Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: chrisgixer on 02 July 2014, 01:25:27

Title: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: chrisgixer on 02 July 2014, 01:25:27
Spoke to Master a while back about this and obviously he gave me all the details, good chap that he is.

...I didn't write them down though. :-[
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: chrisgixer on 02 July 2014, 01:37:23
?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PLASMA-CUTTER-30Amp-240V-12mm-Cut-Free-Cons-worth-94-0-Finance-Available-/191231629969?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2c864b1a91
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: aaronjb on 02 July 2014, 07:54:37
Maybe have a look here and see what their recommendations are? http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/forums/plasma-cutters.34/

Be careful on eBay - a friend of mine bought one from there and it came with a 13A plug containing a piece of steel bar as a fuse...
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 02 July 2014, 08:07:49
R-Tech P30C

http://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/welding_equipment/Plasma_Cutter

Very very good and very good support
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: Nick W on 02 July 2014, 08:34:22
Just how much are you going to use it? It's been more than a year since I plugged mine in, and I've done a fair amount of metalwork since then.
Unless you already have a good welder, angle grinders, clamps and all the other bits and pieces, you could spend £400 much more usefully.
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 02 July 2014, 09:06:23
I guess it depends on your plans, mine gets used a lot  :y
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: chrisgixer on 02 July 2014, 09:20:17
Just how much are you going to use it? It's been more than a year since I plugged mine in, and I've done a fair amount of metalwork since then.
Unless you already have a good welder, angle grinders, clamps and all the other bits and pieces, you could spend £400 much more usefully.

That's not really the point. Its a case of what else the job is holding up. Which is far, far more important.

Not the most helpful post either Nick, given the question.
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: chrisgixer on 02 July 2014, 09:23:27
R-Tech P30C

http://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/welding_equipment/Plasma_Cutter

Very very good and very good support

Perfect, thankyou Mark. Very helpful. As always  :-*
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: omega2018 on 02 July 2014, 11:51:53
ive got a ct520 plasma cutter, welder and tig all in one.  very pleased with it slices through 15mm steel no problem which is what i bought it for. i paid £325 new  i see they are now £299 on ebay inc free angle grinder, search for ct520.  had to reconnect the internal earth lead when it arrived  - it is made in china but no probs since £299 to cut up to 18mm steel bargain
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: tunnie on 02 July 2014, 17:11:09
Can I have a go if you get one, they look like fun  :D
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: Kevin Wood on 02 July 2014, 17:35:54
Can I have a go if you get one, they look like fun  :D

Perfect for a 4 pot estate conversion, I'd say. :y If that doesn't go well, we'll turn it into a barbecue.  :D
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: TheBoy on 02 July 2014, 19:23:29
R-Tech P30C

http://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/welding_equipment/Plasma_Cutter

Very very good and very good support
How spooky is that :o

Still, cut and paste made it easy


(for others, I PM'd MDTM pretty much an identical question last night!)
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: chrisgixer on 03 July 2014, 04:34:16
R-Tech P30C

http://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/welding_equipment/Plasma_Cutter

Very very good and very good support
How spooky is that :o

Still, cut and paste made it easy


(for others, I PM'd MDTM pretty much an identical question last night!)

Ge'roff, its mine. Mine mine mine ;D


Although, do we really need two between us?
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: r1 on 03 July 2014, 07:49:50
I just want to use one to see how I get on with it.
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 03 July 2014, 08:24:10
I just want to use one to see how I get on with it.

Come and have a go with my plasma cutter if you want
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: aaronjb on 03 July 2014, 10:25:07
Can I have a go if you get one, they look like fun  :D

They are by far the easiest way to set light to the sound deadening foam in the back of an old Jag..

Don't ask how I know.. ;D I blame Stuart..
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: Kevin Wood on 03 July 2014, 10:39:38
Can I have a go if you get one, they look like fun  :D

They are by far the easiest way to set light to the sound deadening foam in the back of an old Jag..

Don't ask how I know.. ;D I blame Stuart..

