What is the Best Air Pressure Settings for a Plasma Cutter?

When plasma cutting, an air compressor is always the must-have partner to do the job. But have you ever wondered how the level of air pressure for a plasma cutting can affect the performance of your plasma torch? What if we adjust the air compressor down when plasma cutting? And see which level is the best for cutting up a sheet of metal? And what could be the lowest air pressure for plasma cutting to still achieve a good cut?
I want to show you guys that by adjusting the air compressor volume you can really affect how long you can plasma cut for. Because compressors come in all different sizes and air pressure capacities. I am getting questions often if a small compressor with a maximum air pressure capacity of 120psi could be used for cutting up metal sheets up to5 mm thick. So what I’m showing in this video is just my smallest air compressor for a plasma cutter which I used mostly for cutting up thinner types of metals.
To add, there are also the very small portable air compressors that can even fit into your car’s glove compartment and you guys are asking if these can inflate tires of different types. Would they have enough air pressure for a plasma cutter? To answer these questions, I also made a video for a small unbranded air compressor which you can watch here.
• Ryobi, Milwaukee, DeWa...
Now, my way of adjusting the plasma cutting air pressure in this video is by balancing the air pressure and air delivery starting with the flat-out level of 110 psi. You can see the cut result on the video and as I go along, I adjusted the psi to 70, then to 60, and lastly to the lowest air pressure for plasma cutting of 35 psi.
Expectedly, as shown in this video, the higher the air pressure being delivered to the torch, the faster you can cut a metal sheet, and the more powerful heat the torch can produce. However, the more air you use, the faster the air is emptied from your compressor. So what we’re up to with this experiment is not just by identifying the lowest level of plasma cutting air pressure to achieve a good cut by also how fast the air will be drained out from the air compressor holding tank based on the level of air pressure being used before it starts again.
In other words, this video can teach you how to adjust the air pressure level of your air compressor according to the type of metal you’re cutting and prevent wasting of air while avoiding the constant restarting of the air compressor.
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[@startingfromscratch7469]

Hi Pete thanks for answering some questions I had in mind. Do you increase the pressure as the material thickness increases?

[@petestools]

Yea otherwise you will burn out your consumables faster.

[@tommasonjr5930]

hello Pete. have you ever tried to use the pilot arc feature of your plasma cutter to try to heat a seized nut to be able to break it loose.

[@petestools]

Hi Tom , yea but ended up cutting the nut off lol.

[@whitefox9]

Its the volume and pressure that factors the cut depth

[@petestools]

Depends on what style tips your running. Cheers Pete

[@georgespangler1517]

But what is the low preemie doing to nozzle? My Miller won't even start with lower than 85 psi not to damage comsumibles and nozzle

[@petestools]

But I am useing a drag tip. Cheers pete

[@Shadow6a]

I have a 45 amp cnc and a 65 amp bestarc and that thing at 65psi will damn near cut 1"

[@petestools]

Yea cool what they will cut.

[@Zeke___Marsh]

I have a question can I use a pt31 head from a cut50 on a cig weld plasma cutter cheers mate

[@petestools]

Sorry I don't know the setup of a cig weld sorry

[@Zeke___Marsh]

@@petestools no worries mate thank you for responding

[@garyyorke1080]

Showing us how it is . Lol surprised you could still cut that low . Cheers for the info . BIG HI PETE lol

[@petestools]

No worries

[@donaldhalls2189]

Thanks again for the information I'm actually looking at getting a plasma cutter I was thinking a pilot arc plasma cutter all the best to you and your loved ones

[@petestools]

Thanks mate

[@jvazquez53]

Mine runs perfect at 65 PSI with a 40 year + old compressor.

[@petestools]

Old Compressors are the best mate .

[@peplegal8253]

Hey guys...I'm building a homebrew (very low cost) CNC and I intend to install a PT-31 torch in it. My question is...what is the thickest metal sheet I could cut with this torch ? (Carbon Steel and Aluminum).

[@petestools]

steel about 6 mm and aluminum doesn't cut very well

[@peplegal8253]

@@petestools : Does AG60 cut Aluminum better ?

[@richardzenzola652]

Great videos Pete. Always wait for the next one

[@petestools]

More to come!

[@mrbigg7255]

👍

[@petestools]

Cheers

[@joegrabovszky147]

Love your vids

[@petestools]

Ta

[@_Junkers]

Would've loved to have seen an up close shot of those cuts. My concern is that at a lower pressure there will be less of a cooling effect.

[@petestools]

Yea your right the less air pressure the hotter it will get .But am only useing 40 amp so will only get so hot.