plasma cutter

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krap22

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Sep 2, 2008
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Any one have any experience with cutting knife blanks with a plasma cutter? I have a friend that has a plasma cutter and i was contemplating using it vs the drill and cut with a hacksaw.
 
It will work. Just be aware you'll have some cleanup to do of the edges, and it's a good idea to very slightly oversize the cut so that you can grind /file away the rough/burned edge.

--nathan
 
if your good with the plasma cutter it will be much much faster and the clean up wont be bad at all.
Have you tried torch cutting blanks? Wont work for stainless of course
 
I don't have much for metal working tools. I've done mostly wood working so most of my power tools won't work for metal.

Will the plasma cutter work on stainless?
 
Plasma cutters will cut anything that conducts electricity, although the ease of cutting will vary, depending on their melting point.
 
they work great!! the heat transfer is minimal, and so is metal flow left behind. if you have a pattern, simply put the head against it, and follow it around. end results.....a near perfect blank. it is best if the pattern is a bit undersized, to compensate for the head, which is generaly 1/4" give or take, from edge to the air hole. i have used plasma cutters for years, and have cut everything from aluminum to stainless.
 
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Just make sure you don't stick it to the work, does not take much to cook a tip. Keep your tip clean and you will love the results.
 
krap22 said:
Any one have any experience with cutting knife blanks with a plasma cutter? I have a friend that has a plasma cutter and i was contemplating using it vs the drill and cut with a hacksaw.
Click to expand...

Hey krap22 i hope you don't mind if i ask a question, i have made a few knifes out of old skill saw blades and was wondering if a plazma cutter would take out temper of the blade by cutting it. The knifes work great and don't have to heat treat because they are already hardend.



Thanks mi-fordson
 
Plasma cutters will detemper a small area around the cut, from a fraction of an inch to an inch, depending. Remember, plasma cutters work by melting the metal, and then blowing it away. The thicker the material, the slower you cut, and the bigger this zone will be.
 
I'm not to worried about the plasma cutter detempering the metal. All of the cuts will be done before the knife is hardened.
 
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