Plasma Cutting: "What Could Possibly Go Wrong?!" - Kevin Caron

From www.kevincaron.com - Artist Kevin Caron points out some of the mistakes to avoid when using a plasma cutter to cut metal ....
Caron is working on a new fountain and needs to cut some metal to skin the sides of the water feature's arch. That makes this a good time to discuss some problems to avoid when using a plasma cutter.
The first thing you want to do is make sure your plasma cutter is plugged in and that you have air. Make sure your compressor is running and that you have your air pressure set right not only on your compressor but also on your machine for whatever you are cutting.
What are the right settings? Caron is cutting some 1/8" mild steel plate, so he has his amperage set at about 32. The air pressure is still set at 90 PSI because he was cutting some half-inch plate recently, so he's going to back it off to about 55 PSI. He just put a brand new nozzle and electrode on the cutting torch - they're small (about an .030) so he doesn't need a lot of amperage or air pressure. He's just cutting something thin, so that's about right for this job.
How do you know how to set it? Caron called George at George's Plasma Cutter Shop and spent some time talking about tip sizes, pressures, amperages, etc. But you can also just get online and search for "correct plasma cutter amperage air pressure settings" or go to www.weld.com and ask on the Weekend Warrior forum - there are a lot of knowledgeable people there who can help.
Now that your machine is set up and your settings are adjusted, you have your ground hooked up, your metal clamped down and marked where you want to cut, it's time to get suited up with safety equipment. Use dark glasses, gloves, a jacket and proper clothing - don't try to plasma cut in shorts, sneaker, fabric boots, etc. Wear leather boots - there're a lot of hot sparks and molten metal flying.
When you check on your air compressor and hook up your air to the machine, make sure you have a water separator somewhere in the line. The AHP AlphaCUT 60 he is using has a water separator built in to the machine, but if it's an older plasma cutter, it may not have one. So you either need a water separator that goes on the back of the machine, one that goes on your air compressor or somewhere. You want clean, dry air - it'll help your plasma cutter last longer.
Caron shows a big water separator he put on a couple of years ago when he had a plasma cutter that didn't have a built in one. He just left this one on - two water separators are even better!
It's time to make sparks! Caron urges viewers not to try to freehand the cut. No matter how young or steady you are, you aren't going to get the smoothest cut you can. You can use a pair of "training wheels," use a straight edge, or even just brace a finger or hand to keep your plasma cutting torch steady.
Caron braces his hand on his work and cuts a curve - until he starts coughing. "Oh! I forgot something," he admits, and puts on a respirator before he finishes his cut.
So these are some tips and tricks that will give you better cuts, make your machine last longer, and reduce your stress and frustration.
Caron is ready to go find a cold adult beverage, so you can take a moment to subscribe to see more videos - he adds one each Wednesday - and then go out to www.kevincaron.com to see more how-to videos and his wild sculptures.
Or you could hang around for one more moment for an honest admission ....
"Inspired sculpture for public & private places."
Artist Kevin Caron has been sculpting full time since 2006. You can see his more than 45 commissions in public and private places coast-to-coast and online at www.kevincaron.com.
Please follow me!
Twitter: / kevincaronart
Facebook:
/ kevincaronst. .

[@fastsofaracing]

I love how he says "don't try to free hand when using a plasma cutter." Then proceeds to rock out a perfect arc. LIKE A BOSS. Keep the great vids coming.

[@lynnemmett2183]

fastsofaracing “

[@mustie1]

one trick l do for curves is magnetic tape used for art projects, like refridge magnets, its sold in rolls and its flexible 10 foot lenths, make whatever shape you want and it holds itself to the steel, l like to back it with another strip so it wont move but its not necessary , it does get beat up after a while, but its pretty cheape

[@shimarlie1]

can you drop a link as to what you're talking about ?

[@jonryan391]

I love using my Everlast plasma cutter. Most useful tool I never even knew existing a few years back.

