PLASMA CUTTING FOR BEGINNERS, PLASMA TIPS AND TRICKS

[@icook74]

Good Vid. A few things though...It's not about outright compressor pressure (although it is a factor), it's about air flow rate. Torch tips - if they have a star or cross pattern at the nozzle / tip - they are capable of being dragged, as long as the work is pierced though, and the correct cutting speed / current selection / air flow / pressure setting (as you mentioned) is maintained, any tip can be used to drag. Not just nozzle / tip condition, but inner electrode condition is also a major factor in cut quality. Wouldn't recommend beginners to use non dominant hand to hold work with a pilot arc cutter - they're indiscriminant in what they cut. Don't forget the plasma stream is somewhere in the region of 20,000 degrees Celsius. The leg comment was not said in jest!!!! Again, good vid.

[@Urchfab]

Good tips, I will pin this to the top. Cheers

[@deltajohnny]

Very good tips. Thanks a lot!! 👍👍👍👏👏👏

[@ellasoph996]

Ian Cook 👨‍🍳 I

[@JustDoinMeOfficial]

wow cheers Ian thats great reading there. Helped a lot thanks.

[@bryanst.martin7134]

Wot! Ya say in plasma don't care?

[@codprawn]

Still coming back to this video when I need to refresh my plasma skills. Great as always!

[@elebeu]

Thanks for some solid tips. The high amp/faster travel speed resulting in a cleaner cut was unexpected but it makes sense.

[@MattBerryCustom]

Finally a no nonsense guide to plasma cutting, really informative video addressing all of the little issues I’ve had myself. Not seen any of your other videos but you’ve earned yourself a sub for this one and I look forward to watching your others. Well done mate 👍🏻

[@Goldwing1500rider]

Been olde school welder, acy/oxy torch and stick welder, retired and now playing with new tech stuff… bought 3 in one welder mig, tig and stick…. Recently finally got plasma cutter…. Setting up my shop .. this gives me ideas how get started… wish me luck and thank you for sharing

[@mrtyger1965]

You have uploaded a very good beginners guide to plasma cutting and full credit to you for finding the time and patient’s in putting it together. A couple of points, to help your watchers, which tbf may have already been mentioned below… • Air flow (scfh/lpm) at the machine is just as (if not more) important than supplied air pressure which ensures you maintain a well formed plasma stream. • Always have an additional air filter etc at your air outlet to ensure the minimum amount of moisture even reaches the air filter fitted to the machine. • Using a ‘metal’ guide to run your plasma torch along is not recommended as it can encourage ‘double arcing’ which basically reduces the life of your cutting tip/consumables. • To experience the best cutting performance, (cut quality and consumable life) always match the cutting tip amperage to the machine amperage, i.e. when setting the machine to 30A fit a 30A cutting tip. This gives you the best cut quality. • Cutting tips are either designed to be dragged or ‘stood off’ so depending on the plasma torch being used always ensure the correct cutting tip is fitted for your cutting application, again to give you either better cut quality and/or consumable life. • Generally drag tip cutting material under 5mm will give you the best cut quality. There is many factors that dictate cut quality, from.... correctly installing the machine to material type/thickness being cut, overall air quality, operator experience, using the correct consumable setup, not using over worn consumables etc etc for a lot of plasma machine owners improving consumable life will dictate what costs you continue to pay when purchasing replacement consumables over time! Again, very well put together Sir :)

[@billofalltrades1468]

Bending the straight edge is a great idea, I've always used clamps. That will sure make work go faster. Thank you for sharing!

[@Tanner618]

I was in ag class today first ever time using one I love it

[@lyleswan6671]

