I have a few questions first though. I have a cheaper Riland 40 amp (high freq) inverter plasma cutter sitting here that I hardly EVER use and thought I might put it to good use. I work at a machine shop (EDM Operator) and the table and CNC operations are easy for me.

My question is the plasma cutter i have capable of cutting 3/8'' or 1/2'' thick flanges from mild steel without alot of taper in the cut? Will it turn out to be a clean cut? I don't care about cutting at high speeds...just needs to be decent looking cuts.

40 Amp cutter will not cut 1/2" with anything that even slightly resembles a clean cut. 3/8 will have flare. You need an 80 to 100A unit to cut 1/2" and it will still exhibit some flare. Slowing it down will not help past a certain point.

Tom Caudle
www.CandCNC.com

Ok, thanx alot. I love direct and to the point answers!