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Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2012 3:46 pm
by bobbi o
Can anyone recommend a workshop/good value plasma cutter to cut max thickness 14mm steel plate?
Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2012 4:28 pm
by Carberry
Not got a clue about plasma, I use oxy propane for cutting. but can help you out if there is anything you need to know about oxy propane.
Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2012 5:08 pm
by GB_Groundworks
There are a few cheap ones from machine Mart that cut that thickness, plasma cutters are appealing for intricate work. We've just switch to Oxy propane from oxy ocetalin because we never gas weld and the hassle of the ocetalin and cost.
Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2012 9:23 am
by Carberry
GB_Groundworks wrote:There are a few cheap ones from machine Mart that cut that thickness, plasma cutters are appealing for intricate work. We've just switch to Oxy propane from oxy ocetalin because we never gas weld and the hassle of the ocetalin and cost.
I started selling welding gas a couple of months ago and it's just gone crazy. Selling it rent free with a bottle deposit, everyone has had enough of BOC, Air Products, Air Liquide, £170 a year rental, £50 delivery charge, £15 charge if you pick it up, multiple forms of ID etc.
There is a shortage of oxy acetylene too which won't get any better. I've swapped a lot of people over to oxy propane, got my wee demo kit that I take out on the road and cut stuff with.
Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2012 9:48 am
by GB_Groundworks
We've still got the mini oxy cet kit on little trolley bottled like 2 litre coke bottles with a little cutting torch, was invaluable one demo job cutting 20mm rebar where nothing else could get it and the big bottles where to impractical
Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2012 8:08 pm
by bobbi o
Carberry wrote:GB_Groundworks wrote:There are a few cheap ones from machine Mart that cut that thickness, plasma cutters are appealing for intricate work. We've just switch to Oxy propane from oxy ocetalin because we never gas weld and the hassle of the ocetalin and cost.
I started selling welding gas a couple of months ago and it's just gone crazy. Selling it rent free with a bottle deposit, everyone has had enough of BOC, Air Products, Air Liquide, £170 a year rental, £50 delivery charge, £15 charge if you pick it up, multiple forms of ID etc.
There is a shortage of oxy acetylene too which won't get any better. I've swapped a lot of people over to oxy propane, got my wee demo kit that I take out on the road and cut stuff with.
what set up would you recommend for the small contractor,repairilg their own plant?
Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2012 8:18 pm
by GB_Groundworks
Plasma is good for neat cutting holes as you can get right on top of it, as it's in your hand. With gas axe you are 1-2 foot away but it all depends on your skill level.
Gas axes good for things like heating stuck joints etc (althought don't do ball joints had one explode on us last week, was like a 50 cal going off with a projectile)
Our fabricator can cut with a gas axes and it looks like a cut off saw has done it, my cuts look like in the film aliens where there acid blood melts steel haha.
I'd say both really as they have there different uses, anything serious needs fixing our fabricator comes out and welds it proper, we just do small fab work and running repairs.
Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 1:00 pm
by Carberry
Not used plasma so I can't comment on it but it has been all mechanics who have bought the oxy propane kit from me and they've all been happy with it.
I'm got to deliver 10 bottles of helium to baillieston this week, probably tuesday or Wednesday if you want to meet up I can bring my kit and let you have a shot of it.
Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 7:50 pm
by rab1
we use plasma for cutting steel but its major factory stuff but the hand held stuff is good but you do get what you pay for.
Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 5:20 pm
by bobbi o
Thanks carb,may contact you after i get back from a job in the highlands.