I let the water evaporate and have been dry cutting.

[Deezl Smoke]

So I decided to not replenish the water in the table and let it evaporate. I've notice much lower dross build up on the table slats. I almost think the build up is dropping off the more I cut dry, but can't confirm that, just a feel.
Most of my cutting is heavier than 3/8", lots of 1/2", 5/8" and 3/4". I think the higher amperage blowing so much molten slag into the water, the water doesn't have time to quench it completely before it adheres to the slats. So for now, I'm going to continue cutting dry unless a large order for light sheet metal comes up.
Just an observation. Anyone else noticed anything similar?

[ROKCRLER]

Funny thing, i did the same the last couple weeks.
I just finished some 16ga & 10ga gavl and the cuts were exceptionally clean, not sure if it was different supplier, thinner coating or what, but this time there was less edge cleanup.

Cuts on 10g & 1/4" hot and cold rolled both had almost zero dross, not sure if it was all the tuning on the table or the lack of water in the pan.. but I did miss the cooling from the water as now i have 2 blisters from picking up the parts after cutting

[Joe Jones]

Yeah ... I also struggled with the dross and all, but then I remembered the words of Dirty Harry...

"A man's got to know his limitations!"

So I bought a laser table. I am wondering if I will ever use the 5x10 Samson plasma table again.

Joe

[acourtjester]

Are you cutting with low water of no water, I like having the water capturing the dust made by the plasma cutting.

[SegoMan DeSigns]

Same here on plasma dust / smoke collection, 4 mo out of the year is bellow freezing and opening an overhead door is not an option.

[plasmanewbie]

I have used both and noticed the same. Water has some benefits but overall I prefer the downdraft setup I use now. No smoke, no ohmic issues with water, less dross with no water, no water maintenance, it's just better for me. The downside is pulling all the hot air from my shop with the downdraft ,so if your cutting a lot and not occasionally, and you live in colder climate, water table may still be the way to go.

[Deezl Smoke]

Are you cutting with low water of no water, I like having the water capturing the dust made by the plasma cutting.

Now there's virtually no touching the water with the arc. The table, for all purposes is dry. I'm in a less than ideal situation with the building I use. It's an old farm barn with no ceiling. It has a roof, but open trusses, so ventilation is not an issue. Keeping things clean is.
I will fill it again if a large enough order comes in for sheet metal less than about 11ga, or anything that would require the table be filled, otherwise, so far, so good just running dry.

[adbuch]

My table uses both water tray and draft system. My water level is quite a bit below the cutting grates. This setup eliminates most of the smoke/dust normally associated with cnc plasma cutting. My table is inside my machine shop which is a climate controlled building (ac/heat).

I have never cut with the water level at the material surface, as many seem to do. Jim Colt recommended against this many years ago. So I have no personal experience with the increased dross level associated with the water. I do get pretty clean cuts at Hypertherm book specs, with very minimal dross.

David

[Dirtmotor]

I tried cutting dry , Did not like it at all . I have water about a1/4 inch down on grates and follow book settings .
Really don't notice any more or less dross .