Plasma Cutters

[jimbo74]

So, I want to use a plasma cutter to torch some crossmembers and parts of the frame, also make some gussets and plate over the existing frame.....

What would be sufficient? I want to cut up to 1/4" thick, and as minimum of the frame thickness. I was doign some reading, and my compressor cant support the requirements of a plasma, will I need to get a larger compressor? what about using a compressed gas tank?

I am planning on renting the plasma from a local rental place, the "Miller Small Plasma Cutter" is $186 for the week. The next step up is "Miller 2050" and that is $325 for the week.

[Willy Mammoth]

What power requirements do these have? You will be able to plug into 115v anywhere, but the amp draw may prove to keep tripping breakers. A 220v machine will draw less amperage, but may be harder to find power for.

The larger unit will also cut longer between breaks, but if you are in no hurry save some cash and use the smaller one.

Air source could be a jobsite compressor for the small machine considering it has a short duty cycle anyway.

I use a Hypertherm Powermax380 for work and it does quite well except it likes to trip breakers on 115v. It can be wired 220v, but like I said before that is harder to come by on site.

[jimbo74]

ive got one of those harbor freight jobsite compressors, not sure on its specs, but its only got a 5 gal tank.... it will power a roofing nailer, but cant power an impact wrench for 10 seconds.. jsut looked it up, looks like 1-3/4 HP (rated) motor
Air delivery: 3.8 SCFM @ 90 PSI, 5.0 SCRM @ 40 PSI

[Willy Mammoth]

That should be ok for short cuts, but you may start to build up moisture as it heats up from running for long periods.

[jimbo74]

i could buy one of those dryer regulator combos and that would work right?

[southernoffroader]

If your gonna spend that much why not just buy a set of torches? You can buy the small Victor set at Sams Club for $130 and that just leaves the bottles. I don't know about Cali but you can buy a pair of medium bottles full for $300-$400 in Fl. I know that's a little more than $325 but you said your compressor is too small so that will cost you more if you need to rent one. If you can't afford to buy the bottles you can always rent them for much less. I own the same plasma that Willy Mammoth uses and I have never been able to get it to run properly on 115v, but it runs perfect on 220v. I love my plasma but it is nowhere near as useful as my torches. A torch can cut, weld, bend, heat, etc. but a plasma can only cut, and cut cleanly to about 3/4" no matter how big the unit. A torch can cut anything from sheet metal to 6" or so as long as it's steel.

[Hottrod81]

I have a Cambell Hause or whatever they are called and it runs a long time and build a lot of moisture.

[red]

i bought my oxy acetalyne torch on ebay, tanks and all for 250 bucks, works great (small tanks of course)