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Message started by JLC on 01/12/18 at 12:36:47

Title: Plasma cutter?
Post by JLC on 01/12/18 at 12:36:47

I am running a local Gun Club Silhouette Program, and every so often I have to fix the metallic targets. That usually means cutting metal pieces to be welded, and welding steel from 1/4" to 1/2" thick. I do have a good welder, but no way to cut metal, except for a couple of trusted hacksaws! I was thinking of buying a plasma cutter. Any suggestions?

Title: Re: Plasma cutter?
Post by Dave on 01/12/18 at 12:43:20

If you can find a local metal fabricator with either a plasma, laser or waterjet cutter - they might be cutting shapes out of the parts they are building that are scrap that could be OK shapes for you to use.

Title: Re: Plasma cutter?
Post by badwolf on 01/12/18 at 14:08:27

I used to cut-up old bed frame angle iron with a hack saw till I looked over at my masonry gas saw and said ''Duh!''. Cut-off wheels work much better than hacksawing. You can get them for a 4 1/2'' hand grinder for less than a buck apiece in a 10 pack.
Unless you really WANT a plasma cutter... and are looking for a excuse.
If you are cutting out entire targets, you need to do it under water to not take the temper out of AR500 steel. So many shops are making them now the shipping might cost more than the targets. Find someone nearby you can pick-up from and normally the stands and holders need more repairs than the targets.
Remember, EVERYTHING you put downrange WILL GET SHOT-UP.
At our range we make things tough as we can to last as long as possible, or cheap and easy to replace.
We got sick of repairing the overhead wood/ pea stone/ wood baffles, and on the new rifle range we put-in $38k in 1/2'' AR500 steel baffles. We hope it lasts a REAL LONG time!

Title: Re: Plasma cutter?
Post by JLC on 01/12/18 at 14:30:04

I have been running the silhouette program for 7 years, so I do know everything on the range will get shot up! Right now I have enough targets, and I just finished welding/cleaning/painting them all for this coming season. I might need to cut some entire targets in the future. Up to now most of the repair work has been welding.

I saw a plasma cutter being used, and was impressed how neat the cuts were. A quick search online showed they are expensive, and a saw might be much cheaper. I'll check!

Title: Re: Plasma cutter?
Post by badwolf on 01/12/18 at 14:38:38

Harbor Freight normally has 4 1/2'' grinders for $15-$20. A cut-off wheel on them will do a lot. Also the grinding wheel comes in handy.
I just picked-up some free angle iron. ( neighbor threw out a bed frame ) My grinder/cut-off wheels will cut out the rivets and make some useful iron to have around.

Title: Re: Plasma cutter?
Post by JLC on 01/12/18 at 15:13:07

Thanks, I'll check the grinders at HF. They also have a motorcycle lift I am interested in. :)

Title: Re: Plasma cutter?
Post by Dave on 01/13/18 at 04:32:20

And......could be that if you find a local fab shop and they like shooting - maybe they will cut your pieces free in exchange for shooting privileges.

Title: Re: Plasma cutter?
Post by DieselBob on 01/13/18 at 06:15:27

-
Angle grinder's a great tool that I've used for decades. Indispensable for building bikes. And mine taught me a few things last month.
1. Wear a face shield. Not just your glasses
2. Don't remove the handle. Use it.
3. Keep the guard in place.
4. Avoid re-entering an existing kerf.

If you forego 1-4 above, I'd offer alternative suggestions
1. Check your health insurance coverage
2. Check your dental insurance coverage
3. Keep some red towels around the shop
4. Have a driver or ambulance standing by
5. Stock up on some natty eye patches

I could explain how I know these things, but a picture tells it better.

http://https://s19.postimg.org/ots72i3oz/Face.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Title: Re: Plasma cutter?
Post by Ruttly on 01/13/18 at 07:40:03

Bob , there are shelters for men who have been beaten by their wives ! ;D

Get well and be careful , dam lucky not to loose a eye.

