So, I have this simple, oilless tank pushing about 100 psi which can be sort of controlled. I can get it to 75 psi or around that measurement at times…
I was on a website earlier and it hit me…
What I read in these forums had me second guessing the finality of my building procedures. Granted, I am not a full-timer or a person of severe experience in plasma related business or industry but!
Can someone please point me in the direction of a good, fairly inexpensive air supply unit with complete control so I can fine tune things when I get down to it?
Others may disagree, but I’m a fan of having as few regulators as possible.
There’s the possibility of an in-line regulator failing, causing significantly reduced output causing you to waste time and material trying to diagnose the cause. I’ve personally seen this when I helped a few others diagnose a no-firing issue.
What I would focus on is a means of supplying dry air, and that unit you linked looks like it won’t do much at all.
Regarding your air compressor (compressor right, not tank?), what are you running?
A good supply paired with a tank capable of pushing some good CFM’s is just as important as dry air.
Nothing. I have some aftermarket craftsman compressor. The compressor is oilless and can supply 75 psi easily…
I usually use it for tire stuff but I was looking to dwindle it in the mix of doing my first cut. I started this idea or these ideas of building a machine and cutting up some metal for it and then getting a brake and bending…
I am slow moving right now. I am learning about things instead of application of such said things.
Seth
P.S. I will get the model off of it soon. I can reply with the correct compressor model if it can help.
And about CFM, no clue. I do not have a tester now…
Seth
P.S. CFM needs to be displaced properly from what I gather. I will research more of this idea with me getting the manual or model and reading it. Okay…I got the manual. I think I cannot perform the task at hand. I will need a superior model to this one I have currently. It has a duty cycle.
So, it runs and then shuts off and then runs and so on. Air Delivery is 0.7 "S"CFM @90 psi.
I just think it’ll help others to suggest items based on what you currently have.
I ran a setup for over a year and a half that was far less than ideal, but it worked well as I managed 400 pierces per consumable set, and never failed a single 25+min continuous cut.
It was an old 90’s 110V Craftsman air compressor with tiny 20 gallon tank
The issue with any 110V air compressor is that you won’t find anything that’ll push out any serious CFM’s. This is important because most plasma cutters require at least 6cfm at roughly 90psi (or higher) in order to maintain good arc. Pair that with any inhibitors you would be adding (filtering) and you’ll see reduced output over that run.
Let’s add to the fact that a 110V will be a lot less efficient than any 220V variant, so it will run longer and more often (hot air) which will introduce moisture the one thing we want to get rid of.
TLDR Get a good 220V air compressor, and decent air supply, and add the best filtering you can get.
The tank size will be the most beneficial if the compressor is large enough to supply the required airflow. I have an industrial Ingersol Rand SSR screw machine with a 400-gallon tank that flows into an additional 400 gal tank salvaged from an old unit that was taken out of service that provides air to the entire marina. I don’t expect you to have this much capacity, but you should get the idea. The larger the tank buffer, the better off you will be.
Okay…I am starting to find some 110v/electric compressors with 4.5CFM @ 90 PSI and a bit less @ 100 PSI.
Small time over here! I do not need that long of a flow for my small “shop.”
Seth
P.S. I was looking at Craftsman because they still produce their parts and compressors in the USA. I am a sucker for USA mfg. parts and tools still (probably until I die).
So, I will be getting the craftsman or a kobalt (not USA made but cheaper). I will update everyone on my first cut soon. I have the machine, I might as well cut-cut-cut!
If you’re going with a 110v compressor just go ahead and shorten that to “cut”.
While yes, it is possible to run with. 110v you will need to monitor your air aggressively as well as deal with more moisture. Just one more thing to worry about.
How @kwikfab managed a 25 minut cut with a 20 gallon tank blows my mind. I hand cut for quite a while before getting the table and you can tell them you’re aren’t getting enough air. When I got my table I said hell no I’m not waiting around for adequate pressure and bought the big one. If you try to do things as cheap as possible you just end up troubleshooting.
Ideal? Absolutely not. But it’s through my personal experience that I make such recommendations to buy a 220V air compressor, and opt for a large supply and more.
Ideal? Nope, cause we’re still on 110V and a small tank.
Does it work? You’ve seen my work, it speaks for itself.
But in all my time cutting many, and I mean many parts on thick steel (included in those 20-25 min continuous runs), I have never had a failed cut due to air loss surprisingly enough.
Here’s a short 13 minute video as I don’t record runs in general. You know it’s a little older cause it’s with the PrimeWeld -
But even my Hypertherm now has done 15-20 minute runs without issue on the DeWalt air compressor.
P.S. I have one 230v output in this ole place. I am not going to get another (I think). Anyway, thank you for making me understand. And…my plasma cutter may not be of good grade either.
I spent my “allowance” on the machine itself and the cutter. I should have got better tools like many people are saying here. I need to test the cutter too. I am not even sure the cutter is “registered” for CNC. I might need to make an attachment for the way the cutter is shaped. It is not straight near the consumables. It has an arc.
Anyway, I will keep on keeping people posted with my success and failures. I will think about getting the cream instead of the low-grade muck.
