It pays to surf the net......

[perry]

Every morning I take a few minutes and look over ebay and craigslist for certain items. The other day I saw a Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 81 Plasma cutter on craigslist and the guy wanted $1000 or best offer. Just for the heck of it I offered $500 and he said he had an offer of $850, so I forgot about it. He called yesterday and ask if I still wanted it?, he went on to say the other guys never showed up!. Anyway, I got it for $500 and it's never been used!!, hooked it up and works great.I downloaded the owners manual and this beast will cut a full inch thick!. Guys..It pays to take a few minutes and look around on the net.

 

[Tazza]

WOW awesome buy!
I paid about 700'ish for my chinese CUT40, it works really well and consumables are well priced. Its rated to cut 16mm but i tried and it will NOT cut 16mm, it will do 1/2” but i wouldn't go larger.
Wait till you go to cut sheet metal with it, it cuts so easily! i can burn the tops out of old 20L drums as fast as i can move the torch, just run it around the inside top edge and presto, lid cut out! Don't think i'm crazy, we cut the tops out to use as steel bins, fill it with off cuts or shavings then they go to the local scrap yard to get recycled.

 

[perry]

WOW awesome buy!
I paid about 700'ish for my chinese CUT40, it works really well and consumables are well priced. Its rated to cut 16mm but i tried and it will NOT cut 16mm, it will do 1/2” but i wouldn't go larger.
Wait till you go to cut sheet metal with it, it cuts so easily! i can burn the tops out of old 20L drums as fast as i can move the torch, just run it around the inside top edge and presto, lid cut out! Don't think i'm crazy, we cut the tops out to use as steel bins, fill it with off cuts or shavings then they go to the local scrap yard to get recycled.

Tazza, this is my first one so a learning curve for sure.

 

[Tazza]

Tazza, this is my first one so a learning curve for sure.

The only thing i don't like about cutting with the plasma or a torch is being covered in sparks if you move too fast and the metal doesn't get blown away from you, geting a face full of sparks really isn't all that much fun!
You may also like to wear ear plugs too, it can be a little loud if in a confined space, but you will work all this out in time.
Ensure your air is clean and DRY, wet air makes the electrode burn out faster, i'm sure your manual will tell you this anyway.

 

[ThomasM]

The only thing i don't like about cutting with the plasma or a torch is being covered in sparks if you move too fast and the metal doesn't get blown away from you, geting a face full of sparks really isn't all that much fun!
You may also like to wear ear plugs too, it can be a little loud if in a confined space, but you will work all this out in time.
Ensure your air is clean and DRY, wet air makes the electrode burn out faster, i'm sure your manual will tell you this anyway.

Tazza, I also have a CUT-40, I purchased it for $400 shipped, so I think It was a good deal being new. I think it stated 3/8" clean cut and 1/2" sever cut, but mine might be a bit different than yours..works real good for the price. has 60% duty cycle which is good for a low priced unit I think.

 

[Jeffscarstrucks]

Tazza, I also have a CUT-40, I purchased it for $400 shipped, so I think It was a good deal being new. I think it stated 3/8" clean cut and 1/2" sever cut, but mine might be a bit different than yours..works real good for the price. has 60% duty cycle which is good for a low priced unit I think.

Once you get used to the machine you will wonder how you made it with out one! An air drier, wether chilled or centrifigal is a must or your consumable cost will be 3 or 4 times what it should be. The Millerwelds web site has good info on user tecnique. A nose full of molten metal will also teach you a lot about cutting travel speed! A great deal on a great machine. Good Luck, JEFF

 

[perry]

Once you get used to the machine you will wonder how you made it with out one! An air drier, wether chilled or centrifigal is a must or your consumable cost will be 3 or 4 times what it should be. The Millerwelds web site has good info on user tecnique. A nose full of molten metal will also teach you a lot about cutting travel speed! A great deal on a great machine. Good Luck, JEFF

As for the air drier, I use the type that holds a toilet paper roll, a friend uses this type in his body shop. I'm guessing it will work for the plasma cutter?.

