Plasma Cutting Tips
A Pre-Cut Checklist Before Plasma Cutting
You might have already chosen a plasma cutter so that you can go ahead with your plasma cutting project. However, that does not mean that you can just go ahead and start on the actual cutting work. Even if you have the best plasma cutter, it is still a given for you to prepare the materials necessary for the project. There are things that you also have to set beforehand. Here is the pre-cut checklist to take note of when doing plasma cutting.
First, you have to get the manual and check the safety procedures meant for the usage of this tool. You must make sure to follow the proper safety procedures. You also have to wear the proper personal safety equipment such as dark goggles, long sleeves, and gloves before you start on the work. The owner's manual should give you a good insight on what safety practices to adopt so read it thoroughly.
The torch tip, shield cup, and electrode should be inspected. If you see that they are worn out already, then you must make sure to replace them. It might be expensive to replace these worn out item but it is more convenient and less expensive compared to getting a low quality plasma cut. Worn parts promote lower quality performance and even operator frustration. Replacing the worn part before you start work will spare you from that then.
Check your compressor as well as your bottle gauge. As much as possible, you must check the gas or air pressure. This is because you need to make sure that you will be given a steady supply of plasma jet stream. Otherwise, your work will just be interrupted.
Turn on your plasma cutting machine and then set the amperage control. In setting the amperage control, start with the maximum output. Once you have done that, you should then proceed to checking the air pressure. You should see no anomalies there.
The ground clamp is an important part of the plasma cutting machine. You will have to decide where you will be placing that then. When you have already decided on a position where you will secure your ground clamp, you have to make sure to grind off paint or rust. This advice is especially critical when you are using a 12-amp plasma cutting machine. These smaller units do not have sufficient power to go through paint and rust like how the large units can.
When finding the position where you will be securing the ground clamp, decide on a spot that is closer to the cut. Moreover, you should make sure to secure this ground clamp on the actual work piece itself, if possible. After that, you must check for loose connections between the clamp and the work cable.
You might be nervous since this is the first time that you will be handling the machine. Do your best to relax. You should not hold your torch too firmly. That will just make your hands shake even more. Once you have prepared yourself for the actual plasma cutting work, you can then proceed to cutting. Click Here for Basic Plasma Cutting Tips