THAT IS WHY I WAS ASKING, BECAUSE I THOUGHT MAYBE THE 250A WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER BECAUSE IT HAS THE AIR COMPRESSOR BUILT IN. BUT I WILL TAKE YOUR ADVICE INTO CONSIDERATION. THANKS AGAIN FOR THE HELP.

[harold]

More plasma questions

Rocky D
What can you tell me about the Miller Spectrum 625. It's on special right now but I hesitate because of some confusion on my part. In the manual they do not talk much about setting it up other than to set air pressure to 75 PSI for cutting or 55 PSI for gouging. The manual also suggests setting the amperage control to 35 amps for extended tip use and to use the torch travel speed to obtain a proper cut. The curve provided ( cutting speed vs thickness) 1/4" through 5/8" looks doable 50"min to 10" min but.. 16 ga through 1/8" is 400"/min to 200"/min.Ref manual page 17 and page 32. What are the true recommended thickness limits of this machine. I really can't afford 2 machines and need to find a good compromise if one exists. I asked the question once before but didn't get an answer.
Thanks

[Guest]

Re: More plasma questions

Originally posted by harold
Rocky D
What can you tell me about the Miller Spectrum 625. It's on special right now but I hesitate because of some confusion on my part. In the manual they do not talk much about setting it up other than to set air pressure to 75 PSI for cutting or 55 PSI for gouging. The manual also suggests setting the amperage control to 35 amps for extended tip use and to use the torch travel speed to obtain a proper cut. The curve provided ( cutting speed vs thickness) 1/4" through 5/8" looks doable 50"min to 10" min but.. 16 ga through 1/8" is 400"/min to 200"/min.Ref manual page 17 and page 32. What are the true recommended thickness limits of this machine. I really can't afford 2 machines and need to find a good compromise if one exists. I asked the question once before but didn't get an answer.
Thanks

The only units I have used are the Spectrum Thunder, and the 3080. However, I notice that when they specify the maximum thickness it will cut, it is quite difficult to do it by hand...it may do it, but it will be choppy. That's my experience with it. I have a heavy pipe project coming up over the Christmas shutdown, where I will be using my 3080 a lot, to do some fairly precision work, so I'll be learning more then. The important thing while cutting with plasma, is to be sure your flame is straight through the material from the torch, any deviation to the side, back or front will give you a slag heavy cut. That's when you change tips.

[BugEyedValiant]

Harold,

You dont have to worry about that cutter. You can cut sheetmetal with the high current setting or the low. The only time that you need to turn down the power is when you have a problem with not enough input power or when the extra current(heat) may distort what you are cutting.

[harold]

gas plasma

Tnx Rocky D and BugEyedValiant
Think I'll bite the bullet and order it today; that should fill up my toy box (at least as much as I can afford or momma will let me buy). Will keep you posted on my results
Thanks again and merry christmas to all