Plasma cutter advice

[Atlas Knife Company]

I just got a super cheap Cut50. Wow, it cuts like, well, a plasma cutter through thin steel. However, I can't see a damn thing. Even at the lowest setting, 9, I can't see anything other than the occasional spark. Paul recommends to use a "4", but I can't find a reasonable price helmet that goes that low. Any suggestions?

 

[Kentucky]

Cutting goggles, shade 3-6 can be had many places.

 

[Nathan the Machinist]

Yeah, you wear oxy acetylene goggles or dark sunglasses with plasma.

 

[Atlas Knife Company]

Thanks, guys. Cutting goggles it is.

 

[Mahoney]

I usually use #5 or #6 goggles with gold plated lenses when plasma cutting, but some auto darkening welding helmets can be left in the "off" position for plasma cutting and the off state is equivalent to about a #4 lens.

One useful trick to try with a plasma cutter is to use 1/4" plywood, masonite, or MDF to make edge guides or shape templates. it takes some of the stress out of trying to follow a marker line with the plasma cutter. Take the radius of your plasma cutter's tip into consideration when making the template so the cut part comes out the right size, and consider the templates disposable, they will eventually catch fire or get too charred to use.

 

[Kevin Powers]

Plasma can require up to shade 7 depending on what amperage you use. I'll see if I've got a chart.
Here's a decent one:
http://www.esabna.com/us/en/educati...ection-is-required-for-cnc-plasma-cutting.cfm

 

[Atlas Knife Company]

And just to reinforce how cheap these are, after not using it for a week it died. It has no spark, but everything still lights up fine. Luckily, it's still under it's 30 day warranty. I'll try another one, and another until I get one that works!

 

[12345678910]

You may have to check the spark gap if it has high frequency start.



You can use straight edges or templates to guide the cut.

 

[Drew Riley]

You're probably also aware of this, but the tips are consumable... sure you don't need a new tip? Ground clamp have a good connection?

 

[knifedude802]

More of the same -- use cutting goggles. New tips also go a long way once you start getting to the point where you can't make continuous cuts.

 

[kellygoose]

I have a cheap Cut50 that's lasted about 3 years now... very impressed. My auto darkening helmet works fine on the lowest setting, or in grind mode if I'm cutting low amps. Get yourself a standoff for it and like others said, make some jigs. I made a little track for mine that works great for cutting straight lines.