[@CharlesStruble]

Thanks guys! As ever, good info, produced in an easy to understand manner. On the "avoid free hand" topic, I have made wooden templates cuz they are easy to make and usually only have to last one cut. helps...

[@scottthomas7571]

+Charles Struble I got that advice from my friend when I was borrowing his everlast plasma cutter. Plasma cutting looks really easy in videos but it is actually a bit challenging to follow a straight line while keeping a consistent height and travel rate.

[@robertdavis6708]

Kevin ... you truly are a"Cutting Wizard ". Thanks for the " Tune Up ".

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Thanks for watching!

[@peterbaynes5804]

Good tips thanks Kevin. Even though I know it's coming the "Hey Kevin..." at the beginning of your videos always makes me smile :)

[@craigspicer2145]

Thanks for the tips and especially the safety equipment needed.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

You are welcome. Great to have you on the channel.

[@RichardCummins-ni4em]

Another trap, I had my plasma cutter set up and I thought ready to go, had air pressure in the machine and air in the 12 ft air hose Began the cut and the tip exploded with an impressive flash. Isolation valve at the compressor regulator was closed, all looked OK at the machine prior to operation but rapidly lost air pressure when cut commenced.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Damn!! Never heard of this happening. Did you figure out what happened?

[@duggandh]

Like the parallel lines for guiding the cut.

[@TheAntipedy]

Thank you Kevin - very helpful and can understand you loud and clear . Most yanks have a horrible accent and speak to fast and we on the other side of the world cant understand what there saying .

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Thank you!

[@jamiethomas4716]

I've definitely made some rookie mistakes when I first used my everlast plasma cutter. I sure wish I saw this video before that.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Amazing how easy it is to do the wrong thing at the right time.

[@sgsellsit]

This guy is so goofy. I love it. All kidding aside though he is very knowledgeable and informative.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

+sgsellsit Thanks,, best thing anyone has called me in a while...

[@Gears.and.Gadgets]

good video. I see I'm not the only one who forgot the ground clamp.

[@bruscifer]

Oh Kevin! Learn so much from your videos.. thank you sir!

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Thanks for stopping by my friend!

[@carloscardova4221]

Thank you for the tip Kevin, good demonstration with the plasma cutter. got to add one to my collection of tool real soon.

[@damnvan]

I know you mention proper foot wear; however, I would add that users should be aware how far sparks can travel. Cleaning rags, paper products, and plastics can be ignited, not to mention chemicals. It also sucks to set fire to your project drawings before you are done. It happens. Love your videos by the way.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Great message! Thanks for posting and watching.

[@WILSON.1]

You should have a spot on PBS. This Old House needs a welder!

[@KevincaronSculpture]

+WILSON! Almost had a show of my own.. The casting company picked the other guys instead.. Their show lasted one season...

[@WILSON.1]

Try try try again in TV!

[@GeeKayKayGee]

Water separators for compressed air must not be over sized. If your plasma cutter is using 6 cfm and your water separator is rated at 25 cfm, the air velocity through the separator may not be fast enough to adequately remove all the water from the compressed air stream. Sized correctly the water separator is just the first step in providing clean dry air. Air should next pass through a coalescing filter with a Grade 6 element to remove oil and water aerosols from the compressed air stream. It is even more important that the air be clean and dry and free from oil aerosols when using a multi function machine such as a plasma / TIG combination as the air for the plasma and the argon for the TIG will likely use the same line and valves within the machine. Any oil or other contaminants deposited on the internal piping by the air will be picked up by the argon when TIG welding leading to bad welds and shorter life for consumables both plasma and TIG. A water separator followed by a coalescing filter should be a minimum for the air supply needed for this type of equipment operation. Other compressed air needs in the shop such as when spray painting or blowing off a wood surface prior to finishing, may benefit from the addition of a desiccant filter to further dry the air stream. I am not an expert in this area and this information right or wrong is based on my recent research online and discussions with air filter suppliers. Parker air filters and Norgren air filters both have extensive information available online and may well be of great benefit. teamtechnical.com/html/Parker%20Basics%20of%20Coalescing.pdf might be a good place to start.

