| Plasma cutters come in a variety of shapes and | | | | you need to run your machine. |
| sizes so it can be confusing as to what one to | | | | Another thing you will want to purchase for your |
| buy. Generally speaking, the first thing to take into | | | | plasma cutter is dry air because it keeps moisture |
| consideration is what you want it to do most of | | | | out of the line by traveling with it and helping it |
| the time. This will determine the type and the size | | | | get out of the end of your torch. This can help |
| of your need. | | | | you maintain your consumables longer. |
| For some people, a plasma cutter may seem | | | | To figure out how large a machine you need, you |
| slow, depending on the material you will cut. You | | | | will want to determine the speed you want the |
| need to know that they will cut precisely and | | | | machine to cut your metal. You will also want to |
| some thicknesses of metals may take longer | | | | decide the type of metal and its thickness |
| than others to cut in this way. | | | | because these will determine the overall speed of |
| Some plasma cutters will need a compressor for | | | | your plasma cutter's performance. |
| some things so you will need to know whether | | | | You will also want to know the power that you |
| you need this before you purchase one. You will | | | | will need to run your particular machine; this also |
| also want to choose one that can cut thicknesses | | | | varies depending on what you are doing. |
| greater than what you expect to do most of the | | | | Depending on the plasma cutter, you can get |
| time, so you have some flexibility. | | | | small voltages or ones that are specifically created |
| You might also find it helpful to know that any | | | | for a wide range of voltages and some can be |
| metal that is a conductor of electricity can be cut | | | | used in the field. If you need a plasma cutter that |
| by a plasma cutter. These are metals like copper, | | | | is portable, then the weight and the size of the |
| aluminum, stainless and other types of steel. | | | | machine will be important. |
| You will need some type of gas for cutting and | | | | Finally, be sure to wear proper safety equipment |
| most people use compressed air. This type of air | | | | and clothing when you are using the plasma |
| comes as an air compressor or you can by it by | | | | cutter. As an example, you will want to use a full |
| the bottle. You will want to know the Cubic Foot | | | | face shield to protect you from the beam of light; |
| per Minute (CFM) that the compressor will do | | | | usually a number 5 or 6 shade protection will |
| because this is what keeps your plasma machine | | | | work. Make sure you the area where you are |
| consistently running. You will also want to check | | | | working is ventilated and take precautions for |
| the plasma cutting machine's Pounds Per Square | | | | noise, temperatures, high voltages and fumes. |
| Inch (PSI) because it tells you how much pressure | | | | |