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  1. #1
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    Default Is a plasma cutter feature worth it?

    Hi guys, by way of background, I'm about to self-learn stick welding strictly for home use. My first job is a learning project to build timber storage racks for my mancave/workshop. The substantive job (and the reason I'm learning to weld) will be to build 30m of deck railings (top & verticals) made of 10x60mm bar.

    I'm thinking about buying my first welder from Token Welding but I'm fighting the desire to spend a bit more for extra features that I didn't know I wanted until the instant I read about them. Anyway, one of the features I'm having trouble eliminating is plasma cutting. For my deck project I had intended to get the posts pre-cut and pre-drilled, but it occurs to me that plasma cutting might make it practical to do that myself.

    My question is, is home plasma cutting of 10mm bar precise, cost-effective and practical? Or does plasma leave rough slagged cuts?

    Id also appreciate any recommendations on machines (not necessarily stick). My budget could be stretched to around $1000 but I also need to include mask, gloves and mag clamps.

    Kind regards, stephen.

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  3. #2
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    Jul 2009
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    Melbourne
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    Default

    I have one here and yes it can be useful at times, but for the couple of times a year you may use it...... I think mine has been used twice in the past 12 months.

    Personally i would have got more use out of one of these http://www.ozito.com.au/c/60-benchto...etal-cutting-1 but not seen them around

  4. #3
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    10x60 flat bar? That's going to be one hell of a railing.

    Plasma typically leaves a pretty ragged cut plus dross, particularly on a 10mm section.

  5. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by RustyArc View Post
    10x60 flat bar? That's going to be one hell of a railing.
    Perhaps I've over specified? My design is ripped off from a fancy custom railing I saw at a rooftop restaurant. The thinner bar choices are 3, 5, 6 or 8

  6. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by DocBug View Post
    I have one here and yes it can be useful at times, but for the couple of times a year you may use it...... I think mine has been used twice in the past 12 months.

    Personally i would have got more use out of one of these http://www.ozito.com.au/c/60-benchto...etal-cutting-1 but not seen them around
    I spotted one of those at Bunnings. The trouble is that I'm running out of bench space and (more honestly) one new toy is justifiable but two toys will raise a suspicion that I might be enjoying myself more than is permissible. I'm imagining the conversation - "Why do you need another one of those? [pointing accusingly at my Makita bench saw]".

    Hang in, would my bench saw work with a proper steel cutting blade? Or is there a speed/torque problem?

  7. #6
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    Plasma cutting 10mm thick steel with a 15 amp type plasma cutter is not going to work real well..

    If you are just doing straight cuts a 14" cut off saw is what you want... it is all we had for years and years..
    Light red, the colour of choice for the discerning man.

  8. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Stephen H View Post
    Hi guys, by way of background, I'm about to self-learn stick welding strictly for home use. My first job is a learning project to build timber storage racks for my mancave/workshop. The substantive job (and the reason I'm learning to weld) will be to build 30m of deck railings (top & verticals) made of 10x60mm bar.

    I'm thinking about buying my first welder from Token Welding but I'm fighting the desire to spend a bit more for extra features that I didn't know I wanted until the instant I read about them. Anyway, one of the features I'm having trouble eliminating is plasma cutting. For my deck project I had intended to get the posts pre-cut and pre-drilled, but it occurs to me that plasma cutting might make it practical to do that myself.

    My question is, is home plasma cutting of 10mm bar precise, cost-effective and practical? Or does plasma leave rough slagged cuts?

    Id also appreciate any recommendations on machines (not necessarily stick). My budget could be stretched to around $1000 but I also need to include mask, gloves and mag clamps.

    Kind regards, stephen.
    Yes, plasma can cut 10mm steel precisely, although it really offers no advantage over mechanical means if straight cuts on 65X10 are envisaged. Do you already own a compressor?
    Having said that, plasma tends not to play well with other processes. As far as I know, only the Chinese offer multi process machines that plasma cut.
    I would look at buying an inverter stick welder, a 14" drop saw, (try and get a cold cut drop saw if you can) and a drill press to drill your own posts. While it may over run your $1000 budget by a smidge, you will be saving on $70-75/hr labour costs.

  9. #8
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    The first thing any workshop needs is a drill press.....serioulst there is so much it can do and make easier...ther are the holes dealt with.