[@GeeKayKayGee]

I should add that while water separators should not be over sized, desiccant filters, in general, will benefit from be over sized and coalescing filters may (I think) benefit from being over sized.

[@deltajohnny]

@@GeeKayKayGee thank you very much for the very useful information👏👏👏

[@Stan_in_Shelton_WA]

Air basics; Keep the water filter as far away from the compressor as possible. Warm air does not dry well. It's okay to remove oil while it warm. Remove water while it's cold, as close to 32 as possible.

[@warrenzausa3145]

Hey Kevin! ☺🙌 really helpful tips and tutorial.

[@nedflinders8006]

Nice freehand, old man!

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Watch the "Old" cracks sonny!

[@randy4024]

Please explain the application of 0.03” plasma cutting nozzle size, vs 0.06” plasma cutting nozzle. Thanks

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Smaller nozzle for lower amps and finer cuts.

[@gattbe5611]

I know everyone likes to wear glasses when plasma cutting, but wouldn't a tinted face shield be a lot safer..just a thought. love your videos.. best wishes Bill

[@KevincaronSculpture]

+gatt be Not sure, never tried one...

[@Maysin777]

Steady Eddie! Perfect cut!

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Or as close as i can get!

[@cdsparksart4440]

i like the two line method to cut by nice trick

[@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?

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Sure you can! It might not be the best set up, but it should work just fine.

[@roostercogburn597]

This fella sounds exactly like whispering bill Anderson. Country singer back in the day. And has a strong resemblance to him as well Could be his cousin I don't know

[@KevincaronSculpture]

I'm not but thank you anyway.

[@TinManKustoms]

Hey kevin you forgot to mention to make sure all torch cords arent under where your cutting. ive burn throw a couple while cutting steel. Nothing worse then almost finished what you need to cut and you have that screw up.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

+TinManKustoms Great tip!!!!

[@ccswelding1599]

are you ever in the kitchen making a sandwich, them hear "the voice" behind you..."hey kevin...what are you workin on?"

[@KevincaronSculpture]

+CCs Welding Yes, normally followed by "I want one!"... I love my life!!!

[@Don.Challenger]

Umm, wasn't that supposed to be "wife"? Give her yours and make another - so soon after Valentines. Always good videos with good information and some humor makes very good teaching moments. Thanks.

[@MrPipvampire]

A super terrific tutorial

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Thanks for watching and posting. Don't forget to click an ad or two. Helps to pay for the videos.

[@douglasalan7786]

Ya gotta admit............the 70's were a blast.....;-)

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Hell, if you remember the 70s you weren't there!

[@chamilaherath7875]

Nice one Kevin.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Thanks for watching!

[@MrRenoman2011]

Great video Kevin

[@fatboyfester]

Don't forget the ground clamp ! I've done that several times LOL

[@KevincaronSculpture]

+fatboyfester Head hung low!!! Yeah, me too....

[@roberternest2402]

Me three. Scratching my head and pulling the trigger on my everlast plasma cutter multiple times to see the pilot arc initiate but no cutting flame. More scratching and more cursing and then the light bulb goes on .... what an idiot I am! No ground clamp.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

LOL,, happened to me just the other day!

[@swinefeaster]

Any tips on what to attach the ground clamp to? I'll be cutting under a car port...

[@Man-in-da-shed]

I'm Glad it's not just me then

[@qalas7327]

Do you make the tip touch the cutting surface or theres a distance to maintain?

[@KevincaronSculpture]

If you are using a drag tip you can put it right on the metal. Otherwise, nope, you have to keep about a 1/8th inch gap from tip to metal.

[@joemurray8902]

Is there any problem with using a 100psi? Will it affect the longevity of the consumables?