Far out Tanner. I took Ag in 9th grade just to learn to weld in the early 80's. The summer before school started, I got hired on at a local steel fab outfit making stuff for Panhandle Eastern as a welders helper working with some top notch stick welders for a whopping $2 an hour. Needless to say, I didn't need Ag anymore but was stuck in the class. Ag teacher would jokingly accuse me of having my co worker weld my coupons(any way I think he was joking). I built a go cart "after hours"at work hidden from the owner (boss) of the company(looking back I still can't believe he let me close shop by myself). He strait up busted me one day when he found my frame I welded. He told me I better rethink my steering, cause when U turn steering wheel right, cart steers left , and vice versa. Then he got serious and said the material I was using was property of Panhandle Eastern and said they might take a dim view of me using their material ( I was about shitting at this point cause I knew I was about to be fired for the first time ever), then he told me he would really appreciate it if I would wire brush the painted serial numbers off the 1 inch pipe used to construct the frame. Later, he even sold me a used 8 horse motor for 10 bucks. God rest his soul, one of the coolest dudes I ever worked for(and smartest). I learned some real life skills there, meanwhile, I was stuck in ag class, and we spent more time going to local farms "cutting hogs" than we ever did welding. That shit sucked, but had some laughs. Any way sorry for the long bore-a-thon, but your comment kinda hit me just how fast time/life goes by. Seems almost like last week to me, that I was in Ag class. Still have my blue and gold jacket even tho it don't even come close to fitting anymore. Best of luck Tanner, and remember safety third...I have a feeling you are gonna be a fabricator in no time.

[@gordbaker896]

Thanks Matt. Clear and concise and no music.

[@johnsteed265]

I know in the UK the electric service is standard 220v. So you can turn up the power to 50 amps with no problem. In the US the standard is 110V and when turned up to 50A, it will blow a breaker in a short amount of time.

[@danielngada8225]

You made a beautiful demonstration thank you. I saw an advertisement of a plasma cutter on sale. A quick KZbin search led me to your channel and now I know the function of the equipment. I appreciate the pace of your content. It was easy to follow along. The special part of this upload is that you had flu yet you went ahead dispite your hardship to give the best content I could ever hope for. All the best and God bless you my gentleman 👍

[@glensgraphix]

I don't have a plasma cutter but watching this gives me a bit of confidence that when I use one I will have an idea of what to do. Thanks Matt.

[@alcocklake]

I've just watched for the 2nd time.....got waaaay more from it this time.. there are a LOT of videos on here dealing with plasma techniques...yours's is the most practical .. (cheers from NW Ontario Canuistan) THANKS for the great content... SUBSCRIBED!

[@jerryquigg3497]

Excellent - I learned to operate the plasma cutter at max power and then simply adjust travel speed accordingly.

[@ronparker6489]

Well done Bloke! Excellent tips. Just today I ordered a 30 amp cutter from Amazon. About $160, including tax. I mainly work with thin sheet metal.

[@rogerlarson8040]

i like your putting a bend in your straight edge trick!!!!

[@finallyitsed2191]

I used to use my acetylene torch and a bunch of grinding disks for everything until I bought a plasma cutter. Boy, what a marvelous machine! My torch is now reserved for heating up frozen bolts and bending steel. I always am trying to learn something and enjoyed your video. Today I learned that I am not the only person that doesn't like cutting stainless!! Thanks for the video.

[@Bizzon666]

Thanks man. Friend bough a cheap plasma cutter but wasn't comfortable using it himself.. This video gave me enough idea about cutting to have confidence doing it for the first time with no problems😇

[@DickHowe-c5q]

I got a plasma cutter for Christmas. And I've tried to use it and failed miserably. You have shown me many things I'm doing wrong. After this video, I can't wait to go into the garage and try all you have been showing me. Thank you very much for the tips and the video!!

[@lloydprunier4415]

Thanks for the straight no nonsense explanation. First cheap plasma cutter I bought blew one of the circuit boards and haven't been able to find parts for it. Second cheap plasma cutter seems to work okay but I haven't tried the full contact of the torch tip yet. Next burst of energy I get I will try your tips and see what happens. I'm old and have hand tremors so bad that welding is not as much fun as it used to be. Started a new medication today and it seems to be helping but makes me want to take more naps. Don't know if I will get much accomplished, but I'm not quitting trying!

[@tramptruck4859]

Brilliant, I'm just finding my way round an R tech 50 and this has been more use than the manual!

[@erikthered3601]

Looking at buying a plasma cutter. This was a great informative video. I've never used one yet. I feel pretty confident now. Thank you.

