I always look into buying new equipment so I can do a job myself when it
is time to buy something, or have someone else make something for me.I
bought a MIG welder, but borrowed a plasma cutter from a friend to cut a
bunch of 1/2" plate for a set of stairs I was building. From the
beginning it worked fine. The biggest challenge for me was to cut at a
stead rate along the line I wanted to cut.
All that is needed is electricity and air to run the thing. There are
expendable tip parts, but they are cheap. If you think you may need to
cut thicker material, you may want to move up to a bigger machine.
If this is something that you don't think you will need again. you might
want to check with your local welding supplier to see if they have units
for rent.
Peace,
Pat
Thusly spake eric at megageek.com, On 1/5/2011 10:56 AM:
> OK, I'm looking to buy a "thumb" for my back hoe. While it is expensive
> to buy, I realized that this is an easy piece to make, failing one
> thing... I don't have a good way to cut heavy steel. (1/4" plate or
> better)
>
> I don't know much about plasma cutters, but I'm willing to learn. With
> the cost of this thumb, I could justify getting a good cutter and making
> my own.
>
> What do you need for a cutter besides the torch? Are they hard to learn?
> Any special skills I need?
>
> I'm just gathering information at this time. So I'm looking for any and
> all suggestions on buying one and what I need to do to learn it.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Moose
> "Be as beneficent as the sun or the sea, but if your rights as a rational
> being are trenched on, die on the first inch of your territory." Ralph
> Waldo Emerson
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>
--
Pat Horne, Owner, Horne Systems
(512) 797-7501 Voice 5026 FM 2001
Pat at HorneSystemsTx.com Lockhart, TX 78644-4443
www.hornesystemstx.com
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