 

[sterlclan]

As for the air drier, I use the type that holds a toilet paper roll, a friend uses this type in his body shop. I'm guessing it will work for the plasma cutter?.

ahhh the motor guard filter...love mine keep the roll o tp dry and it should do fine...If you catch it soon enough you can dry the wet roll and get twice as long out of them.....Jeff

 

[AlphaBob]

ahhh the motor guard filter...love mine keep the roll o tp dry and it should do fine...If you catch it soon enough you can dry the wet roll and get twice as long out of them.....Jeff

I purchased a couple of replacement inserts (fancy rolls of TP) for my filter. If I use a lot of air, I pull the insert out at the end of the session and set it on top of my water heater to dry - that's where I store the extras. This practice dramatically increases the life of the insert.

 

[Jeffscarstrucks]

I purchased a couple of replacement inserts (fancy rolls of TP) for my filter. If I use a lot of air, I pull the insert out at the end of the session and set it on top of my water heater to dry - that's where I store the extras. This practice dramatically increases the life of the insert.

It is true that plain old TP will fit into a Motor Gaurd housing and work fine but you should use some sort of filter between it and the cutter as the volume of air will carry paper pieces into the cutter. The quality of TP must vary widely compared to thr standard Motor Gaurd filter media. I have a friend in the welder service buisiness who has seen it several times where TP has contaminated a plasma cutter beyond repair. JEFF

 

[perry]

It is true that plain old TP will fit into a Motor Gaurd housing and work fine but you should use some sort of filter between it and the cutter as the volume of air will carry paper pieces into the cutter. The quality of TP must vary widely compared to thr standard Motor Gaurd filter media. I have a friend in the welder service buisiness who has seen it several times where TP has contaminated a plasma cutter beyond repair. JEFF

My plasma came with a water separator, the kind with the 'push to drain' button. Another filter in-line is a good idea. I ordered a few accessory items, drag cap, stand off guide, another tip and shield cup.
Before I get all cranked up on this cutter, any suggestions for making good stright cuts and clean circles.

 

[Fishfiles]

My plasma came with a water separator, the kind with the 'push to drain' button. Another filter in-line is a good idea. I ordered a few accessory items, drag cap, stand off guide, another tip and shield cup.
Before I get all cranked up on this cutter, any suggestions for making good stright cuts and clean circles.

I have never tried it with a plasma cutter but have a gizmo I made for my torch that cuts perfect circles every time , I am sure it could work with the plasma cutter , you are a fabbin' guy so it would be a good project for you , you make a holder which will grap the cutter head and hold it in the cutter position and have a arm coming of the holder which has a slidable and lockable spike off the bottom of it , you center punch the hole and put the spike tip in the dent , as you pivot the arm it will flollow a perfect circle , this works on bigger than say 3 inch circles

 

[perry]

I have never tried it with a plasma cutter but have a gizmo I made for my torch that cuts perfect circles every time , I am sure it could work with the plasma cutter , you are a fabbin' guy so it would be a good project for you , you make a holder which will grap the cutter head and hold it in the cutter position and have a arm coming of the holder which has a slidable and lockable spike off the bottom of it , you center punch the hole and put the spike tip in the dent , as you pivot the arm it will flollow a perfect circle , this works on bigger than say 3 inch circles

I thought about that Fish, but you know how it is with most new tools, someone has learned a few tricks along the way I'm hoping to learn a few. By the way, how is work down your way?, is still slow, slow, slow around here.

 

[perry]

I thought about that Fish, but you know how it is with most new tools, someone has learned a few tricks along the way I'm hoping to learn a few. By the way, how is work down your way?, is still slow, slow, slow around here.

I was thinking something like this might work?. it's a magnetic base for a dial indicator. Not sure it's heavy duty enough?.

