Here's what we did to our plasma cutter to make it a LOT easier to handle................ This was made from scraps laying around the shop, old router handles, old drill motor switch, welding shield lens and ball bearing rollers.
We built this to cut 2" steel........it worked great.......these rollers make almost too easy to roll it around, I think it needs a little drag on it.
Here I just finished cutting a circle (5') out of 1 inch Aluminum.....looks ragged but it cleans up very easy. It works even easier and cleaner on light stock like 3/8" or 1/4".........I think I'll start my exhaust flanges monday!!
CTFuzz, have you ever made patterns for your plasma? I make them from masonite {sp?}, half the diameter of the torch head smaller then I want, clamp them in place and drag the torch right around the pattern. Saw them on band saw, sand the edges, you could use wood if you wanted. I've used the same pattern several times and they don't burn up.
How is the trigger or switch wired ?.. it looks like you can't pull the trigger. and yes very Smart guy !!
I haven't tried a pattern yet, but I do use a straight edge on the long straights. Trigger is very easy to pull, actually I pull the trigger then lock it in place. The trigger is from a drill. We make art out of metal..................These things sell for more than a '32 hi-boy....! This is the piece we are working on. Crappy picture..........6000 LBS and 12 foot high.............
Believe it or not, after they are painted people pay $140,000.00 for this piece of "art"......... We don't make anything near that $ to build them........the artist's foundation gets the big bucks. We do have a good time making them. Here's an 8 foot Aluminum piece I just finished, reddy for paint.......... By the way, you MUST use eye protection using a plasma cutter.....what else would you use if not a welding shield??........you wouldn't be able to see for days without it!
The Jalopy Journal
