- FMA
- The Fabricator
- FABTECH
- Canadian Metalworking
Categories
- Additive Manufacturing
- Aluminum Welding
- Arc Welding
- Assembly and Joining
- Automation and Robotics
- Bending and Forming
- Consumables
- Cutting and Weld Prep
- Electric Vehicles
- En Español
- Finishing
- Hydroforming
- Laser Cutting
- Laser Welding
- Machining
- Manufacturing Software
- Materials Handling
- Metals/Materials
- Oxyfuel Cutting
- Plasma Cutting
- Power Tools
- Punching and Other Holemaking
- Roll Forming
- Safety
- Sawing
- Shearing
- Shop Management
- Testing and Measuring
- Tube and Pipe Fabrication
- Tube and Pipe Production
- Waterjet Cutting
Industry Directory
Webcasts
Podcasts
FAB 40
Advertise
Subscribe
Account Login
Search
From Pens to Plasma Cutters
- By Eric Lundin
- January 9, 2007
- Article
- Shop Management
The Miller staff verified that their insurance premium was up-to-date, crossed their fingers, and allowed me to try manual plasma cutting and GTAW.
I used the new 18-pound plasma cutter, the Spectrum 375 X-Treme™. It uses either 115 or 230 volts. The company wanted to offer the user a choice in amperage at 115 volts, so it designed the unit to work on the more-common 15-amp service rather than 20-amp service. I had never done plasma cutting before. It's not difficult by any means, but you have to pay attention to the direction the sparks are going to know if you're cutting all the way through.
I used the Passport™ for GMAW. GMAW isn't hard, but again you have to pay attention—in this case, you have to be careful when starting the arc. The GMAW unit has a few features that make the arc starts smooth. At one point I goofed it up and had far too much wire sticking out of the gun, and the wire had a big ball of metal at its tip. Instead of stopping and cutting off the excess, I just tried it again and got a nice, smooth start.
The lesson I learned here is that an editor is more comfortable with a pen than a welding torch or plasma cutter.
Related articles
About the Author
Eric Lundin
2135 Point Blvd
Elgin, IL 60123
815-227-8262
Eric Lundin worked on The Tube & Pipe Journal from 2000 to 2022.
Related Companies
subscribe now
The Fabricator is North America's leading magazine for the metal forming and fabricating industry. The magazine delivers the news, technical articles, and case histories that enable fabricators to do their jobs more efficiently. The Fabricator has served the industry since 1970.
start your free subscription- Stay connected from anywhere
Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Fabricator.
Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Welder.
Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Tube and Pipe Journal.
Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Fabricator en Español.
- Podcasting
- Podcast:
- The Fabricator Podcast
- Published:
- 03/26/2024
- Running Time:
- 67:51
This week on The Fabricator Podcast, Jason Becker, host of the Arc Junkies Podcast and owner of Underground...
- Trending Articles
USS Midway’s tuition-free welding program a win-win
San Diego landmark becomes floating classroom for student welders
K&S celebrates 50 years in business
Guiding metal fabrication’s automation transformation
Increasing revenue by applying production concepts to sales and marketing
- Industry Events
Coil Processing Workshop & Tours
- April 2 - 3, 2024
- Corpus Christi, TX
GOLF4MFG South
- April 15, 2024
- Charlotte, NC
16th Annual Safety Conference
- April 30 - May 1, 2024
- Elgin,
Pipe and Tube Conference
- May 21 - 22, 2024
- Omaha, NE
World-Class Roll Forming Workshop
- June 5 - 6, 2024
- Louisville, KY