 

[mllud]

I was thinking something like this might work?. it's a magnetic base for a dial indicator. Not sure it's heavy duty enough?.

Perry
I used this type of magnetic base for years. They do a great job of holding a dial indicator.
I dont think it will take the pull from the side without slipping or tipping. If you kept your swing arm low on the shaft and you are able to go around without much pull it might work.
I dont know if they make them now with those strong earth magnets now. If so it may work.
I have a early 90's Snap On plasma cutter that was actually made by Century. Its rated for 1/2 inch plate. 3/8 is about it. I think they over rate them on what they will cut. It takes some practice getting your cutting speed right. If your good with a cutting torch it helps.
The plasma cutter you bought is nice. You got a buy.
Mike

 

[perry]

Perry
I used this type of magnetic base for years. They do a great job of holding a dial indicator.
I dont think it will take the pull from the side without slipping or tipping. If you kept your swing arm low on the shaft and you are able to go around without much pull it might work.
I dont know if they make them now with those strong earth magnets now. If so it may work.
I have a early 90's Snap On plasma cutter that was actually made by Century. Its rated for 1/2 inch plate. 3/8 is about it. I think they over rate them on what they will cut. It takes some practice getting your cutting speed right. If your good with a cutting torch it helps.
The plasma cutter you bought is nice. You got a buy.
Mike

Thanks Mike, I just got lucky!. Your probably right on the side to side tilting, I'll play around and see what I can come up with, no business so plenty of time to play.

 

[Tazza]

Thanks Mike, I just got lucky!. Your probably right on the side to side tilting, I'll play around and see what I can come up with, no business so plenty of time to play.

Straight cuts i just use a piece of wood or steel and clamp it to the work piece, then drag the tip across it, straight cut! The only problem is you shouldn't technically allow the tip to touch the work piece, but my consumables are pretty cheap so i don't mind them wearing a little faster.
Some you can buy a device that is made of wire that holds te tip the correct distance from the work piece, you then can drag it along a guide without any problems. Its all a learning curve, you will work out whats best for you, just don't make the mistake i made. I let my dad have a go when i JUST got it home, i made a few cuts then let him have a go. He burt the tip out with ONE cut of 1/4” plate that was 1 1/4” wide. He now leaves the cutting to me

 

[jklingel]

Straight cuts i just use a piece of wood or steel and clamp it to the work piece, then drag the tip across it, straight cut! The only problem is you shouldn't technically allow the tip to touch the work piece, but my consumables are pretty cheap so i don't mind them wearing a little faster.
Some you can buy a device that is made of wire that holds te tip the correct distance from the work piece, you then can drag it along a guide without any problems. Its all a learning curve, you will work out whats best for you, just don't make the mistake i made. I let my dad have a go when i JUST got it home, i made a few cuts then let him have a go. He burt the tip out with ONE cut of 1/4” plate that was 1 1/4” wide. He now leaves the cutting to me

Relax: I ain't makin' any accusations, but did you maybe by chance get this cheap because it is hot? A while ago there was a guy on Craig's list offering $10K for the location of his tools, and I think one item was a Thermal cutter. It's a far stretch, but maybe if you contact him you could keep an eye out for other tools like the rest of his popping up; you never know (don't even know if the guy yelling about the theft was telling the truth.) Just a thought. He was on the AK Craigslist for quite a while. j

 

[perry]

Relax: I ain't makin' any accusations, but did you maybe by chance get this cheap because it is hot? A while ago there was a guy on Craig's list offering $10K for the location of his tools, and I think one item was a Thermal cutter. It's a far stretch, but maybe if you contact him you could keep an eye out for other tools like the rest of his popping up; you never know (don't even know if the guy yelling about the theft was telling the truth.) Just a thought. He was on the AK Craigslist for quite a while. j

Well, he wasn't being secretive about selling it, he gave me the serial # over the phone and I picked it up at his place of business. AK (Alaska) is about 5500 miles from where I purchased it.