It's ON now!!!
 

After much internal debate, I dropped the hammer on this today...

I will probably find out that I should have bought it two years ago when I started the restoration on my '69, but I'm sure I'll find plenty of uses for it far beyond building (and tearing apart) old trucks! I'd like to see what you guys are using your plasma cutters for and what models/brands you have. This one is a Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 42.

Re: It's ON now!!!
 

It is a good machine. I had a Thermal Dynamics 100 ( I think) that would clean cut steel to 1.25" and would gouge to 1.5" thick. I also used it to cut aluminum as well before we got the CNC table router.

Richard

Re: It's ON now!!!
 

It’s a proven unit to me, I have used different brands for more decades then I am willing to divulge at this time ;)

I have/use a Thermal Dynamics “Cutmaster 101” at work on average 4><5 X’s a week , it sees plenty of abuse from multiple users who don’t have a clue WTH their doing, and it has held up very well. Wish I had it at home :waah:

Re: It's ON now!!!
 

our shop has a plasma cutter, i can't say i've ever used it on my truck.
99% of the cutting i did on my truck was with a 4 inch grinder with a cutting blade.
my truck is heavily modified, i cut and welded every panel on it.
it was also very rusty so a lot of cutting out rust too.

we are looking at buying a 2 axis cnc plasma table
it will be used for production stuff

Re: It's ON now!!!
 

x2 on the 4" grinder/cutoff wheel. That and a chop saw are what I've been using for the longest time. I just had the means to get a plasma cutter and have always wanted one, so I went for it. I still have a few more mods to do to the cab of my truck before paint, so maybe I'll get a chance to use it then.

Re: It's ON now!!!
 

My 2 cents;

A cut off wheel is great for what it does “Cut off”.

For close detail work (curves, radius, ect.) it’ s dam tough to beat a plasma torch correctly set up. I won’t speak to ease & speed because that is subject to each individual operators skill level :ito:

Re: It's ON now!!!
 

I use plasma cutter for a lot of sheet metal work. Its great for Motorcycle gas tanks where you need to cut out a piece to remove dents. With the .028 cut width it make for an easy tig job back into place. The only bad thing is when you try to take the head off a bolt it hardens the bolt so you can't drill it afterward if you need to. Same with frame rivets. It makes then very hard

Re: It's ON now!!!
 

Good Point

For those of you who might wonder ::mm: there are tips available with different size orifices for variable cut widths depending on metal gauge