[@tinkertime7165]

Roofers square, bow in the straight edge, simple circle cutter and up the power, great tips. Thanks. I use a piece of thick wire (like 3mm fencing wire) as a guide to form irregular curves. Also handy to know the offset distance between the edge of the tip and the actual cut edge. If I make a template (thin ply) it has to be 4mm smaller all round to give the correct finished size. New sub here.

[@tomten2539]

Agree, really good video. Didactic and fun. Speeding through certain chapters - time is precious. And Your comments contributed further value. Tnx.

[@murrayandru7527]

Thanks for the Lesson ,learn something new everyday is a Good Thing !

[@skippyi6969]

Good tip on the bent straight edge. i usually clamp my guide down. not anymore. i'll make me a 2' and 1' straight edge. And you are correct about the freehand stuff. EVERY time i try to freehand , even with a line to follow, it looks like i was drunk while doing it...

[@t3chnicianb3000]

Thanks Matt!! Very timely vid for Me. I am about to put My 50a Plasma into service. I just bought an inexpensive ($40) hand truck to make a cart for My rig. This will be fun for sure. Have a Great Day Sir!!

[@bobbybird9433]

Well that clears up a few things. Bought one and just went at it. Didn’t realise I could hold the tip on the work. Also didn’t know you could get rid of slag etc. Nice mate. Cheers

[@landonlehman5497]

I like how you notched the square tool out to clearance the plasma cutter. I might do that to mine.

[@koenjanssen81]

Thanks for making this video!! I just bought my first plasma cutter and found this very helpful. Bending the guide is a very helpful tip (lifehack) 👍🏾

[@OldJoe212]

It was nice to see that you got a really nice shout-out from Trev's Blog. Just so happens to be my 2 favorite sites. Hope you get over your cold soon.

[@maxcarter3413]

Best plasma cutting tips I have seen. Thanks!

[@paulreynolds9003]

You can get an app for your phone what will tell you the amp you should be set at for the thickness of materials your using. Might be of help for beginners.

[@garygrainger978]

Well explained Matt, I've had my plasma cutter for 3 years, I set it all up and then put it back in the box (un- used) where it still sits today, Impulse buy as I always promised myself one but I don't weld regular enough now days to warrant un-packing it all, (Lazy Git) One day though! This video might make me use it? Thanks Matt.

[@Enonymouse_]

@MichaelKingsfordGray building welding cart and benches whilst simultaneously teaching myself welding because i'm tired of stuff sitting on the floor or having to work on the floor of my garage. Slack shaming indeed. :) I bought a plasma cutter recently after running into things that stopped me from progressing on ideas (oh sh-- I could do that but.. I don't have X tool), plasma cutter actually solves quite a few tooling issues but it has a few requirements of it's own. An inline dryer and water/oil separator positioned at the cutter unit for one. Water trap on it's own is not enough, you run the risk of ruining the gun assembly (300 dollars for a new plasma gun) if you don't take proper precautions.

[@Xpp.]

I bought a cheap Chinese ebay plasma ... never used one before so just went full on trial and error .... i found for odd shapes you can even use cardboard as a guide / template ! Great vid ! Must make one of these circle jigs !

[@MadsWorld34]

I have been wanting one of these for years and said no way it cost to much plus I have a torch so why would I ever need one. BUT today I got a chance to play with one. after about 30 minutes I was cutting 1/4 steel plates to build a bumper for a tractor and then cutting sheet metal for a roof of a bronco. I ordered one tonight from amazon will have it here by April 3rd.

[@alm7707]

This video will help me a lot with my new plasma cutter. I still need my oxy/acetylene torch for heating and bending, but the last tank of acetylene was $299.00 Canadian for about a 3 cu. ft. tank refill, so it's easy to see how the plasma cutter can save some cash.

[@terencehawkes3933]

Fabulous practical tips for using a plasma cutter. Also I did not know to watch out for air delivery rates when buying a plasma cutter. Very useful information....Thanks!

[@JustDoinMeOfficial]

I'm just wanting to get into using a plasma to be able to do designs on firepits and silhouette designs on signage etc. I"ve done stick and mig welding for a long time, but never used a plasma cutter. So I found you channel and thanks so much for sharing your tutorial, it helped a lot cheers.

