[TheForge] cutting 1/4 copper

[Steve Smith]

You need to bribe someone who either has a 1/2" plasma cutter (cuts half 
as much on copper) or a big shear.

Plasma cutters are way more complex than a welder. They also have higher 
open circuit voltages. Making one gets discussed regularly on 
rec.crafts.metalworking if you want to dig up more detail. The consensus 
is always that it is thoroughly impractical and difficult.

Steve

Kevin D wrote:

> Dave,
> 
> Actually a friend has a plasma cutter that he brought over.  I suppose it
> was one capable of 20 ga. steel.  It was cute to watch that little arc just
> sit there and hum...don't know what size plasma it would take.
> 
> On a similar vein, I was browsing a used machinery website and noticed a
> plasma cutter that was billed as able to be a stick welder as well.  Does
> anyone have any idea of a conversion for my old Hobart Truarc 250 to plasma
> cut?  Not being familiar with plasma, I'd assume that copper would take more
> juice than steel?  I'm not particularly inclined to invest in a plasma
> cutter, but wouldn't mind rigging my compressor and buzz box to effect the
> deal.
> 
> Kevin
> 
>  -----Original Message-----
>  From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
>  [mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of magichammer
>  Sent: Tuesday, April 12, 2005 11:29 AM
>  To: Sponsored by ABANA
>  Subject: Re: [TheForge] cutting 1/4 copper
> 
> 
>  plasma cutter
> 
>  dave m
> 
>  Kevin D wrote:
> 
>  >How about a redsmithing question to break the lull?
>  >
>  >Last year a local scrap yard had some copper for sale, so I
>  bought a couple
>  >hundred pounds at $1/lb.  So a buddy of mine would like a chunk out of a
>  >~4'x5'x 1/4" plate that I'd bought.  We spent an hour and a half chiseling
>  >down both sides until it was scored and work hardened enough to
>  lay it on a
>  >4x4 and jump on it to break it along the chisel line.
>  >
>  >We'd tried setting up a fence and cutting it with a sawzall, but
>  it wouldn't
>  >cut straight.  The blade flexed too easily, perhaps too much pressure?
>  >Anyway, anyone got any better ideas on how to cut out pieces?
>  >
>  >Kevin Donahoe
>  >Flying Pig Forge
>  >Morrow, OH 45152
>  >flyinpig at go-concepts.com
>  >
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