Plasma cutter eye protection?

[Bill Douglas]

Hi Guys. I've just bought a plasma cutter. I'm quite pleased because it's about 1/3 cost and brand new. It's display stock so the box, bits and manual are lost so they sold it off cheaply

I have a recollection from welding night class that different (to mig welding) googles/eye protection needs to be worn?

[GH85Carrera]

As I remember you also need breathing protection. The plasma turns the steel into little dust particles and other bad pookie for your lungs.

[Pazuzu]

Plasma is no where near as bright as welding, I would think that you couldn't even see your work if you had welding lenses on.

We used to use sunglasses, but we were stupid
Find something like, of, maybe 10% transmission?

[MT930]

PC is a very useful tool I use mine all the time.

Shade 5 is good for 40 Amp Plasma Arc.

Many hoods have a cut function for plasma cutting.

It you are doing a lot of it a respirator is a good idea.

[Mark Henry]

Shade 5, or use a guide and don't look directly at the arc.
I almost always use some sort of guide to run along, then I angle my eyes so that the torch head blocks the view of the arc.

[Bill Douglas]

Thanks Guys, on you recommendations I've just bought Shade five goggles, and I will use a guide where I can - good tip, thanks.

I want to get a bit arty and make a palm or olive leaves style front gate.

[Mark Henry]

Circles I made a simple circle maker and tack a stud to the center. For one or two cuts you can make a pattern out of masonite, use aluminum or steel if you need it to last longer.
For straight lines on steel I use magnetic tool holders.

For handheld plasma best results will always be with some sort of guide.

[MT930]

Keep the air dry and oil free. The consumables like tips & electrodes last much longer and provide cleaner cuts. .02 Worth

I use one of these
Motogard filters

[ckelly78z]

My son keeps bugging me for a PC to go in the shop. I need to improve the electrical capacity before that happens.

[Mark Henry]

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

My son keeps bugging me for a PC to go in the shop. I need to improve the electrical capacity before that happens.

40 amp output, doesn't need 40 amp input, welders cutters have a transformer.
The circuit is 2 wire, two hot, one ground, so no neutral.

The Eastwood 40 amp plasma will run on a 120v/20A circuit for sheet metal, but for thicker materials, duty time and better results you should run it on a 220v/30A circuit.

Plasma cutters need totally clean dry air, my welding cart system has two water traps, a decassent water separator, two cleanable and one toss-away air filters and two pressure regulators.
Not done yet as the future plan is to get the first two water traps 25' from the compressor and another large water trap.

[svandamme]

FFS, Don't point plasma cutter at your eyes!
Not even if you got your rayban's on.

[Bill Douglas]

Mine is just a 240 volt 25 amp home handyman quality machine. I'll only do one or two jobs with it then lose interest. It can cut up to 6mm but I'll only be doing 3mm at the most.

Thanks for the handy helpful hints. I like the idea of a MDF stensel/cutout.

I'm going to make a palm tree inspired front gate

[Mark Henry]

Making stencils takes some thought, you always have to be thinking of the tip offset, corners etc. It takes practice to see what works and what doesn't. Most cheaper PCs come with a two prong guide, you will need one with a round base.
It's always best to start at the edge of the work or drill a start hole. Blasting through the metal to start will drastically shorten tip life.

[Bill Douglas]

I've just made on online purchase of a dozen cheap PT-31 tips and bits. So that should outlast me LOL. I'll put some thought into the stencil idea to get my offset correct. I made this sign with Microsoft Word (and a plasma cutter at welding night class).