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Makes for a more ragged cut and longer flame so whatever you are cutting on will get hacked as well.

[@joemurray8902]

@@KevincaronSculpture Thanks!

[@bobweiram6321]

What about electrocution? The pilot's voltage is over 100V DC.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

I have never been shocked by the plasma cutter. Of course, I don't put my finger over the end of the torch either!

[@sanjaysami4315]

That’s a crazy freehand curve 😳

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Just showing my inner self!!

[@1111TerryD]

AHP told me to set the pressure as a working pressure. (with the trigger pulled)

[@SonofGodly]

For all you non paying attention folks who in the comments ask him questions that are already answered in video,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,watch it again,,if you have more questions ,,like he said GOOGLE IT

[@DolfocarAli]

will made video thanks for shearing

[@mick2d2]

What would happen with too much air pressure? tHANKS.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Cut quality goes down, more ragged edges, more dross hanging on the undersides. Lower life on the consumables. Bigger mess on the floor to clean up.

[@mick2d2]

@@KevincaronSculpture Cheers!

[@billcallaway5736]

Nice video.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Thanks for watching Bill. Don't forget to check out my website and see the rest of my work. www.kevincaron.com

[@Mrjoelaguirre]

This is nice tips to everyone

[@2secondslater]

One other tip, make sure your earth is not connected to the bit that is going to fall off

[@KevincaronSculpture]

I hate it when that happens!

[@g.fortin3228]

I always thought one needed to wear the welding mask at a lighter shade, but those looked like sunglasses ?? were they a special pair , and if so, what shade needed for plasma cutting ?? Or what shade needed to choose on my miller helmet ?

[@KevincaronSculpture]

I have some very dark sunglasses I use as well as cutting glasses. The sunglasses are about a shade 8 and the cutting glasses are a shade 9. You can use the shade 9 setting in your helmet to cut with. But this is just how I do it. You need to adjust this to your shop and situation.

[@g.fortin3228]

@@KevincaronSculpture Your reply is much appreciated.. thanks for the info ! I want to stay safe when I start using the machine. It's on order right now. I subbed to your channel! Lots of good welding stuff here and you cover the newbies too! I like the what could go wrong series too. Thanks !

[@RichardCummins-ni4em]

My carelessness is what happened, I had isolated air at the compressor to avoid it starting via gradual leakage in the air hose / fittings. Air pressure [and some volume] remained in the line sealed by dry break Nitto couplings. When I plugged air line into the machine the machine's pressure gauge read correct so all good to go [so I thought]. I started the cut and within about a second air volume within the air line was exhausted and a small sun appeared briefly at the tip !

[@KevincaronSculpture]

I hate it when that happens! Glad you are okay. The machine is fixable.

[@chiathach206]

I tried running it with my lincoln welder generator but plasma arc keep on going off and on off and on... what could this mean ? Is it the generator power fluctuation issue ?

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Correct, the generator is not doing it's job.

[@HotWaxArgentina]

excellent

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@dondawson1]

I keep forgetting to plug in the control cable on my Everlast powerpro 164 plasma torch. Duh!

[@stuartgeller7937]

+Donald Dawson I'm glad I'm not the only forgetting to do that! I do like my everlast welder though. I just need to work on my memory!

[@WilliamMcNett]

You forgot shorts and sandals 🤓 that glob of molten steel left it's mark on the top of my foot 🤠

[@KevincaronSculpture]

I was hoping those would be a given! And yes, I have a scar on my leg from the same thing!

[@squirrelgray945]

Love your videos. Super inspirational :D

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Thanks for watching.

[@benaplokcampandgo]

good day sir. im planning to buy plasma but im not sure what air compressor needed. thus 1/4 horsepower enough? and what type of plasma should i buy? the cut 30, 40,or 50, ....? please advise. t nx much

[@KevincaronSculpture]

You will need about 60 gallons of storied air to run a plasma correctly. The size of the motor matters not. Look at the max cut thickness of the plasma cutters and get one that will do just a little over what your welder will weld. I have a 1-1/4 inch capable machine because I do on occasion cut 1 inch plate.

