hey everyone. I’m just reading through this and I guess I’m wondering what the best bang for my buck is for getting dry clean air to my plasma cutter. I see the picture posted above and instantly know that setup is out of my price range (just bought a plasma table, and compressor). I am in an arid climate and on a budget so what gets me the cleanest driest air with a few hundred-ish dollar budget.
I too am one of those who has a plasma cutter who knew nothing about the effects of water in the system and have only been using a basic water separator. After reading many forums, I can look back and understand better why my consumables were short lived and my cuts were rough. I am in need of help. I have read about all the gizmos but I just don’t know where my limited budget should be spent.
From my research adding an AFTER COOLER is the least expensive way to dramatically reduce water at the lowest cost. If you search Youtube for videos you will see lots. Make sure you add a water separator/collector of some sort right after the AFTER COOLER and before your tank. I am working on my air system now and bought the https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004XONT3E/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 cooler and Amazon.com fan to build a system around.
good info thanks. I didn’t realize people were cooling the air between the pump and the tank. good info. looks like people are reporting around the interwebs that the after cooler, water separator and the pipes on the wall will keep water separators dry after that. I think I will do those things and the motorguard filter before the plasma. thanks
I’m helping my 13yr old build a plasma table and have a question about the air flow. No joke, 13yrs old! He sold all his video games a few years ago, he is proficient in fusion 360, has a welder, 3d printer, and CNC router. Now he wants a plasma table and I’d rather spend my money helping him gain knowledge and skills than on useless stuff like video games, so, a few thousand $$ in on this.
I don’t know what size pipe will be between the pump, aftercooler, water separator, and tank, but I’m pretty sure it’ll be smaller than 3/4” which I was planning on taking from the tank to the drops in the shop (main concern being the plasma cutter). So if the pipe size from pump to aftercooler to separator to tank is smaller than 3/4”, is is safe to run 1/2” for the drops or should I stick with 3/4" on the long pipe runs?
You don’t want to drop the outlet size from compressor head thru after cooler to tank. Keep that 3/4". From tank to plasma cutter I would run 1/2 copper until your close to table. Then you can drop to 3/8 rubber line to plasma cutter. Add all your air filtration and drying somewhere close to table. Here is my aftercooler setup with water separator before it goes into tank.