[@dielauwen]

You may be surprised to see a proper oxy torch cut. Most do not realize it can be done without slag or dross. Plasma cut is better in that it is a bit safer and easier . Thanks MAT good show again.

[@cbsos4u1952]

One of the BEST things regarding a Plasma cutters unlike Oxy acetylene they require no cylinders which are RENTALS and the cost of long term rental is cripplling unless you have many jobs that require oxy cutting, most shops have a compressor.

[@mcdowell356]

I found this video very helpful . One thing I,d say , I,ve had those kind of jackets catch fire from sparks . I was using an angle grinder at the time . Stay safe and thanks for the vid.

[@geoffhalstead1811]

Snap! I burned a big hole in mine, so now wear a leather welding apron when I do something that generates sparks.

[@koolkar55]

Thank you Matt. I'm an old OXY man so this was very interesting to me having never used a plasma. I'm about to start a fairly big project that will require a fair amount of cutting so I'll be looking into a purchase now I understand a little more about them. Good on you for sharing your knowledge Mate as it is invaluable to me & many others I would assume. Again many thanks Billy J.... OZLAND

[@ldnwholesale8552]

As a newbie to plasma it beats oxy hands down. And no gas bottles either. If I did not have to heat things on occasion I would get rid of the oxy bottles totally. The only thing I gas weld now is old rusty exhausts. And that about once a year.

[@1one3_Racing]

I used to watch guys on KZbin and tv plasma cutting and think "that looks great" then I got one. I tried it out, played around with a few things, and though, this is no better than an oxy but takes longer to set up! But once you dial it in, it's so much better. You can get grinder quality cuts and triple the speed. I was cutting up old plough discs to make a 4 strand barbed wire spinner and it took me 10 minutes to mark and cut one with the oxy, I said "fuck this" and set up the plasma (I had forgotten about it) and cut the next 3 in 10 minutes.

[@1one3_Racing]

You absolutely get a better cut dragging the tip. When I learnt I tried hovering and my cuts were rough. Plus every shake of the hand shows up. Dragging stabilises the torch, blocks the arc and stops spatter blow back

[@lcmotorvehiclerepair3961]

I'm a bit late to the party but thanks for these tips and tricks. Got me right up to speed. Cheers.

[@a41capt]

Great video Matt. I’m just purchasing my first plasma cutter, I’m an old oxy-acetylene guy, and I want to be able to cut non-ferrous metals. Very descriptive, and I’d never have considered just going all in on the amperage setting without your excellent explanation of why.

[@bud1412]

Nice job, big difference with the higher cut speed. Thank you

[@musicbluesman08]

Great video Matt, presenting with a cold is never pleasant, however you got all the main points across very well, especially liked the straight edge mod, I will certainly use that one. Dave Pease South Coast Welder Training

[@martinrps13]

11:44 How does the plasma tip make an arc when you held it off of the metal? I don’t understand how it does that without connecting to a ground.

[@darkstar5566]

I always come here to learn little tricks and tips that i can use in the fab shop I work at! Great videos!

[@coplandjason]

Very useful video - I have the smaller Tech 30amp plasma cutter but I've never used it. Picked up a lot of tips from watching this so I feel happy to give it a go now - just ordered the safety glasses and a respirator (hadn't given a though to the need for a respirator until watching this video). Thanks for posting!

[@trevorjarvis3021]

brilliant teaching video Matt, very good indeed.

[@jadonclifton]

Thank you for this video- using a plasma cutter for the first time to demo a giant furnace thing. Very excited:)

[@narongrit3061]

Very cool !! I got many slag because I move the torch so face I will try your way Cheer ! from Thailand

[@ralfhedstrom]

Great video Matt! Love these tip-videos too….and speaking about a tip, upside down, with the open part of the loop in the slot (at 04:05), will work better ;)

[@lyleswan6671]

I have owned a Hypertherm powermax 600 for over twenty years, it's a little beat up(sometimes I literally have to beat the side of the unit to get the air solenoid to shut off) but works great mostly. I can honestly say it is my all time favorite tool I own. If you're on the fence of buying a plasma cutter and do much fab work at all, buy it. You won't regret it(unless you buy one that don't work right, cause that would suck). I would love to upgrade to powermax 65, but hard to justify when my museum piece still kicks ass. My .02 worth.

