Me and My TD-39 Plasma Cutter

[mike6845]

At last, I finally had time to seriously play during stupid bowl with my new Thermal Dynamics TD-39 plasma cutter.

I recently bought an Atlas horizontal mill for $200 (yea, I know I stole it) and needed a table for it since it is a bench top model. It goes with my $280 Atlas 618 lathe.

After picking up a fresh supply of mild steel tubing at my favorite scrounge yard, I rough cut the table stock using the plasma cutter and cleaned up the cuts with a floppy disc grinder. Man, that was fast and easy and a real pleasure to use. Hopefully we'll get some photos up when the table is done.

Now I can see why so many people here choose TD products. I will look real hard at their TD189 TIG welder when it is time.

Now I can finally start planning for a hydraulic dump trailer and front end loader for my yard tractors.

[tigster]

mike6845, glad to see you are enjoying your new TD plasma. after using it for a while now, how is it running? are the consumables lasting? thanks,
tigster.

[Zrexxer]

I got to talk to the TD rep and run a Cutmaster 52 at the 3D Welding Booth at the San Antonio Rodeo last weekend. Definitely a nice machine. The torch took a little getting used to just since I wasn't accustomed to it, but it ran nice. Of course, the TD rep could make cuts with it that looked like they were made with a bandsaw... :p

[tigster]

thanks, zrexxer. helpful info. i'm thinking on getting a cutmaster 52 this year, and your post definitely helped with the decision making process.:)

[mike6845]

mike6845, glad to see you are enjoying your new TD plasma. after using it for a while now, how is it running? are the consumables lasting? thanks,
tigster.

Hey Tig:

Everyday I say the TD39 sure is slick and worth every nickel I paid for it. Still going strong on the original consumables probably because I am paying more attention to the moisture in my air system. Yesterday, I cut up a bunch of 1/4" ms plate for some bench tops and table shelves without a hiccup. The only thing I need to do now is to come up with a cutting guide for sheet stock. I am thinking of making one from 1 1/2" angle with a carrier which rolls on one of the edges to get my straight cuts.

[Hotfoot]

You can rip a straight 2x4 into strips about 1/2" thick x 1 3/4" wide on your table saw. Clap those down at each end. You plasma tracks along pointed "down" at the meat (drag it), not pointed at the wood, so the wood barley scorches because you pass so fast! Flip over to use up the other side. Cheap and easy!:)