How To Use A Plasma Cutter – The Most Detailed Tutorial

If you know how to use a plasma cutter, cutting metal will be a whole lot easier than ever. However, using such a powerful and modern cutting machine requires specific insights to achieve safety and efficiency.

In this article, I will show you how to operate a plasma cutter with specific steps.

Scroll down to know!

What Is A Plasma Cutter And What Are Its Uses?

A plasma cutter is a power tool that uses a stream of electrically charged gas to cut through metal. Plasma cutters are often used in welding and metalworking applications, as they can quickly and easily cut through thick pieces of metal.

Plasma cutters can be used to cut through both ferrous and non-ferrous metals, such as steel, aluminum, and brass. They can also be used to cut through other materials, such as wood and plastic.

Plasma cutters typically have two settings: “High” and “Low.” The High setting is typically used for thicker pieces of metal, while the Low setting is best for thinner materials.

How To Use A Plasma Cutter

Step 1: Select an appropriate workplace

As we are going to cut metal with plasma ray, it is crucial to put your workpiece on a suitable surface that is safe and wide enough.

A balanced table in a large workshop is the best choice.

Make sure that your workplace is well-ventilated and there is no flammable material near the plasma cutter.

Step 2: Set up the plasma cutter

There are many smaller steps in setting up a plasma cutter such as adjust the amperage, cutting speed, digital multimeter, etc.

As I have written about these parameters in the previous post “How to set up a plasma cutter” guide, I will not mention them  here.

You can read it before you proceed to the next step.

Step 3: Prepare safety gear and equipment

You should stick to the following safety regulations:

• Wear a plasma or welding helmet to protect  your head.
• Tie your hair or use a cap/hat to prevent your hair from catching fire.
• Use a welding jacket to protect your body and arms.
• Put on heat-resistant gloves and apron to protect your hands
• Wear work pants or jeans to protect your legs (you can also cover your leg with welding leather)
• Use durable work boots to protect your feet from sparks and dropping pieces of metal.
• Prepare a fire extinguisher in case anything catches fire.
• Wearing two earplugs and a respirator mask are optional.
• Keep your workpiece stable in a frame, or attached to the table.
• Clean the cut part with a wire wheel or a grinder.
• Outline your cut plan with marking devices or metal chalk.
• Hook the ground clamp of the plasma cutter on metal board for stability when you perform plasma cuts.

Step 4: Operating the machine and make cuts

1- Plug in both the plasma cutter and the air pipe. Switch on your air compressor and activate your plasma cutter by removing the safety trigger lock and pulling the trigger on the gun.

2- Try to keep your body at the furthest distance from the sparks. You should also choose a suitable position for a precise observation of your cut and keeping yourself safe from possible falling pieces of metal.

Besides, make sure that you can move the plasma torch easily at the full range so that you will be able to cut to the end of the metal without having to pause the machine and change position.

3- Move the plasma torch along your workpiece slowly and evenly. As you move the plasma arc, it should penetrate through the metal to the bottom. If no sparks drop from the bottom of the substance, perhaps the arc power is insufficient, or you are moving the torch too fast.

In such cases, you should slow down the torch motion until you can always see sparks at the bottom of the metal. Longer cutting time can help the arc beam to cut through the thickness of the substance.

4- Point the plasma torch toward the edge of the metal to cut it off. You should wait for 2 seconds before letting go of the trigger. This is to make sure that you have completed your project thoroughly.

Wait for the metal to cool down before you pick it up from the ground.

Notice: The smaller a piece of metal is, the hotter it is.

 

Plasma Cutter Safety Tips:

– Always wear proper safety gear, including gloves, a welding mask, and ear protection.

– Be aware of your surroundings and make sure there are no flammable materials nearby.

– Never point the plasma cutter at anyone or anything that you don’t want to cut.

– Do not touch the electrode or the tip of the plasma cutter while it is turned on.

– If the plasma cutter starts to smoke, turn it off immediately and unplug it from the power source.

With proper safety precautions, plasma cutters can be an incredibly useful tool for both professionals and hobbyists alike. Whether you’re cutting through metal to create a new piece of art or simply need to make a quick repair, a plasma cutter can get the job done quickly and easily.