Title: Re: Plasma cutter?
Post by JLC on 01/13/18 at 09:38:39

Wow, scary. Not sure I want to use an angle grinder now!

Title: Re: Plasma cutter?
Post by ArkansasBrian on 01/14/18 at 21:03:14

Can you cut 1/4-1/2 inch steel with an angle grinder? Certainly. Is it a good way to cut 1/4-1/2 inch steel? Not really. Not a lot of it anyway. At those thicknesses it's time consuming and you'll burn through wheels quickly. If you do use one, take all of DieselBob's advice. I've seen pictures of people who came out much worse than he did.

Plasma cutter are awesome. They're also expensive and require a fairly serious air compressor to keep up.

Oxy-acetylene torches are much cheaper, more durable, less finicky and equally effective, if somewhat slower. Potential quality of cut is the same and up to operator skill. If I were you, it's what I'd be buying.

Carbon-arc cutting is also a thing that exists, although I haven't done it since welding school and have never priced it. I'm pretty sure it still requires a sizable air compressor.

Title: Re: Plasma cutter?
Post by JLC on 01/15/18 at 07:32:14

Thanks for all the advice and suggestions... I do know the owner of a local metal fabrication shop. He has more work than he can take, even after hiring more personnel. He is not an exception and I doubt I can get someone to fabricate targets for the lure of free shooting.

I have a large and fairly well equipped workshop, with some glaring gaps - such as the lack of tools for cutting metals, and no lathe (I don't know how to use one).

I do have an air compressor (Craftsman 1.9 HP, 27 gallon, twin cylinder oil lubricated, 7.2 scfm at 40 psi, 5.8 scfm at 90 psi, 150 psi max). I don't know if that would be good enough for a plasma cutter. I know some plasma cutters come with a built-in compressor.

I have a grinder (air tool) and I ordered a face shield. It should arrive tomorrow, courtesy of Amazon Prime. I do have safety goggles, and I use them all the time, but the photo posted above prompted me to get a full face shield!

I thought of an Acetylene/oxygen cutting torch, but I am wary of the acetylene gas. The only gas bottle in my shop is for the MIG welder, and I might want to keep it that way. That being said, I read online that you can replace the Acetylene with propane, and I'll do more research on that.

Title: Re: Plasma cutter?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 01/15/18 at 08:00:02

You don't have near enough compressor to be cutting metal.
Get a torch. And an electric angle grinder.

Bob's picture finally opened. Dude, that's awful.. but it's extremely rare. And some safety considerations weren't followed.

Propane and oxygen works fine. Lots cheaper. If you have a propane tank that has a wet line you can fill them yourself.
I do.

Title: Re: Plasma cutter?
Post by JLC on 01/15/18 at 13:36:39

I have been checking cutting torch kits online, and I came upon several comments such as this one : "The problem with products like this is that regardless of the quality of the tanks, local gas suppliers will NOT fill nor "swap" the tanks unless you have a Business License and proof that you operate from a NON-RESIDENTIAL location. This is true just about everywhere within the USA."

Do those of you who use cutting torches with acetylene and oxygen tanks have this problem?

Title: Re: Plasma cutter?
Post by batman on 01/15/18 at 14:30:29

If you rent or buy your tanks from a welding supply house (I did) I'm sure you will have no problem getting them filled. If you have bought them elsewhere they may decline ,not knowing there age /condition/or the last time they were pressure tested. Mine were for home use.

Title: Re: Plasma cutter?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 01/15/18 at 15:50:10

I bought an oxygen tank from the welding supply house. I return it empty and they toss a full on in the truck. It's cheap. Propane is much cheaper than acetylene and works fine.
If you're gonna be cutting half inch you're not going to want a tiny torch.
I don't think I would be buying harbor freight regulators and torch. But don't buy tanks from someone who can't fill them unless you have someone who will swap .

Visit the welding supply house and talk to them.

Title: Re: Plasma cutter?
Post by JLC on 01/15/18 at 16:19:05

I'll go to the dealer who sold me the welder tomorrow, and see what they say.