For basic cutting of new 20′ material to build things, cut off saw/ cold cut saw. For custom, intricate, work, you can’t beat a vertical band saw. I saw an Evo saw after the blade guard fell into the blade.
Plasma cutters are most effective on cutting sheet goods. If you plan to do a lot of long cuts, or cut shapes, from full sheets, the Pplasma is for you. For cutting hollow shapes, S and W shape beams, angle iron, flat bar and solid rod, a bandsaw is nearly indispensable.
“To me it’s kind of like the single-forge design conundrum: it has to be efficient, large enough, controllable for HT, get hot enough to weld well, have some flux resistance, have a floor to put small general items on, not have hot spots, not have a floor with a puddle of flux… what one needs is at least 3 forges, optimally.So, I have a portaband, a 20″ vertical wood/metal, a 7×12″ horizontal saw, a plasma cutter, a chopsaw, an oxy-ace torch. Personally, just for cutting profiles, my top choice is the 20” vertical saw. The abrasive chopsaw is also great for billet work, anytime you don’t want to have anneal something to save your band blades.
3 Re: Plasma cutter or bandsaw I have all of the other cutting tools you have and both the portable band saw and a plasma cutter and would say it depends on what you want to do. 13 Re: Plasma cutter or bandsaw Plasma cutter and band saw aren’t exactly what I call a hobby welders tools. 18 Re: Plasma cutter or bandsaw I can get by without a plasma cutter, but I couldn’t get by without my bandsaw.
My saw is only 16″ throat but weighs at least 1200 lb. My saw cost me $600, and I probably overpaid by about $200. If you want any advice at all on purchasing or evaluating a band saw, I’ve become somewhat experienced with them. As someone else mentioned, a band saw can be tiring making very long cuts.
If you do go with a vert saw, get 1/4″ blades for doing radius’. We’ve had ours with just 1/2″ blades for the last year or 2 and used the plasma more for makng axle tabs but now with the 1/4″ blades, the plasma only gets taken out for peices too awkward for the saw or to cut out the centers of rings. As for blades, keep extras around, get both sizes, make sure the saw will be able to use 1/4″ blades before you buy it, most come standard with 1/2″..
bandsaw vs plasma cutter Related Question:
What cuts better than a plasma cutter?
Plasma Cutters might have the precision, but power goes to Oxy Acetylene. It should be noted that each process has different material type limitations, but most experts will still agree Oxy Acetylene can cut a lot more than Plasma.
Can a plasma cutter cut through wood?
Plastics and wood are not electrically conductive and cannot be plasma cut. However, you can use a rotary saw, router, or other tool if you want to cut these materials in the PlasmaCAM machine. The accuracy of the machine is better than that of the plasma cutter.
Can you cut vertically with a plasma cutter?
Plasma will cut just fine on a vertical member (as mentioned).
What is a disadvantage of plasma cutting plasma cutting?
Unfortunately, plasma cutting does have a few drawbacks. Most plasma cutters aren’t useful for thicker or denser metals. The fleeting nature of plasma limits their range to a depth of about one inch.
Can plasma cutter cut cast iron?
One of plasma’s greatest advantages is its ability to cut non-ferrous metals such as aluminum, stainless steel and cast iron, materials that are becoming more common in many applications.
How thick of metal can a 50 amp plasma cutter cut?
This inverter plasma cutter has 50 amps of power on tap, able to cut up to 1/2-inch thick steel plate.
Can a plasma cutter cut concrete?
For a mean power level of 11.2 kW and a nitrogen gas flow rate of 25 Nl/min, the torch is able to cut a concrete plate of 52 mm in thickness with a speed of 20 mm/min and a whole efficiency of about 30%. The viscosity force is the main limiting factor on the cutting velocity in thick plates.
What metals can plasma cutter cut?
Plasma cutting is a process that cuts through electrically conductive materials by means of an accelerated jet of hot plasma. Typical materials cut with a plasma torch include steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass and copper, although other conductive metals may be cut as well.
Will a plasma cutter cut plastic?
The major drawback is that non-conductive materials such as wood or plastic cannot be cut with plasma cutters. Furthermore, plasma cutting is limited on the thickness of the plates to cut, which can go up to 160 mm for dry cutting and 120 mm for cutting under water.
Do plasma cutters need gas?
Gas is needed for a plasma cutter in order for it to work and create the plasma. As mentioned, the most popular gases to use are oxygen, nitrogen or argon. Some plasma cutter systems include multi-gas features so a variety of gases can be used for different applications.
Can a plasma cutter Weld?
With the right torch design, a nitrogen-water injection, less expensive than other gases, can work well when plasma cutting aluminum and stainless material for subsequent welding. The process involves an electrode surrounded by nitrogen, which is heated by an electric arc to form the plasma.
When would you use a plasma cutter?
Plasma cutting is used for all sorts of metal fabrication projects and is typically used in on-site construction or salvage yards. For designers and artists, the most common uses are in both signage and sculpture, as well as being used in decorative panels for interior projects.
Will a plasma cutter cut rusty metal?
Plasma can cut any electrically conductive metal including stainless steel, mild steel, aluminum and more, without pre-heating. Plasma is also great at cutting painted, dirty or even rusted metal. JoAnn Bortles is the national automotive spokesperson for Hypertherm.
Is it expensive to run a plasma cutter?
Plasma operating cost would again be the lowest, and is typically estimated at approximately $15/hour. The cost of laser would be slightly higher, typically estimated at around $20/hour. Waterjet is usually considered to be the most expensive, typically estimated at about $30/hour.
How long does a plasma cutter last?
Typical life time of a set of consumable should last about 1 to 3 hours for about 120 A of mechanized cutting, it’s in function of the job. Cutting at lower current may gets longer consumable life.