[@marksmith5156]

Looking to buy a plasma cutter with a built in compressor what is the power rating on the plug will it working a standard 13 amp household socket regards mark

[@charlesdyer2376]

Hey Kevin that's a pretty good cut for an old man, Ha Ha. don't they provide a guide chart with the machine giving the amp, ,pressure.an tip guide ? written english of course.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

+Charles Dyer Nope, no guide chart.. will talk to the owner and see if he can add it to the box. I talked to George at Georgesplamscuttershop.com. Very knowledgeable and very helpful...

[@markduncan3827]

love your work!!! I've been fabricating since 1971! never had need for plasma cutter, life long dream to build a sailboat , YES A STEEL BOAT, its what i know. i will be cutting, 7 gauge, 10 gauge, and 3/16 inch. on a budget what do you recommend ? thanks for your time !

[@KevincaronSculpture]

+mark duncan Really like the AHP AlphaCut 60, it will be back on the market soon... Next would be the Everlast PowerPlasma 80. Also have had good luck with the Longevity ForceCut machines....

[@troypaul2367]

I too would like to build a steel boat, a sailboat, one day! I can see it now, one man's modern day Noah's ark going together in the backyard. Much smaller of course!!

[@geraldtuck8864]

i just bought a lotos ltp6000 plasma cutter.Got all wiring and air hooked up and it want fire at all. can anyone tell me why it want start..very upset about this .

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Need a lot more info to help you with this.. Have you got the plug wired correctly? Does the machine come on at all? Just won't fire the torch? Do you have enough air pressure to run the machine? Have you tested the plug with a known to be good machine?

[@friendlypiranha774]

You are very amusing. I enjoyed your video, thanks. Especially your credits at the end:-)

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Thanks, always was the class clown.

[@SnakePliscan]

Does this machine have a pilot arc?

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Yes, it does have a pilot arc.

[@aripratama333]

Hi , kevin. May i ask you? I'm new to this. My question : should i open the air compressor valve full open or partial to adjust the air amount. Thx.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

The valve on the tank needs to be full open. The pressure regulator on the plasma cutter is set with the knob on the regulator to what shows on the dial.

[@aripratama333]

Kevin Caron, Artist so i do not need to worry about the cfm setting. Since i read in some forum there is cfm involve while i never knew how to set cfm. I just knew compressed air pressure only. I just knew about this cfm.

[@urgentcareguy3]

Never wear plasma cutting glasses while driving. They look like nice sun glasses. It will blank out light coming from a traffic light. It will look like traffic light is dead!

[@KevincaronSculpture]

+urgentcareguy3 And you know this how?!?!?!?

[@urgentcareguy3]

LOL yep, I did this.

[@urgentcareguy3]

Jackson Safety 3004761 Nemesis Cutting Safety Glasses Black Frame / IRUV 5.0 Shade Green Lens (19860)

[@draco2202]

Shade 5 or lighter is fine I use shad 3 for driving

[@brettharvey5990]

Is a plasma cutter like a cutting torch

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Yes, but with compressed air and electricity instead of flame.

[@kazelroy]

watching this at 0.25x speed is highly recommended. I haven't laughed so hard in a hot minute! you can use shift + < or > to speed up/down quickly

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Have to try this I guess. What is so funny?

[@kazelroy]

@@KevincaronSculpture Just entertaining seeing human expressions and sounds drawn out so slow, and it seems to pair well with the context of this video. We all look and sound pretty silly this slow, it's nothing personal. You give some great tips. I stumbled into it after the previous video ended, while trying to see what part of a welder ignited first.

