Cutting 1" Mild Steel

[Scott V]

Originally Posted by xjdubber hypertherm 1650's will cut trough 1" of metal and do a pretty nice job not on holes though, oxyfuel is the way to go on anything 1" and thicker as its cheaper just as fast and will get you nicer holes

There are many three phase plasma machines that will cut as well or better. It's hard to find any 100 amp single phase machines that can work like the Thermal. Esab has one out but it's not for sale yet. It will have a blow-back torch too.

[xjdubber]

Originally Posted by Scott V There are many three phase plasma machines that will cut as well or better. It's hard to find any 100 amp single phase machines that can work like the Thermal. Esab has one out but it's not for sale yet. It will have a blow-back torch too.

Oh im not trying to say that hypertherms are better then thermal dynamics or esab, im saying that oxy-fuel is better way to cut 1" and thicker. I setup machines with hpr130-260's all the time, as nice of cut those can get out of 1" material (the 260 can do a little thicker) the speed is pretty much even to what oxy-fuel will do. If your good at setting up an oxy-fuel system you can do some really nice work with it. Esab has a system that will cut trough 6" metal, that really seems kinda crazy as the cost to buy that would be completely outrageous as compared to oxy-fuel.

on a side note, oxy-fuel does not really put out that much heat. Many people think that oxy-fuel cuts with heat, but it actually doesnt the 02 actually oxidices (excuse my sp) the metal. Its super quick rusting of metal! I think plasma specially when you start getting into 100A and higher put out more heat.

[Dale Heart]

Originally Posted by Scratch I have a TD 151 also, and it cut this on the first try. I'm happy enough with it that I would do it again... I'm not real happy with the back side of the holes though... 100 amps 10 ipm

It's hard to tell exactly how good that cut is from that angle (especially the holes). Also, running at that speed is like watching grass grow and a lot slower than oxy-fuel.

Nice cuts though.