7.If you're making a straight cut, aluminum stock works better as a straight edge because the plasma gun will arc to the steel before it will arc to the aluminum. Be careful - it will still cut the aluminum if you cut directly into it.
8.Make sure you use a filter/dryer...
8.Make sure you use a filter/dryer on the airline. This will help preserve cutter tips and produce a cleaner cut.
9.When making any sort of...
9.When making any sort of circular cut, the plasma circle cutting kit is very handy. Using the circle cutter is as easy as drilling a slight starter hole (don't drill through the metal) for it to pivot on, and then all you have to do is set up the gun. Just hold the gun steady and use your other hand to push the cutter around to complete the cut. It's a simple design that uses a roller wheel to deliver a smooth cut every time.
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12.One of the more advanced...
12.One of the more advanced plasma cutting techniques is gouging. This is the process that was developed as a tool for weld removal and weld preparation. Weld defects such as cracks, porosity, and lack of fusion can be gouged out and then repaired with a new, sound weld. With practice, you can achieve a smooth, clean, consistent groove with a plasma-gouging arc. Hold the gun at a 40- to 60-degree angle to the work-piece as the pilot arc is formed and the arc transfers to the plate and move the torch along the plate in a forward motion. Steeper angles and slower speeds cause the arc to penetrate more deeply into the work-piece. Smaller angles and faster speeds remove less material and produce a shallower gouge.
Another practical use of the plasma cutter is the ease of cutting holes (once you're proficient). Whenever a quick hole is needed, the plasma can take a lot less time than the drill press. But don't get lazy and use this technique whenever you need form and function because no matter how good you get with the plasma, the drill press hole will always look better.
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15.Once you get used to having a plasma cutter around, you'll see how much time it saves you. If you do a lot of cutting of brackets, mounts, or anything repetitive one option you might look into (if funds permit) is a CNC plasma. This fancy cutting wizard can really make your life easy and allow you to design some really cool parts.