Plasma cutter - desirable features

[Paul Allwood]

Ok, so I've ordered a plasma cutter with on board compressor. The next size bigger that I can find locally requires 3 phase power supply which I don't have.

I've ordered a Unimig Envy cut 45.....

Sydney Tools

sydneytools.com.au

They didn't have it in stock, should see it in a week.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Ok, so I've ordered a plasma cutter with on board compressor. The next size bigger that I can find locally requires 3 phase power supply which I don't have.

I've ordered a Unimig Envy cut 45.....

Sydney Tools

sydneytools.com.au

They didn't have it in stock, should see it in a week.

Wow…..That looks like a pretty nice machine sir!!!!!!

Lots of cool features.

I think your going to be very happy with that one!



It bet it wont be long before you build a table for it, and have a go at CNC cutting!!!!

 

[Paul Allwood]

Wow…..That looks like a pretty nice machine sir!!!!!!

Lots of cool features.

I think your going to be very happy with that one!



It bet it wont be long before you build a table for it, and have a go at CNC cutting!!!!

Thanks. A CNC table isn't on the list at the moment, but most of the things I've been making lately haven't been on "the list" either. I find it's best to never say never.

 

[Hugo Habicht]

The 2 brands stocked by the big tool suppliers close to me are Unimog and Cigweld.

I was wondering already but seems to have been a Freudian typo... Did I spot a Unimog in one of your pictures? Drool...

I've ordered a Unimig Envy cut 45.....

A truly appropriate product name .... Drool drool

Congratulations to this fine machine!

I will have to restrict myself to 8mm with my Lidl supermarket plasma cutter for 120 quid ...

 

[Paul Allwood]

I was wondering already but seems to have been a Freudian typo... Did I spot a Unimog in one of your pictures? Drool...



A truly appropriate product name .... Drool drool

Congratulations to this fine machine!

I will have to restrict myself to 8mm with my Lidl supermarket plasma cutter for 120 quid ...

Oops - you might be right.

Yes, you may have spotted a Unimog in the background in some of my pics. We have a 1983 ex Australian Army UL1700 Unimog. It's slow and pretty heavy on fuel, but seems to get most places pretty well.



Another long list of projects.

 

[Hugo Habicht]

Now this is a pretty cool vehicle you own there

A friend was driving them in the Army. He told me: "if you cannot get through with a Unimog, you cannot get through with any vehicle".

I always loved the portal axles and I really had to laugh at some "Jeeps" that barely had more clearance under the differential than my Volkswagen Passat at the time.

 

[Paul Allwood]

Let the games begin....

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Oh man!!!!!!!

I think you are in for a very pleasant surprise sir!!

Plasma cutters are a “game changer” for sure….especially a "nice one" like that!

 

[McMXi]

Let the games begin....

View attachment 173642

UNIMIG .... UNIMOG ... it's hard to keep up. Congrats on the plasma cutter though. It's a lot more capable than the one I've had for 25+ years. I'll resist the temptation to upgrade mine until I've made a decision on a plasma table.

Looking forward to seeing more of your projects that will no doubt feature this latest addition.

 

[Hugo Habicht]

Oh man!!!!!!!

I think you are in for a very pleasant surprise sir!!
Plasma cutters are a “game changer” for sure….especially a "nice one" like that!

Cut some steel today with my 120 quid Lidl cutter. Limiting factor here is not the machine but the operators hand jitter factor. A CNC controlled cutter would really be desirable...

 

[Paul Allwood]

I've got some stuff to learn, but it cuts.

I tried the new toy cutting a piece of 5mm and a piece of 12mm mild steel. Both are pretty rough and had a lot of dross to chip off, but it cuts.

Next job - maybe I'll have a read of the instructions.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

A couple of things about “dross” in general.

In my semi-limited experiences, I have found that using a “wide chisel” bit works pretty well for dross removal on thicker material, and saves some time.






On some of my “thinner” projects with less dross, a “cupped wire wheel” works better than a sanding disk, especially where you are concerned with surface finish.




