Buying a Plasma Cutter and what to Look for

Plasma cutters come in a variety of shapes and sizes so it can be confusing as to what one to buy. Generally speaking, the first thing to take into consideration is what you want it to do most of the time. This will determine the type and the size of your need.

For some people, a plasma cutter may seem slow, depending on the material you will cut. You need to know that they will cut precisely and some thicknesses of metals may take longer than others to cut in this way.

Some plasma cutters will need a compressor for some things so you will need to know whether you need this before you purchase one. You will also want to choose one that can cut thicknesses greater than what you expect to do most of the time, so you have some flexibility.

You might also find it helpful to know that any metal that is a conductor of electricity can be cut by a plasma cutter. These are metals like copper, aluminum, stainless and other types of steel.

You will need some type of gas for cutting and most people use compressed air. This type of air comes as an air compressor or you can by it by the bottle. You will want to know the Cubic Foot per Minute (CFM) that the compressor will do because this is what keeps your plasma machine consistently running. You will also want to check the plasma cutting machine’s Pounds Per Square Inch (PSI) because it tells you how much pressure you need to run your machine.





Another thing you will want to purchase for your plasma cutter is dry air because it keeps moisture out of the line by traveling with it and helping it get out of the end of your torch. This can help you maintain your consumables longer.

To figure out how large a machine you need, you will want to determine the speed you want the machine to cut your metal. You will also want to decide the type of metal and its thickness because these will determine the overall speed of your plasma cutter’s performance.

You will also want to know the power that you will need to run your particular machine; this also varies depending on what you are doing. Depending on the plasma cutter, you can get small voltages or ones that are specifically created for a wide range of voltages and some can be used in the field. If you need a plasma cutter that is portable, then the weight and the size of the machine will be important.

Finally, be sure to wear proper safety equipment and clothing when you are using the plasma cutter. As an example, you will want to use a full face shield to protect you from the beam of light; usually a number 5 or 6 shade protection will work. Make sure you the area where you are working is ventilated and take precautions for noise, temperatures, high voltages and fumes.

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Buying a Plasma Cutter and what to Look for / Author: William