[@Sirnielson]

Hi, do you need special cutting glasses ? I need a mask fore tig and mig mma. What dou you use fore plasma, will it damage your eyes

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Yes, it will ruin your eyes!! I wear the same dark glasses I use for oxy/acy welding. So far no problems.

[@Sirnielson]

Do you have a link ore a brand of the glasses, You can make a video about safty, its noware on youtube

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Anything shade 5 or darker will work. This is what I have,,,www.amazon.com/Miller-Electric-Welding-Glasses-Scratch-Resistant/dp/B003H1J5E6

[@tomcosta47]

I really like this Man !!!

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Thank you for watching!

[@Chris-ox7qx]

Kevin, I've also got and Alpha Cut 60 (got from you) and an array of George's consumables in various sizes. Do you have a chart or something from your conversation with George on matching nozzles/tips/amps/PSI to material being cut? I have a rough idea but most of the time, I'm just guessing.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

+Christopher Peralta try these , 0.6mm nozzle/20amps/60psi 0.8mm nozzle/30amps/65-70psi 1mm nozzle/40-50amps/75psi

[@Chris-ox7qx]

+Kevin Caron, Artist Thanks Kevin. Do you also stick to the 1 amp per 1/100 inch of steel?

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Yes, seems to work there as well..

[@johngalt9262]

I've forgot the ground clamp.. :-(

[@tomherd4179]

You got hair, me not so much. I usually wear some sort of welding cap so I don't burn up what is left :-)

[@Pukwudgie_Surprise]

You rock!

[@Casavlog777]

super .. bravo

[@sylvanenergy]

I thought you had a portable fume extractor system

[@KevincaronSculpture]

+Sylvan Energy Solutions Nope, just open the door and don't inhale...

[@mr.kimbess5873]

Hello Kevin did your wife get you the license plate on the wall that says studly?

[@KevincaronSculpture]

LOL, Yes she did. We were on our honeymoon in the UK and stopped in the town of "Studley". And many years late I had a Dodge Ram with the 10 cylinder engine and I commented that it had a high "Studleyness" factor.

[@joolsmuz]

ok yeah i see whats happening, its mr tumble does plasma cutting!! yeeharr

[@KevincaronSculpture]

and who is Mr. Tumble?!?!?

[@sttm1283]

what filter type for the respirator?

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Not sure, got them at the local welding supply. They are for welding fumes..

[@slarson1706]

Maybe you've had this answered already but I a basic N95 filter mask when cutting mild steel. If that's not adequate then I'd be using charcoal.

[@stevenlawrence9805]

I see what you mean about cutting free hand... A little choppy.

[@Nic-bi2sz]

OR GAL!!

[@KevincaronSculpture]

That is true!! Thanks for keeping me in line!

[@Nic-bi2sz]

Kevin Caron, Artist You're awesome! Thanks for sharing ❤

[@joolsmuz]

is this serious.... or am i dreaming What could possibly go wrong....... can you give me an hour or two??

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Just trying to pay it forward.

[@joolsmuz]

no disrespect to mr tumble obviously..

[@canuckloyalist4681]

Bit of a hairball there Kev?

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Yeah, it happens sometimes...

[@canuckloyalist4681]

Ahh, we've all been there a time or two! LOL!

[@CristianoRonaldo-wt4oj]

5 36 🤮.....

[@igorbacanin5937]

5:37 Crko dabogda

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Right!!! Could not agree more!

[@jamesnightvisions]

5:13

[@RickHawkDavison]

Your last name if French are you?

[@KevincaronSculpture]

+Rick “Hawk” Davison In name only....

[@RickHawkDavison]

Kevin Caron, Artist Had a friend call Kevin Caron in Montreal. Thanks for all your tips, I watch all the time...

[@wpowerwagon]

Ok, (or so) is not an option, thanks, if we have to use google then why did you make this video?

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Why ask why? I make videos because I like to share what I have learned the hard way. Maybe I can make life a little easier for the next person.

[@rolandorobertomurcia4295]

Trasletor in spanish please