Powermax 1250 help cutting 3/16" aluminum help

[metalbarn]

Jim,
I have a Plasma Cam DHC with a Powermax1250 and have recently started cutting aluminum...however I have a request for 3/16" thick material (3003) letters, I have only cut thin guage up to 1/8 with fine-cut consumables.
Any suggestions?

[jimcolt]

Just follow the specs in the Powermax1250 operators manual ,....use the 40 amp shielded mechanized consumables, and the optimum travel speeds. The FineCut parts are designed for cutting 1/8" and thinner.

Jim

Jim,
I have a Plasma Cam DHC with a Powermax1250 and have recently started cutting aluminum...however I have a request for 3/16" thick material (3003) letters, I have only cut thin guage up to 1/8 with fine-cut consumables.
Any suggestions?

[aicomp]

Hi All,
I don't see aluminum listed on my finecut chart. I need to cut some 1/8 aluminum soon.
Mike

[jimcolt]

The FineCut parts were designed for cutting steel and stainless, however they do work well for aluminum up to 1/8". Use all the same specs that the steel cut chart shows.....just vary the speed. There are quite a few grades of aluminum, so sometimes they cutslower than steel, and sometimes faster....experiment up or down until dross is minimized.

You can also follow the book specs for aluminum using the 40 amp shielded parts.....these will kast longer than the FineCuts, but will cut with a wider kerf.

Jim Colt

[aicomp]

Jim,
Thanks for the reply. I don't mind a slightly wider kerf, because I need to clean the metal anyway for tig welding. I have a fuel tank designed as one piece except for dashed lines cut as bend tabs. It is going in a '35 International Panel that I am working on.
Thanks,
Mike