New garage tool (plasma cutter)

[Joe Dillard]

With the projects friends and I sometimes do while working in my garage, I often find myself wishing I had a cutting torch, or a plasma cutter for various jobs. I had borrowed friends' plasma cutters before & they have always made quick work of projects. I have used them before as well at friends' houses/shops so I knew how handy they were to have around, but I still don't know much about them.

Anyway, after doing a few months of interweb research & shopping around on various websites, cyberweld, craigslist, ebay, talking with friends who use them to make a living etc, I found a nice machine locally at a reasonable price that should be able to do pretty much any job I come across. It's a Miller Spectrum 625.

Later today, I'll be using it for the first time as I'm in the process of designing & building a new truss for my YJ. I made a cardboard template and have traced that shape out on some flat plate steel. More to follow on that - later.....

If anybody has some tips to share, this newbie would be more than happy to hear about them.

[Kiwi]

Originally Posted by Joe Dillard

If anybody has some tips to share, this newbie would be more than happy to hear about them.

Measure twice, cut once

[NAILER341]

will that cutter let you touch the tip to the steel? if not, you are going to find it a real pain in the ass to use.
i hope it is one you enjoy working with.

[Joe Dillard]

Yep, no problem in that area whatsoever.

[NAILER341]

Originally Posted by Joe Dillard

Yep, no problem in that area whatsoever.

good, i'm glad to hear that.

i know the one i bought from blaine does also allow you to touch the tip to the steel without grounding out. the one he bought to replace that one didnt, and was a lot less fun to use.

[zman]

Looks just like my Hobart Plasma cutter. I would order extra cups and stuff right away. Nothing like being in a middle of a job and need parts. They can be tough to find unless you have a good welding supplier near by. I know this little hardware store in N AZ that carries the parts.

[Macgyver]

Joe,

I've been using that same unit here in the shop for 4 plus years without an issue. Only things we've done is change the tips however millions of times. I also have a spektrum 375 that has been great too. You will love that machine, we've done up to 1/2 with a pretty decent cut!

With the drag shield tip you have, as long as you have a steady hand, you can drag right on the material. We use a lot of templates here that are 1/8" thick to ride against. A few templates, strait, holes, curves, and you can make all kinds of neat stuff.