Plasma Cutter

Good evening all,

Does anybody have experience of a plasma cutter?

OH would like to cut a sheet of mild steel into a landscape silhouette as a piece of wall art.

Now these things look like the nearest I'm ever going to get to playing with a light-saber and before I hire one for the day I'd like to know if we're being totally insane. Are these things very dangerous? Are they difficult to use? Will a bit of practicing on some 1mm mild steel offcuts be sufficient to cut out reasonably intricate shapes (trees/pigs/human) with just one day's hire. I'm the sort of person who tends to do a lot of reading first, then just goes out and practices a new skill to a reference for a good 'text book' would also be useful.

Thanks in advance,

SS

Good evening all,

Does anybody have experience of a plasma cutter?

OH would like to cut a sheet of mild steel into a landscape silhouette as a piece of wall art.

Now these things look like the nearest I'm ever going to get to playing with a light-saber and before I hire one for the day I'd like to know if we're being totally insane. Are these things very dangerous? Are they difficult to use? Will a bit of practicing on some 1mm mild steel offcuts be sufficient to cut out reasonably intricate shapes (trees/pigs/human) with just one day's hire. I'm the sort of person who tends to do a lot of reading first, then just goes out and practices a new skill to a reference for a good 'text book' would also be useful.

Thanks in advance,

SS

Plasma cutters are easy enough, if the steel is only 1mm thick consider a jigsaw with metal cutting blade, then use a flap sanding disk on an angle grinder to deburr......and get a Tetanus jab

We've got one at work, I think you'll need a 3 phase power supply (415 volts I think).
And a high volume of compressed air, or a bottle of neutral gas if you're going to use one at home.

If it's only 1mm sheet steel, I would suggest a 'nibbler' or jigsaw (with aproppriate blade(s))maybe better if you're just working from home.

I'm not sure if you can hire a plasma cutter though.  :blink:

You can hire them from HSS, 240V supply required and will cut through 10mm clean steel (ie: not rusted or chequer plate!), the cost is £72 for day one, then £24 per day after.......get yourself to B&Q and buy a pack of metal jigsaw blades for £5

@Half a plot man - never thought to use the jigsaw on steel - will give it a go on a bit of scrap - Ta - SS

I have one on a 240v 16amp  supply. at 1mm it will work on a 13amp plug. you will also need a compressor. i am not artistic so i have not tried art work , they are easy to use and i am sure within a hour will be pleased with your results.