However you do have to watch out for that damn wheel. If it catches the edge of small/thin pieces the wrong way, it will send it flying like a “Ninja throwing star"





Total elimination of dross is the “ultimate goal”, but I have yet to attain that goal.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Cut some steel today with my 120 quid Lidl cutter. Limiting factor here is not the machine but the operators hand jitter factor. A CNC controlled cutter would really be desirable...

I have the same “jitter problem”.

I really try to use “straight edges” and/or “patterns” when doing freehand stuff.

Admittedly though, thats not always possible/practicable.

 

[Hugo Habicht]

I have the same “jitter problem”.

I really try to use “straight edges” and/or “patterns” when doing freehand stuff.

Admittedly though, thats not always possible/practicable.

Yes, I did that too, and a bit lot of milling / grinding afterwards. But direction is one thing, cutting speed the other. Sometimes the torch "jams" and when it come free too quickly you know why you wear welding protection.

 

[trikepilot]

Maybe while great suggestions are being offered on plasma cutter features, some of you more experienced types can also weigh in on air driers for the plasma cutter?

I am a hobbyist welder and plasma cutter user so I do not need something pricey that provides lotsa volume to a plasma machine. I would like to get a simple air drier that i can fit inline to my system and not break the bank. I see all kinds of super cheap chinesium stuff at amazon that makes me wonder if it is any good. Does anyone have any direct experience with inexpensive air driers that are actually good?

 

[Hugo Habicht]

Maybe while great suggestions are being offered on plasma cutter features, some of you more experienced types can also weigh in on air driers for the plasma cutter?

I am a hobbyist welder and plasma cutter user so I do not need something pricey that provides lotsa volume to a plasma machine. I would like to get a simple air drier that i can fit inline to my system and not break the bank. I see all kinds of super cheap chinesium stuff at amazon that makes me wonder if it is any good. Does anyone have any direct experience with inexpensive air driers that are actually good?

Why is an air dryer required?

 

[trikepilot]

Why is an air dryer required?

Plasma machines require clean and dry air to optimize cut and reduce wear on consumables.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Maybe while great suggestions are being offered on plasma cutter features, some of you more experienced types can also weigh in on air driers for the plasma cutter?

I am a hobbyist welder and plasma cutter user so I do not need something pricey that provides lotsa volume to a plasma machine. I would like to get a simple air drier that i can fit inline to my system and not break the bank. I see all kinds of super cheap chinesium stuff at amazon that makes me wonder if it is any good. Does anyone have any direct experience with inexpensive air driers that are actually good?

I am not claiming to be “experienced”, but here is my procedure/set up.

#1. I drain my compressor tank on a regular basis. Especially “just before” I fire up my machine.

#2. I have a “desiccant” style dryer first.

#3. lastly, I have a Motoguard “toilet paper roll” style filter at the end.

This is a pretty “low cost” system and seems to be a “decent beginners set up”.


I am kicking around the idea of adding a “refrigerated” air cooler as well, but that is kinda “far down” on my list of things to do at this point.

IMHO, cut "speed and feed” rates have had the biggest impact on the quality of my cuts.

 

[trikepilot]

I see MANY permutations of these types of air dryers at Amazon



I cant afford a refrigerated dryer. I rarely run my plasma cutter - maybe 1-2x a month at most. I actually infrequently use air at all so I am strongly inclined to give one of these a whirl and see what they are like. I would keep my expectations tempered, of course, but I would also steer clear if anyone here has run something like these and had poor results.

 

[Hugo Habicht]

I cant afford a refrigerated dryer. I rarely run my plasma cutter - maybe 1-2x a month at most. I actually infrequently use air at all so I am strongly inclined to give one of these a whirl and see what they are like. I would keep my expectations tempered, of course, but I would also steer clear if anyone here has run something like these and had poor results.

This is what I am using, a water / oil separator, also used for spray painting. Works for me and I am happy with the result, but then again I do not operate professional equipment like @Runs With Scissors