Trying out plasma water tub

[navy80to04]

Hi Everyone,

Plasma, Dry cuting,
I am changing out my table top with a tub to plasma cut the steel AT or under water. I have read that some run the water right up to the bottom of the steel you are cutting or just to the top of the steel. Does it matter how deep the steel is in the water, I know to a point, but if it is just under the water 1/8 inch or less. and Do you need to start all over on the settings, now that the steel or tip is in water.. I have seen some run under water 1/2 inch. The old shop I worked at long time ago. Running a very large plasma table. The tub I had made is made out of Alum and is 5 foot by 9 foot by 3 inch tall. I will put a 1 inch slats of 10 ga steel in an back and forth S pat. I have a tank to run air in to push the water up into the tray to the bottom or top of the steel. I hope this takes the warping out of the large pic's I cut, I have great cuts now. will it make the edge better looking too?

Thanks
Pics to come soon.

[jimcolt]

Plasma cutting underwater is different depending on the make and model torch you plan to use. Some are designed to operate submerged, many are not. Generally....cutting underwater will produce a rougher cut edge, more dross, but less smoke and noise.

If you let us know what kind of machine, what height control and what plasma....we could help answer the question!


Jim Colt

Hi Everyone,

Plasma, Dry cuting,
I am changing out my table top with a tub to plasma cut the steel AT or under water. I have read that some run the water right up to the bottom of the steel you are cutting or just to the top of the steel. Does it matter how deep the steel is in the water, I know to a point, but if it is just under the water 1/8 inch or less. and Do you need to start all over on the settings, now that the steel or tip is in water.. I have seen some run under water 1/2 inch. The old shop I worked at long time ago. Running a very large plasma table. The tub I had made is made out of Alum and is 5 foot by 9 foot by 3 inch tall. I will put a 1 inch slats of 10 ga steel in an back and forth S pat. I have a tank to run air in to push the water up into the tray to the bottom or top of the steel. I hope this takes the warping out of the large pic's I cut, I have great cuts now. will it make the edge better looking too?

Thanks
Pics to come soon.

[Shane Blacklord]

Do not use galvinised metal It gives off poison gases when heated to welding/cutting tempratures. This is why welders must ware masks with special
filters and weld outside. Most people I know use a kind sawtooth and s shaped support and regard them as consumables, Others with More more experience than I can chime in at any time but the is what I was taught as an apprentice and I was a master machinist for years before cnc came out. I am schooling myself in cnc and I am in the process of building a cnc Machine of my own design. I like many must pay for it as money comes available. (arent we all?).
I would suggest you stay away from galvinised anything.

[navy80to04]

Sorry Shane, I was talking about 10 Gauge seel not galvinised metal on the 10 and 14 Ga.
but welding metals in the Navy for 24 years, I have run into galvinised metal and yes it will make you sick. Drink milk will help with the sick feeling but not take the poison out of you. and Yes ware a mask. I have a paper filter mask on when out working close to the plasma cutter or welding. you will get black stuff out of your nose if you don't. Your risk is exposure to the manganese contained in fumes that are given off during welding cutting somes steels. Inhaling manganese can cause very serious damage to your brain and nervous system. Working with stainless steel may produce welding fumes containing nickel and chromium. If you have asthma, exposure to nickel can make your illness worse. Chromium can aggravate or cause sinus problems. Both nickel and chromium may cause cancer, according to NIOSH

but getting back to what I want to do, I will just keep the seel just above the water like everyone else is doing and then I don't have to relearn the cut settings too. Smoke and metal dust is what I am trying to get rid of.

[/QUOTE=Shane Blacklord;1053916]Do not use galvinised metal It gives off poison gases when heated to welding/cutting tempratures. This is why welders must ware masks with special
filters and weld outside. Most people I know use a kind sawtooth and s shaped support and regard them as consumables, Others with More more experience than I can chime in at any time but the is what I was taught as an apprentice and I was a master machinist for years before cnc came out. I am schooling myself in cnc and I am in the process of building a cnc Machine of my own design. I like many must pay for it as money comes available. (arent we all?).
I would suggest you stay away from galvinised anything.[/QUOTE]