Picked up a plasma cutter today.

[Kjunky5]

Picked up a Hyperthem plasma cutter today and I'm itching to use it. I need to install a 220 plug/box off of my sub panel. I already have 220 going to the compressor but the amperage is much higher so I want a dedicated plug. Instructions recommend a "slow-burn fuse". Gotta figure that one out. Anybody use an in-line disconnect for a 220 outlet? Pics of set-up?

Peg board is empty because all the tools are now in drawers.

 

[sled_dog]

Sorry I don't have much electrical knowledge, closest I get was making an extension cord for my Plasma Cutter. However, you will LOVE that thing. That is a great unit, I considered that one before purchasing mine(and only got mine cause of convenience). A Plasma Cutter makes the world a better place. All I can say is, WEAR SAFETY GLASSES. You CAN look at the stream while cutting, but I have flashed burned myself multiple times now doing so.

 

[longbedder]

Nice unit!

You'll be fine with a regular ol' circuit breaker (not GFCI or AFCI) - standard residential breakers allow short-term surges above rated capacity just like a slow-blow fuse. If your house is old and actually has fuses instead of breakers, just do as the manual says and buy slow-blow units - their packages will be marked as such.

For home use, I personally wouldn't worry about an inline disconnect. For industrial use that would make more sense.

 

[Kjunky5]

Nice unit!

You'll be fine with a regular ol' circuit breaker (not GFCI or AFCI) - standard residential breakers allow short-term surges above rated capacity just like a slow-blow fuse. If your house is old and actually has fuses instead of breakers, just do as the manual says and buy slow-blow units - their packages will be marked as such.

For home use, I personally wouldn't worry about an inline disconnect. For industrial use that would make more sense.

Yeah that's what I figured. Plasmas are new to me and I sure don't want to void a warranty considering how much these things cost. I have 4 open slots in my sub panel in the garage so I'm good to go. Gonna stop by lowes on the way home for the nickel-and-dime-me-to-death stuff.

 

[folkenheath]

You can also get the thick, flexable, exterior wire, and the correct ends to make yourself a nice 10 guage extension cord for that thing. Will make it a lot more useful if you can't fit something in the garage or whatnot.

I use my plasma a lot more than I thought I would. Make sure you get the gouge tips, they are real handy. A gouge tip for 20 seconds, and an air hammer for 2 seconds and you can have factory rivets out of the frame effortlessly. Gouge tips work well for removing factory brackets frome axles and stuff as well. You can gouge out the weld without hurting the bracket or the basematerial. If you just plasma cut it off you will miss part of the bracket.

And with a striaght edge to guide it, you will be surprised how nice you can cut with it.

Enjoy.

 

[Kjunky5]

Y Make sure you get the gouge tips,

It came with the gouge tips and extra tips. I got the stuff to install a new outlet last night so today after work I plan on installing everything. I would like to have a cover for the outlet when not in use but I couldn't find anything that would work. I'll keep looking though. I can't wait to fire that thing up. Bye bye shock tabs, spring perches, rusty panels, and anything else that gets in my way.

 

[Kjunky5]

Well, it works. Installed new outlet and played around a little bit. I cut off a shock tab in 5 seconds that would have taken me a half hour with a cut-off wheel. Not to bad for my first time using one. Was there life before a plasma cutter?

Poser shot.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Did you buy this unit new? At some point I plan on buying one and that is the unit i'll be buying. If i'm not mistaken that unit replaced the Hypertherm 600.

 

[Kjunky5]

Did you buy this unit new? At some point I plan on buying one and that is the unit i'll be buying. If i'm not mistaken that unit replaced the Hypertherm 600.

Yeah I bought it new for the warranty. 3 years from date of purchase. I could have gotten it a little bit cheaper online but I went local. I didn't know it replaced another unit. Plasmas are all new to me. Now I have my eye on a Lincoln 216 or Miller 212/252 they had on display at the store. My Lincoln Pro 135 just ain't gonna bring the heat I need. Got to save up again though. A little bit at a time....