Tips for cutting 0.25" 16 gauge SS perf plate

[jbc28]

I have a job coming up that will require cutting some 16 gauge 304 stainless perforated plate (.25 perf). The customer is supplying the material so I really don't want to screw anything up. I have never cut expanding metal or perf plate before, but I would think that THC should be off and adjust the switch on the front of my powermax 85 to the expanded metal setting.....anything else? Thanks.

[SeanP]

How big is the part?
I cut some 1mm perf sheet with small 3mm holes the other week, I did the same thc off and used expanded metal setting, they were parts 3' long I just got away with it, torch got close a few times but it did a great job, pity you cant manually adjust the z for those jobs.

[jbc28]

The parts are 83" by 40". Also a few smaller pieces that are 28" in diameter

[jbc28]

FWIW, I cut the perf plate today using 45 amp book specs with THC. Fine cut book specs would not work at all. I called Hypertherm, and James suggested 45 amp shielded. Both attempts with fine cut failed to keep an arc even with the expanded metal setting selected. I had too much elevation change across 80" to not use THC. Surprisingly, it worked with THC.