All you Plasma Cutter owners.......

[triggerman]

First the question:

How long (in feet/inches or minutes/seconds) is your AVERAGE cut?

Here's why:

I am gearing up to order my first plasma machine and am in a quandary about which one to buy. I would like to oversize it (thank you all for that recommendation) with a Spectrum 625; however, my compressor is rated for 4.5 cfm and the 625 requires 6 cfm. The Spectrum 375 requires 4.5 (nice match) and is rated to handle my needs. My compressor recovers quickly and I would like to do some testing to determine if my compressor feeding through a drier and a secondary tank could supply a 625 running at the rated 50% duty cycle. Thanks for your input. WHEW!

[jfsmith]

I have a 100 gallon Aux bottle on my compressor to help keep the volume up. Average cut, no such things in my shop.

My cutter is a Thermadyne Pak Master 75 XL. Works great for me. Check them out on the web and talk to your local dealer about cutters.

Jerry

[ronnielyons]

I rarely go more than 4 foot long before I have to stop, reset the straight edge, stretch the back muscles, etc. It gives my 80 gallon time to catch up. Most of the time (95%) my cuts are less than 2 foot in length.
Ronnie

[drewworm]

We have a plasma cutter thread going in the motorsports forum. Thread relates to cutting capacity, pics of cuts, the whole thing. Can't remember the title of the thread, but it is currently ongoing.

[fun4now]

you should probly figure in the $$ of a new compressor with the cutter purchase. if you are only putting out 4.5 at 90 psi you need more air.
HD has a nice 60gal huskiy air compressor for around $400 as dose TSC. i would go that rought if i were you. no point in spending the extra $$ on a larger cutter only to skimp on the air side. if you are going to go big then go big all the way threw the system or the week link will kill ya.
i have had the husky for a few years now and am verry happy with it.
if you are only pushing 4.5 at 60psi you will still have problems with the spec375 it seems acording to another post.save a lil longer and do it right the first time, you will be happyer in the long run. more air will help every thing run better and when you get ready to add a sand blater cab. you will already have the air needed for it.

[triggerman]

The testing continues, but I have decided to go ahead and get the 375-X for its portability. I foresee most of my cuts being short to cut material on the job and will probably be using nitrogen anyway.

Thanks for the input and the info on the other board.

[harcosparky]

Yeah whatever you do, DO NOT starve the cutter for AIR. The results will not be well.

Also do not skimp on air hose leading to plasma cutter.

I have the 375 and my compressor can supply more than it needs, was feeding it though 25 feet of 3/8" and the results were good. Switch to 25 feet of 1/2" hose and things got better.

Remember that plasma cutter wants TONS of DRY air. Do not forget to factor in some method of drying the air. A Motor Guard Filter would be the minimum.

I woulda bought the 625 but would have needed more money for the cutter and more for a larger air supply.

[Jetmekdc-10]

testing123

[klsm54]

The testing continues, but I have decided to go ahead and get the 375-X for its portability. I foresee most of my cuts being short to cut material on the job and will probably be using nitrogen anyway.

Thanks for the input and the info on the other board.

I think you'll be much happier if you stick to your original choice. Nothing wrong with the 375, it's just on the small side. You'll find a lot more uses for the larger machine, and it is still plenty portable.

[triggerman]

This past week, I got to put some mileage on a Spectrum Thunder P/C. I was impressed with its performance on sheets of mild steel, but ran out of testing time before I got to cut the stainless I've been saving for my test. I have a customer talked into purchasing a Spectrum X-treme 375 and will get to play with it when it arrives. After that, I plan to burn some plate and pipe with one of the 625s in our fab shop. Will let y'all know.

Thanks for the feedback,