Advanced Plasma Cutter Techniques:

– For a cleaner cut, use a Plasma cutting guide.

– To avoid warping the metal, use clamps or a weight to hold down the piece you’re cutting.

– When cutting through thick metal, make multiple passes with the plasma cutter set to a lower power setting. This will prevent the metal from overheating and becoming damaged.

– To create curved or intricate cuts, use a plasma cutter with an adjustable nozzle. This will allow you to direct the stream of plasma more precisely.

– For a polished finish, use a plasma cutter with an abrasive attachment. This will remove any rough edges and give your project a professional look.

The Best Ways To Use A Plasma Cutter For Your Projects:

– For quick and easy cuts, use a plasma cutter with an automatic feed. This will allow you to cut through metal without having to stop and reposition the cutter.

– If you need to make precise cuts, use a plasma cutter with a laser guide. This will help you follow a template or design more easily.

– For longer cuts, use a plasma cutter with an extended reach. This will prevent you from having to stop and reposition the cutter as often.

– When cutting through thick metal, use a plasma cutter with a powerful motor. This will help to prevent the metal from overheating and becoming damaged.

With proper safety precautions and a few helpful tips, you can use a plasma cutter to easily and quickly create custom metal designs. Whether you’re a professional welder or a hobbyist working on a new project, a plasma cutter can help you achieve the perfect results. So, what are you waiting for? Get started on your next project today!

FAQs:

Can a plasma cutter cut your finger off?

Yes, a plasma cutter can cut through flesh and bone if the right settings are used. It is therefore important to take proper safety precautions when using this tool. Always wear gloves and protective clothing when operating a plasma cutter.

Do you need to wear a welding helmet when using a plasma cutter?

Yes, you should always wear a welding helmet when using a plasma cutter. This will protect your eyes from the bright sparks that are produced during the cutting process.

What are the disadvantages of plasma cutting?

One of the main disadvantages of plasma cutting is that it can be difficult to produce precise cuts. It is also important to note that plasma cutting produces a lot of heat, which can be dangerous if proper safety precautions are not taken.

What can go wrong with a plasma cutter?

If the plasma cutter is not used properly, it can overheat and cause damage to the equipment. It is also important to make sure that the plasma cutter is properly grounded so that sparks do not cause damage to nearby surfaces.

Do I need gas for a plasma cutter?

Yes, most plasma cutters require either compressed air or an inert gas in order to function properly. These gases help to ionize the air and create the plasma arc that is used to cut through metal.

What gas do you use for plasma cutting?

The most common gas used for plasma cutting is compressed air. However, other inert gases such as argon or nitrogen can also be used.

Is a plasma cutter better than a torch?

There are a few factors to consider when answering this question. For example, torch cutting is generally more suited for thicker materials, while plasma cutting can be used on thinner materials. Plasma cutting also typically results in a cleaner cut.

Does a plasma cutter use a lot of electricity?

No, a plasma cutter is actually very efficient when it comes to electricity usage. In fact, many models are designed to run off of standard household current.

What all do you need to run a plasma cutter?

In addition to the plasma cutter itself, you will need an air compressor and an air dryer. The air compressor is used to power the cutter, and the air dryer is necessary to remove moisture from the air supply.

Can you plasma cut wood?

Yes, plasma cutting can be used on a variety of materials, including wood. However, it is important to note that the results will vary depending on the type of wood and the thickness of the material.

Can a plasma cutter weld?

No, a plasma cutter cannot be used for welding. However, it can be used to cut through welds.

Conclusion:

Plasma cutters are a great way to make precision cuts in a variety of materials. With the right technique, you can create clean and smooth edges with very little effort.

Now, after reading this article, you must have known how to use a plasma cutter safely and efficiently, right? So please bear the above tutorial in your mind before making any plasma cuts.

If you have any questions, please comment below, and I would like to answer you if possible.

Thanks for reading!

Read more:

• How To Set Up A Plasma Cutter
• Best Plasma Cutter Under $300, $500, $1000 & $2000