Plasma Cutters

Got to cut out a big subframe under the floor of the Mercedes bus that we are converting, and angle grinders won't get into most of the areas we have to cut through, so a plasma cutter is on the cards.



There are three layers of steelwork, at least two have to come out, probably all three as one is just underfloor stiffening for the Unwin wheelchair tracks above the floor.

This is an identical body/floor:



So, any thoughts or recommendations?

Looking on fleabay, the £180 - £250 machines seem to be OK.

Peter

We have a Plasma cutter. its one of these:-

http://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/plasma-cutter-r-tech-p30c/

( actually, its the 40A one, which IIRC they no longer make)

Good review here:-



However, I don't think it would do what you describe - electrical contact needs to exist between the torch and the metal being cut - and if you have three layers to cut, all at once (?) - I don't see this working. I hope I have misunderstood what you are trying to do?

But then tramadol fries my brain.

The 'layers' are the different levels of subframe shown in the pictures, the bottom picture shows one that was cut out with a plasma cutter.

You would be cutting through or along one beam at a time.

Peter

listerdiesel said:

The 'layers' are the different levels of subframe shown in the pictures, the bottom picture shows one that was cut out with a plasma cutter.

You would be cutting through or along one beam at a time.

Peter

Click to expand...

Ah! sorry!! <- me, now that I understand

well, that would work then!

Just thinking about why we went R-Tech - it was for the warranty, the reputation, and the pilot arc torch - good for cutting painted / rusty "metal"

How about a reciprocating saw?

Got one

The saw is OK but it's a big lump if you are working in a chassis, even when it's as big as the Mercedes.

I bought the R-Tech one, £438.00 but took 6 months interest-free credit off them to ease the pain a bit.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171471264888

One thing I have learnt over the years is to never buy something that just about does the job, always buy a machine with something in hand.

Peter

listerdiesel said:

I bought the R-Tech one, £438.00 but took 6 months interest-free credit off them to ease the pain a bit.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171471264888

One thing I have learnt over the years is to never buy something that just about does the job, always buy a machine with something in hand.

Peter

Click to expand...

Fantastic! I can't imagine you will be disappointed. worth every penny.

You shouldn't have mentioned the interest free credit though... I am sure I can find something else I need

I could have bought it outright, but at 0% it was worth spreading the cost.

Peter

Not the cheapest of gadgets but gets through material pretty quickly and runs off a 13A plug (we have a 16A socket on the front of the house)



Philip had a go with it freehand on some 5mm wall box section, and was quite impressed:





Peter

Great for cutting thinner stuff too - like 2mm corten steel.....