[@georgespangler1517]

Glad I stuck around learned slot as I'm new to plasma

[@grahamatkinson7276]

What a good video easy instruction looking forward to cutting hole in my new smoke box for chimney to mount over, have not used my plasma cutter yet.

[@driftinso]

Great Tip on putting a bend in your straightedge!

[@terryhites1]

Just got a plasma cutter, haven't even put it together, thanks good video

[@SilverStarHeggisist]

So finding out that the torch can touch the material has now made getting into this exponentially easier.

[@jarrodvw9794]

Thank you for the tips! I have a Everlast PowerUltra 206Pi. I have used the plasma for a few projects but the slag has always kept me from using it a lot. It's a 50 amp and I always assumed it was the machine. Everytime I watch one of your videos and I see you use the plasma and just cut something like butter, and i'm like I wish mine could do that. It turns out I alway just use it at the minimum settings. So now I need to try and turn it up a bit till a find the sweet spot. I can't wait to give this a try!

[@drakeswake]

Have you tried it out yet with different settings? I have the same machine from Everlast and I'm trying to learn how to use it. What air compressor are you running? I saw a video from Everlast that said you need at least 5.0 CFM at 90 PSI to operate the cutter properly.

[@jarrodvw9794]

@@drakeswake Yes, it's cuts much better a lost less slag and a cleaner cut. I have a 60 gallon Husky, the CFM at 90 PSI is 11.5 on it.

[@benw834]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge Matt. Brilliant video. Cheers, Ben

[@MadsWorld34]

a couple years ago someone stole my bottles and it was going to cost me over $1100 us dollars to replace them then every couple months have to fill them again. so that's another $85 US dollars. that's why I have been watching videos on plasma cutters. and think this is what i'm about to buy in the next couple months. thanks for the info I will be needing it i'm sure.

[@MalcOfLincoln]

Top job as ever Matt. Think? I told you I first heard of/ used a plasma cutter at my friends garage in 1996. He cut 1/2 inch steel plate for the door plate on the Montego rookie banger. At the time I made some petrol tanks. Could still see to weld then (grin). Plasma was a brilliant tool for cutting the sheet for them. If you look at 25 seconds of this "Skegness Banger Team Classic.........The Cars" You can see one.

[@cdrive5757]

The best part was the "Oh shit!" moment at `2min-39sec . It's a real live shop moment that's probably universal the world over! Thanks, Chris

[@codprawn]

Brilliant video. I thought my cheap plasma cutter was crap. Its probably me!

[@pjwlk]

Excellent video! Thanks from Canada!

[@cyberfox981]

Thanks for your time to teach rest of us something new =)

[@malone6t6]

first video I have watched of yours, sure wont be the last, thanks

[@jerryquigg3497]

Excellent - You tought me to operate the plasma cutter at its max current setting and then to simply adjust the travel speed.

[@daleskidmore1685]

SV Seeker uses a plasma cutter a lot on their boat, they buy those set squares by the dozen. Until seeing this vid, I didn't know there were many factors involved in doing it. Nice explanation. Enjoying the channel and the build.

[@Urchfab]

Cheers.

[@Engineerboy100]

Excellent presentation, I learned a lot. Thanks. I don't have a cutter but I've been toying with the idea.

[@PacificPinesRanch]

Thx for the tips! Great video. I plasma cut sooooo much so this was really helpful! 😊🔥🛠

[@Marky.H]

Great video. Thank you for taking the time to post

[@guillermonieri4203]

I learned more this second time. Thank you.

[@steveash656]

New to plasma cutting. Top tips.

[@missionDan]

Aight! This is the second video of yours that has helped me, thanks very much and keep it up. Going out to my little workshop with my 9yr old and we will master plasma cutting over the next few nights

[@crazycoyote1738]

Great explanation bro, now after understanding the basics, I’m finally buying a plasma cutter. And by the way, some of us here in America, are saying aluminyoom too.. LOL. Thanks.