Ahh, yes. The "XJ12 compact". :D

Or.. "Ways to risk destroying your garage Number.." well, One's clearly taken already so.. "2." ::)
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: aaronjb on 03 July 2014, 10:44:52
 ;D ;D Yes, next I'll try seeing if I can set light to things with my new welder ;)

Definitely the quickest way to dismantle a car short of a gas axe, though!
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: r1 on 03 July 2014, 17:11:58
I just want to use one to see how I get on with it.

Come and have a go with my plasma cutter if you want

might take you up on that
give me a shout when you doing something with it.
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: Nick W on 03 July 2014, 17:39:14
;D ;D Yes, next I'll try seeing if I can set light to things with my new welder ;)

Definitely the quickest way to dismantle a car short of a gas axe, though!

They're not as good for that as you think. Performance drop once you try cutting double-skinned panels, or flanges.

The best thing for cutting up a car is a big disc cutter, which will rip through all the awkward areas in no time. I used to be able to cut a stripped Capri into manageable chunks in 15 minutes.
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: biggriffin on 03 July 2014, 18:14:01
;D ;D Yes, next I'll try seeing if I can set light to things with my new welder ;)

Definitely the quickest way to dismantle a car short of a gas axe, though!

They're not as good for that as you think. Performance drop once you try cutting double-skinned panels, or flanges.

The best thing for cutting up a car is a big disc cutter, which will rip through all the awkward areas in no time. I used to be able to cut a stripped Capri into manageable chunks in 15 minutes.

tooltime voice. Rrrr big disc cutter, petrol powered,. 2nd the above ::)  :y
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: chrisgixer on 16 July 2014, 23:37:56
Arrived today. Disc cutter of no use what so ever for what I needed it for ::)

Nice one Mark, thankyou. :y
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 17 July 2014, 08:13:23
Have fun and remember to make sure you connect the ground connection before you pull the trigger or the pilot arc can give you a bit of a belt  ;D :D
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: Gaffers on 17 July 2014, 08:19:44
Have fun and remember to make sure you connect the ground connection before you pull the trigger or the pilot arc can give you a bit of a belt  ;D :D

I take it there is some precedence to that remark ::) ;D
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: chrisgixer on 17 July 2014, 11:46:51
Indeed, how does Master know this ;D ;D


Having finished with the plasma cutter. There was a milisecnd where I wondered why the welder wasn't working though. Hmmm, that ground clamp looks quite new "Wrong ground clamp you twonk" ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: Gaffers on 17 July 2014, 12:09:17
Yooouuuuu plonker Rodney! ;D
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: chrisgixer on 17 July 2014, 13:54:58
::) ;D




I'm using a welding mask for this. I noticed master used goggles....? :-\
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: Gaffers on 17 July 2014, 13:58:06
(http://casting.modelbuzz.tv/files/2012/12/Casting-hiring-male-models-for-International-CES-trade-show-to-be-Doc-Brown-from-Back-to-the-Future.jpg)
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: 05omegav6 on 17 July 2014, 14:00:43
(http://casting.modelbuzz.tv/files/2012/12/Casting-hiring-male-models-for-International-CES-trade-show-to-be-Doc-Brown-from-Back-to-the-Future.jpg)
;D

Suspect full mask gives better protection, whilst goggles offer greater flexibility :-\
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: Gaffers on 17 July 2014, 14:34:51
You can't be a mad scientist the master wearing a full mask.  That's just creepy ;D
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: 05omegav6 on 17 July 2014, 15:12:59
You can't be a mad scientist the master wearing a full mask.  That's just Dazzle ;D
Fixed :y
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: chrisgixer on 17 July 2014, 19:35:17
Of course with all that oppsing about getting the welder working, it promptly ran out of wire just as I got it sussed. Sigh...

Off to the a local welding supplies. Other side of Not Reading. Ask for wire, oh, yes. This one? 20kg. Er looks a bit big, not sure that will go on. Got anything smaller? Er.....

