[zachv]

I ordered a Hypertherm 380 plasma cutter a few days ago. Well my wife calls me at work and tells me a "big, heavy box" was delivered today so I quickly made up a bogus story and left work an hour early to go play.

After getting it all hooked up I cut my firt peice of scrap...and lo and behold they really DO cut through steel like a hot knife through butter!!! After writing my name in script I decided to see how actually working with it would be so I made a difficult set of rockers with curved cuts for Stilgar and they came out great! This thing is awesome! I started to get tired, but I wanted to try something, so here is a free-hand cut based on the great decals Pfunk made for me:

Is that cool or what??!!
Here is the decal that Pfunk on this board made for me so you all have an idea of what I was trying to accomplish:

Ain't it great to be a little kid excited about a new toy? This was one expensive toy, though, but still a well spent Grand!

 

[Krawwler]

those are awesome

 

[James K]

I've been using a friends plasma cutter for my rebuild this year,and they kick ass. Its amazing what they will do.

 

[jeepinblackdog]

How much did it cost ya? and where did you get it.

 

[das_jeepinator]

it's kind of like going form a grinder/ die grinder to a flame wrench
only you are steeping up form the falme wrench to the plasma cutter they are great aren't they

let alone you have a new toy............er Tool thats what I meant to type

 

[indysand]

It will never work out man. At some point she will burn ya, and cut ya to the bone.

Phil

 

[bulldozer]

If this is your first plasma cutter, be sure to keep the tip clean. It makes all the difference in the cuts. I probably swap my tips out more often than I should just to keep a good, clean tip on there.

Have you tried it on 3/4" yet?

 

[zachv]

It will never work out man. At some point she will burn ya, and cut ya to the bone.

Phil

That is some funny shiat! Another guy posted something to that extent on another board, but that takes the cake.

The unit was $975 plus $25 shipping from Harris Welding Supply in Ohio, and I can't say enough about their service and shipping efficiency. it was less than 48 hours from order to delivery! For $25, I think that is damn good.

 

[zachv]

If this is your first plasma cutter, be sure to keep the tip clean. It makes all the difference in the cuts. I probably swap my tips out more often than I should just to keep a good, clean tip on there.

Have you tried it on 3/4" yet?

Thanks for the "tip". I will keep them clean and new. I have not tried 3/4" yet, since I have none around, but I am gonna get some scraps this weekend at the steel yard to play with.

 

[spoolnaround]

good grief














































Ok so I am a jealous SOB! :flipoff2: :flipoff2: Have fun with the new toy

 

[rkcrawl]

If this is your first plasma cutter, be sure to keep the tip clean. It makes all the difference in the cuts. I probably swap my tips out more often than I should just to keep a good, clean tip on there.

Have you tried it on 3/4" yet?

3/4"? That unit is rated to 3/8". Recommends 1/4", 3/8" max cut and 1/2" severance.

They are fun though

 

[zachv]

My question is this: in the manual is says to keep a 1/16" gap between the material and torch, but I have also heard of people dragging the tip, what is the best way? I was under the impression that I only had to use the gap if I was close to the max cut thickness.

 

[mobil1syn]

My question is this: in the manual is says to keep a 1/16" gap between the material and torch, but I have also heard of people dragging the tip, what is the best way? I was under the impression that I only had to use the gap if I was close to the max cut thickness.

depends on the tip, there are tips designed to be drug. i would say call the place you got it from or the manufacturer and ask. i would say drag it because it make cutting easier. youll go through tips quickly if you leave too big a gap between the tip and material. they are nice to have though. is it 220 or 110?

 

[Booger Weldz]

wait til you see all the little tabs, gussets and spring hangers you can make if you lay a straight edge down and run the wand tip along it i have the 380, itll do 1/4" easy with a fresh tip and a slow pass, itll go thicker but take a couple passes and get a little sloppy lookin....keep your air dry or itll make it all look sloppy...

mobil1syn, its 110 or 220

 

[zachv]

is it 220 or 110?

Yes. It is switchable between 110 and 220. I currently have it set up for 220.

 

[mobil1syn]

wait til you see all the little tabs, gussets and spring hangers you can make if you lay a straight edge down and run the wand tip along it i have the 380, itll do 1/4" easy with a fresh tip and a slow pass, itll go thicker but take a couple passes and get a little sloppy lookin....keep your air dry or itll make it all look sloppy...

mobil1syn, its 110 or 220

not bad, i had access to one when i bobbed my bed and i was nice to have. i wish i had it when i mad my flatbed. cutting diamond plate with a sawzall sucks big time. looks like ill have to start savin my pennies.

 

[steveh]

I just picked up a used Miller Spectrum 300 last week, and the guys at Barnes Welding here in Sac, CA, told me to maintain the 1/16" gap as well. It will cut cleaner and the tips will last longer was the reason, so I'd go with the manual. They ordered me a guide like this one for $20. They also recomended I get a good dryer/filter on the air inlet of the cutter

plasma standoff roller guide

 

[Old Scout]

Stop farting around with :rainbow: signs. I borrowed a buddies plasma at Lunch today and made this in 5/16:

 

[zachv]

Think it is thick enough??

BTW, I love your statement in your signature the best on this site. Can't we invade there after we get done with Iraq? They need a real leader.

 

[jo85cj7]

I don't like the drag tips they get boogered up fast what I found worked best was 2x2 angle its tall enough to only touch the plastic part of the torch and it leaves the perfect gap for cutting . that is on a hobart air force 750 so your torch/tips may be different. I also leave the amps all the way up and just move the torch faster or slower but thats just me.