Cut Setting for 16 gauge steel - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

airplanes · 04-05-2011, 08:21 PM

I just damaged my torch and am taking the opportunity to evaluate my cut settings on my TM2x2 and HT45 with machine torch. Doing the speed and line test on 16 gauge steel I came out with a cut speed of 60ipm at 30 amps. This seems way off compared to what I see other people using and what the HT manual suggests. My voltage setting on the line test was about 108. Also is it possible that all sheets of 16 gauge steel wont run the same settings or do you have to repeat the speed and line test for each new sheet of 16 gauge metal?

MetalHeadzFab · 04-05-2011, 10:24 PM

I cut 16 gauge cold roll at 60ipm @ 30 amps. If there's alot of curves I will slow it down to maybe 55. My AVHC is usually set between 106-110. I'm using a cutmaster 52.

cobronco69 · 04-06-2011, 08:19 AM

depends, did some small pieces (2"x2") on 16ga yesterday at 45ipm @20amps.

jimcolt · 04-06-2011, 09:08 AM

Once you get the speed and amperage dialed in on a particular thickness of steel...usually the only variable you should adjust (for different steel....cold rolled, hot rolled, different supplier, etc.) is the speed. The height should always be at the torch manufacturers suggested height...the amperage can be anything...as long as it is less than or equal to the design amperage of the nozzle you are using. It is sometimes difficult with plasma to find a happy speed that is slow enough to cut intricate designs, yet fast enough to cut dross free.....as dross goes away with highe speeds generally!

Steel....even run of the mill A-36 steel....varies in its content of silicone and carbon....these two components affect dross. Rule of thumb...cold rolled steel sheet costs more, but generally cuts better. You can also buy "laser" plate.....which has a better surface uniformity and tighter control of carbon and silicone....and it is also a bit more pricey. More cost for material ma be well worth it if you have to factor in cut cleanup time. Another trick is to spray a light coating of mig anti spatter spray on the bottom of the plate.

Jim Colt

04-05-2011, 08:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
airplanes Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Member # 176654 Location: Billings, MT Posts: 137	Cut Setting for 16 gauge steel I just damaged my torch and am taking the opportunity to evaluate my cut settings on my TM2x2 and HT45 with machine torch. Doing the speed and line test on 16 gauge steel I came out with a cut speed of 60ipm at 30 amps. This seems way off compared to what I see other people using and what the HT manual suggests. My voltage setting on the line test was about 108. Also is it possible that all sheets of 16 gauge steel wont run the same settings or do you have to repeat the speed and line test for each new sheet of 16 gauge metal?

04-06-2011, 08:19 AM	#3 (permalink)
cobronco69 Granite Guru Join Date: Oct 2001 Member # 7410 Location: Palisade CO Posts: 666	depends, did some small pieces (2"x2") on 16ga yesterday at 45ipm @20amps. __________________ Battlement Fabrication Grand Junction, CO BattlementFab facebook

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04-05-2011, 10:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
MetalHeadzFab Newbie Join Date: Oct 2010 Member # 172100 Location: Waddell/Glendale,AZ Posts: 80	I cut 16 gauge cold roll at 60ipm @ 30 amps. If there's alot of curves I will slow it down to maybe 55. My AVHC is usually set between 106-110. I'm using a cutmaster 52.

04-06-2011, 09:08 AM	#4 (permalink)
jimcolt Rock God Join Date: Nov 2009 Member # 145912 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 1,253	Once you get the speed and amperage dialed in on a particular thickness of steel...usually the only variable you should adjust (for different steel....cold rolled, hot rolled, different supplier, etc.) is the speed. The height should always be at the torch manufacturers suggested height...the amperage can be anything...as long as it is less than or equal to the design amperage of the nozzle you are using. It is sometimes difficult with plasma to find a happy speed that is slow enough to cut intricate designs, yet fast enough to cut dross free.....as dross goes away with highe speeds generally! Steel....even run of the mill A-36 steel....varies in its content of silicone and carbon....these two components affect dross. Rule of thumb...cold rolled steel sheet costs more, but generally cuts better. You can also buy "laser" plate.....which has a better surface uniformity and tighter control of carbon and silicone....and it is also a bit more pricey. More cost for material ma be well worth it if you have to factor in cut cleanup time. Another trick is to spray a light coating of mig anti spatter spray on the bottom of the plate. Jim Colt