Water Table - Steel in or out

[tentonjj]

should the steel sit just on top of the table or a bit submerged? I ve seen some either way . whats your opinion on the best way?

[FiveORacing]

I seem to get best results with the water 1/2 inch or so below the work.

[tentonjj]

I seem to get best results with the water 1/2 inch or so below the work.

does the water come up eanough to cover it?

[plain ol Bill]

I like to run with the water just touching the back of the plate myself. If you are cutting close to an edge a little smoke (plasma dust) will get away but all in all water tables do a darn good job of keeping the air clean.

[FiveORacing]

I seem to get best results with the water 1/2 inch or so below the work.

does the water come up eanough to cover it?

No, a little splash and puddle now and then but the top stays mostly dry. I didn't get as good result with the part IN water, it seems the water was cooling the metal too fast and the edge was dirty. Probably should have slowed down the IPM a little. You know I'm still learning and experimenting. I'm trying my first 20 gauge cuts tomorrow.

[plasmajoe]

Hey Tentonjj,

I have cut with water tables for many years and tried all kinds of ways to use them to my advantage. I do not really like having the material under the water for you can't see the metal if your water is dirty, having the water to low from your work piece, well the smoke and dust is just bad for you, the best I have found over the years is exactly the way plain ol Bill stated, just to say it is below your work peice, that way you have all the features a water table will give you, and most importantly cleaner air for you to breathe,

Hope this helps you out.

Plasma Joe