[@ihatekate08]

That’s cool, but you’re wrong 🤣

[@Afrodizyak47]

Great tips and content as always Matt.. One thing my two boilermaker friends told me when using plasma and especially with aluminium, is don't ever cut above water bowl, (such as a cut off section of a drum), which you may have put on the floor, by the bench, to catch all the dross from the cut...the dross explodes on contact and you can get seriously burned ..

[@Urchfab]

I have not come across that and I'm not organised enough to have a bin to catch the dross so I should be alright. Cheers

[@donsmith9081]

That might have something to do with Thermite

[@iant720]

I thought I was getting slag from going to fast! So I go even slower! Wow I was totally wrong. Awesome video

[@jimedwards82]

Great video, recently bought a plasma cutter so I will try out these tips when I fire it up. Thanks.

[@kenspaceman3938]

Thanks for helping out us newbies!

[@cab4word]

Thank you for this video. I just got my cutter

[@joandar1]

Good info Mate, I am a newbie and this helps me, Thumbs up. John, Australia.

[@rohanplantboyjames6812]

OMG I can't wait to start my new job just to try out a plasma cutter.

[@rohanplantboyjames6812]

@Evan really good. Haven't used plasma cutter much but using a lot of grinders which has been fun. Scrap metal is more interesting than I thought.

[@tomherd4179]

Thanks, lots of good tips. After seeing your cuts I think my new name should be Mr. Slag. I probably have done most everything a little wrong thus far. But I have succeeded in keeping myself out of the plasma stream. I really respect it!

[@garagemonkeysan]

Nice video. Great tips. Always great to see a master at work. : )

[@donovanf1]

A very useful tutorial Matt full of helpful information. Cheers Malcolm

[@williambiggs2308]

21:12 would a teflon washer attached to the cutter's face reduce the sliding friction for smoother cuts?

[@Hacraa]

Had to order one of those hoodies just to support this channel, been planning to buy plasma cutter for a while, now i might know how to use one properly (maybe).

[@F.Krueger-cs4vk]

Great informational video. Waiting $245 cheap 60 amp cutter from ebay. Some say their ok, others no not so good. Hope it works ok. 🖐 🇦🇺

[@Sctronic209]

Nice will getting my plasma cutter next week.

[@clfung2008]

Nice video and clear explanation of how to use this equipment ! I like it ! Thanks for sharing !

[@actorzone856]

I had a compressor which had good pressure but wouldn't run some tools, found out the original outlet valve on the tank only had a small hole and was restricting the air flow, I replaced it with a 12 mm ball valve, much better.

[@luizguilhermecosta7221]

Can I use a cutter tip and set a current (A) lower than recommended for cutting thin sheet? for example, use a 1.6mm nozzle to cut a 1mm thick sheet with a working current of 60A?

[@niceguy1183]

Super good tips! LOTS to think about! I was using the standoff guide that came with it, but I think you are right to forget trying to keep the gap. The circle guide you showed is AWESOME!! I want to go back out to the shop and play with the great ideas you gave (2:00AM here now)! LOL! To bad my brand new 'Lotos 50A pilot arc cutter' died today with a loud POP after only 20 minutes of cutting out of the box brand new! It figures I would get a defective one! At least I bought the 3 year Home Depot extended warranty! One question, I needed to cut through a 1 inch thick pipe that was welded onto the side of a front straight axle with a large amount of weld at the base. What is the best way cut through a piece that is thicker than the cutter can pass through in one pass? I know you cant have a clean cut but it was melting in globs. That was when the cutter died.

[@johnnyfannucci]

Nice one Matt, excellent video. straight to the point...

[@scott2735]

Thanks for the vid, I wondered why I was getting slag when cutting. I would really like to see a vid of you getting your bead roller motorized.

[@Urchfab]

On the list, Cheers

[@parkerolympian73]

@@Urchfab u

[@martinsmith8417]

Great tips and tricks there Matt, in relation to your cold tho if you peel a clove of raw garlic and get it down you either by itself if you handle it or on cheese on toast or something it blows out colds and coughs in no time, its a natural anti biotic which doesn't bash your immune system like anti biotics from the doctor, if you can do two a day for about 3 days, it will blow your cold out in no time.

[@1966myke]

Cheers used oxy for years new to plasma this will help me