    If you don't want to play the whole gas bottle thing..you are stuck with a stick welder......buy a decent unit and buy decent rods....it will reduce the frustrattion considerably.

    If you are doing any work in steel you need an hand grinder......you can cut steel with that but its hard noisy work.

    If you are going to do any sort of volume of work in steel you need a steel cutting drop saw...these are not too expensive....

    If you have the money Hitachi grinders and cutoff machines simply cant be beat.......if you are tight for cash..stay away from the very bottom of the market...powertool shop house brands usually represent good value.

    OH and when buying tools...stay away from the hardware chains..the specilaist power tool discounters will give you better value for your money.

    cheers
    Any thing with sharp teeth eats meat.
    Most powertools have sharp teeth.
    People are made of meat.
    Abrasives can be just as dangerous as a blade.....and 10 times more painfull.

  10. #9
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    If all you were doing is cutting 10mm flat bar, a plasma cutter is probably overkill. I would opt for a drop saw, or even an angle grinder with a cut off disc.

    Plasma cutters work well when cutting in-situ, cutting curves or cutouts, or cutting larger pieces of steel (like say 100mm SHS) that won't easily fit in a drop saw.
    Cheers.

    Vernon.
    __________________________________________________
    Bite off more than you can chew and then chew like crazy.

  11. #10
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    I would disagree on that matter.....if you where cutting 10mm flat bar and not much else a plasma cutter would be a great choice.

    As long as the plasma cutter was powerfull enough to cut 10mm bar with ease the cutting would be quick clean and reasonably quiet...AND you would not be going thru abrasive wheels like they where going out of style.

    cheers
    Any thing with sharp teeth eats meat.
    Most powertools have sharp teeth.
    People are made of meat.
    Abrasives can be just as dangerous as a blade.....and 10 times more painfull.

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    melbourne
    Posts
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    It's just an opinion, but I would avoid plasma cutters on a welder. My welder bust while using the plasma cutter. When I was searching the internet for any help, this turned out to be a really common way for a welder to blow up.
    A plasma cutter uses high voltage and high current and is hard on components. A welder uses high current low voltage so is a bit easier. Have a search on the internet for the welder you are considering, searching for plasma cutter fault and see how common it is.

  13. #12
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    yeh well that is a problem with the product not the process.
    Any thing with sharp teeth eats meat.
    Most powertools have sharp teeth.
    People are made of meat.
    Abrasives can be just as dangerous as a blade.....and 10 times more painfull.

  14. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by soundman View Post
    I would disagree on that matter.....if you where cutting 10mm flat bar and not much else a plasma cutter would be a great choice.
    Except for the high cost of a plasma cutter (and possibly a compressor) compared to an angle grinder, or a cheapie drop saw and a cutting disc or 2. Paying good money for a plasma cutter that will just sit there gathering dust after it's done a few cuts is false economy in my mind.

    A small angle grinder is comparatively cheap, consumables are cheap and would be more versatile a tool than a plasma cutter i.e. so it may get used for other jobs. To be honest, he will need an angle grinder anyway to do the job he is looking to do, so he could use it for both grinding and cutting.
    Cheers.

    Vernon.
    __________________________________________________
    Bite off more than you can chew and then chew like crazy.

  15. #14
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    Default

    I've decided to go with a saw instead of plasma. Three reasons:
    • I didn't realize I also needed a compressor (don't laugh, I haven't even learned to weld yet and plasma was on the feature list!)
    • I get the ability to cut at various angles (realized I'd need this last night while walking through the job in my head)
    • I'm just a learner and would likely be so focused on the plasma cut that I wouldn't realize I'm also cutting off my foot)


    What do you guys say to this welder as a learning / light home project machine? http://weldingstore.tokentools.com.a...c-205-stl.html

    PS: Vernon, I have small and large grinders, but because of the angle cuts I'd rather use a saw - and what do you know, there's a 2nd hand saw on gumtree right now.

  16. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Stephen H View Post
    What do you guys say to this welder as a learning / light home project machine? http://weldingstore.tokentools.com.a...c-205-stl.html
    Nice price. I don't have any experience with that machine, but I believe TokenTools has a pretty good reputation on the forums.
    Cheers.

    Vernon.
    __________________________________________________
    Bite off more than you can chew and then chew like crazy.

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