Warning: Plasma cutters aren't just for sheet metal, they rock on heavy plate too

I always thought plasma cutters were too weak for thick steel plate. Tried one on a 1-inch beam and it sliced through like butter with way less mess. Who else has found plasma cutters better than expected for structural work?

3 comments

3 Comments

oliviadixon2d ago

Wait, you actually cut through a full inch of steel with a plasma cutter? I always heard those things were only good for thin sheets (you know, like auto body work). Slicing through a beam like butter sounds crazy, especially with less mess than other methods. Did you have to use a special setup or was it a standard machine? I'm kinda shocked because I've seen people struggle with torches on stuff that thick. This totally changes how I think about plasma cutters for heavy duty jobs.

caseyh972d ago

Heard of anyone cutting armor plate with one?

-1

anthony_west231d ago

So when you ask about armor plate, are we talking hardened steel or like AR500 targets? Because that changes everything (like what oliviadixon was getting at with setup). A standard 50-amp cutter might struggle, but a big 80-amp industrial one on the right gas mix could maybe do it. I'd be worried about the heat messing with the temper of the steel though. What kind of thickness and material are you picturing?