Off to the internet. Halfords of all places. Round the corner from my house ::) On arrival they have a good range of supplies, which surprised me, from small gas bottles to masks. And wire. :y


Good job I went for the smaller roll. The holder spindle is plastic, not convinced it would take 20kg.

But all up and running again. :y
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: aaronjb on 17 July 2014, 20:58:10
FWIW 2woody did all of the plasma cutting on the Jag with just sunglasses on..
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: chrisgixer on 17 July 2014, 21:02:59
Hmmm. Thinking about it, I wear glasses. So would need to be a mask anyway, which won't go any lighter. (Its on its lightest setting already)
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: chrisgixer on 23 July 2014, 20:14:47
Is it normal for the tip to stick to the work piece? It's not bad, just hinders a smooth cutting action occasionally.

If I set the mask to grinder, will that give enough protection for plasma cutting?
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 23 July 2014, 20:52:27
I use a set of shade 5 goggles, usually it will stick if you get metal between the tip and the steel so make sure the tip drags along the surface
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: chrisgixer on 23 July 2014, 21:28:46
Thanks Mark.

And, I'm welding a painted part. Some of the welds have air pockets.

Is this the paint gassing up and causing bubbles in the weld pool?
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: Nick W on 23 July 2014, 21:33:03
Welding on paint is best avoided. Electric welding in particular should be done on clean, shiny metal. Run the angle grinder along the joint before you start, and you'll get a much better weld for a lot less effort.
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: chrisgixer on 23 July 2014, 21:48:14
Welding on paint is best avoided. Electric welding in particular should be done on clean, shiny metal. Run the angle grinder along the joint before you start, and you'll get a much better weld for a lot less effort.

Yeah I did that on the edges, but it looks like I should of done the sides as well. Plus, its two layers sanswhiched together, and there's paint in the gap. :(


I really didn't want to get the nitro morse out. Evil bloody stuff.
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: Nick W on 23 July 2014, 22:00:22
Heat gun and a scraper/wire brush?
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: chrisgixer on 23 July 2014, 22:30:06
Heat gun and a scraper/wire brush?

Ah, didn't think of the heat gun. Got one in the cupboard too. ::) :y
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: Andy H on 23 July 2014, 22:39:14
I prefer a wire cup brush on the angle grinder for getting back to shiny metal free of paint/grease/rust.

I have read that a flap wheel also works well but I haven't tried one yet.
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: chrisgixer on 23 July 2014, 22:43:11
I prefer a wire cup brush on the angle grinder for getting back to shiny metal free of paint/grease/rust.

I have read that a flap wheel also works well but I haven't tried one yet.

Yeah its an irregular surface, rotary tools can't get in the ledge so well. Ordinarily a disc type tool would do. :)
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: chrisgixer on 19 August 2014, 20:55:00
Cranked the plasma up today. Bit of practice and grinding the top surface of the metal to give a good contact and it cuts 8mm steal without too much bother. :y although I want convinced it was capable of 8mm to start with.
 New tip internals, scouring the metal, a perfectly vertical torch angle and slooooow cut rate keeps the tip clean and gives a clean cut.

But the question is, re tip internals, the internal part looks reversible. Or double ended. Can it be turned round and both ends used? Or is it buggered and that's it?


....pic might help if needed.
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 19 August 2014, 21:01:56
Welding on paint is best avoided. Electric welding in particular should be done on clean, shiny metal. Run the angle grinder along the joint before you start, and you'll get a much better weld for a lot less effort.

Yeah I did that on the edges, but it looks like I should of done the sides as well. Plus, its two layers sanswhiched together, and there's paint in the gap. :(


I really didn't want to get the nitro morse out. Evil bloody stuff.


paint stripper but dont touch with bare hand ..  then clean with celulosic thinner
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: biggriffin on 19 August 2014, 21:12:04
Ffs just wizz along with a soft pad, to clean the area to be welded, then weld it.
Title: Re: Plasma cutter recommendation
Post by: chrisgixer on 19 August 2014, 21:18:44
Ffs just wizz along with a soft pad, to clean the area to be welded, then weld it.

....with a plasma cutter? ;D