Plasma cutter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Broussard USA
Plasma cutter
I just bought a Lincoln Pro Cut 25 plasma cutter and have been trying it out some. I am getting a good bit of slag and not a great cut. I am sure it is my lack of technique so any tips would be great here!
Thanks
Thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,643
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From: NE Texas
Daimon, I'm a cutting torch man myself, but I know a little about the plasmas. If you're traveling at the right speed for the setting and plate size, keeping the tip at 90 degrees and air at 65 psi or so, then it should cut clean. Of course there are variables like tip size - the thinnner the metal the smaller the tip and the smaller the better.
But if you're like me there might be a short between the holder and the shoulder
...and getting used to the plasma cutter is the main thing.
If you don't get the response here you need you might try posting in the Garage forum.
But if you're like me there might be a short between the holder and the shoulder
...and getting used to the plasma cutter is the main thing.If you don't get the response here you need you might try posting in the Garage forum.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: fremont ohio
im like big orn, i use oxy-acet as well, but ive used a plasma cutter a few times. the guy showing me how to do it well told me the same. keep a 90deg to the metal, and make sure you have enuf air to blow out all the slag. also make sure you move at the right speed as well. too slow and you wont get the straightest cut, too fast and it doesnt cut. dont worry though, it just takes practice.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: winston, Oregon
I have one and use it all the time. I have a hypertherm with a 45deg head . first off make sure your air is set correct and as far as voltage I usually run mine wide open .
It is always better to drag towards you than to push, and when ever possible use a straight edge and a couple of clamps as a guide.
If your having a lot of slag then your not cutting fast enough if you go to fast then it dont cut all the way through, it takes some practice but you will get it.
Next thing always hold the tip as straight up and down as possible , and some times when piercing you may want to hold it off the metal about an 1/8,I believe in my own mind that this saves your tips , if you pierce alot get a lot of tips.
Well i dont know if this helps or makes sense but it is late and im tired, if you need to know any more just ask.
It is always better to drag towards you than to push, and when ever possible use a straight edge and a couple of clamps as a guide.
If your having a lot of slag then your not cutting fast enough if you go to fast then it dont cut all the way through, it takes some practice but you will get it.
Next thing always hold the tip as straight up and down as possible , and some times when piercing you may want to hold it off the metal about an 1/8,I believe in my own mind that this saves your tips , if you pierce alot get a lot of tips.
Well i dont know if this helps or makes sense but it is late and im tired, if you need to know any more just ask.
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Broussard USA
Thanks for the info guys!
I was away but have been practicing and am getting pretty good, I do some stainless and aloy stuff so oxidation cutting just will not do it.
Some of the things I found were as said speed, you can go a lot faster than you think or at least I thought. Also the distance you keep the tip from the work, in this case very close is the ticket. For a thinner curf and 0 slag turn down the voltage but like drzman I am a wide open cutter. Also as towrig302 said a straight edge, I use a piece of stainless because the tip seams to be magnitized (electromagnetic thing I guess) and if I use steel it sticks to it.
Now if I was not so fricken shakey it would be great. lol
I was away but have been practicing and am getting pretty good, I do some stainless and aloy stuff so oxidation cutting just will not do it.
Some of the things I found were as said speed, you can go a lot faster than you think or at least I thought. Also the distance you keep the tip from the work, in this case very close is the ticket. For a thinner curf and 0 slag turn down the voltage but like drzman I am a wide open cutter. Also as towrig302 said a straight edge, I use a piece of stainless because the tip seams to be magnitized (electromagnetic thing I guess) and if I use steel it sticks to it.
Now if I was not so fricken shakey it would be great. lol
