Questions About Plasma cutter?

[Janetlee]

Several questions here. My Daddy was a welder as a kid I watch him use Plasma cutter. I always wore safety colored glasses. Daddy passed away yrs ago and I got his plasma cutter and welding stuff. . So I was hoping some welders could help answer these questions.
What shade of glass do I need to wear for safety. I have a shade 8 but its too dark and I'm afraid the Didy glasses won't work being to light.
Also I've tried using markslot Sharpie for drawing designs , but the heat makes it disppear. Would soapstone work??
Can I use it on 18 ga. Copper? Or will it melt it ?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Janet C

[RSimmons]

Plasma cutting 18 gauge copper is, in my humble opinion, overkill. A decent jeweler's saw would serve you better and be much safer to use. Save the plasma cutter for stainless steel and such.

Robert

[Janetlee]

Thank you Robert for your help. I figured it would be. I'm fixing to give the cutter to my Son in law. He makes large crosses and western decorations. And I just wondered about the cutter. And the safety glasses.
Thank you again for your help.
Janet

[Mr. Meker]

But plasma cutting is so fun!!!!

You need a shade 8 lens for plasma cutting, but you can illuminate your workpiece. You can also start the plasma cutter above the workpiece to illuminate it then lower it to cut.

Be safe, have fun!

[Janetlee]

Thank you Meker for the help. I appreciate your response. I have so many ideas for SNL to cut out. I draw the designs and he cuts.
Thanks again.
Janet C.

[metalbone]

you can get an adjustable auto darkening helmit that allows you to position and plan your cut, but then darkens to the set shade as soon as the arc starts.

[tivydave]

i THINK i used chalk or soapstone when i used the plasma. just used whatever the welder had for shades in the shop. he didn't use anything. he built a plasma bed--over crushed lava rock he built a raised grate table. make certain you wear hard leather shoes. terry

[giapet]

I had my neighbor try cut a nice edge on a sheet of either 14 or 18 ga copper just yesterday. Of course it went thru it fine but the edge was pretty sad looking. Taking it to another guy who has a shear....just want some nice strips out of it.

[Janetlee]

Thank you everyone for your help. I have lots of soapstone. And I have Dads shade 8 and his helmet too. I remembered the boots. Dad always wore steel toe. . He was very safety minded. He always drill safety first into me. And I do that still. Watch what you do .
I still pass that onto my family.
Thank you again for taking the time to answer. You all have helped very much.
Janet C.

[ElementalsDesign]

It depends a lot on the size and output of the plasma cutter you've got. Unless it's a very large one you can use a #5 shade lens.
Soapstone is by far the best thing to use to mark (you can still see it while you're cutting).. and, of course, all the other safety measures already mentioned here (Oh, and don't wear ANY clothing that melts).. no fleece, etc.!

~Rachel

[Kevan]

Rachel knows of what she speaks, she's a welder by trade.

[Janetlee]

Thank you Rachel for your help. I appreciate it very much.
Janet C

[ElementalsDesign]

Janet.. always a pleasure.. I'm happy to answer any questions you have re: the world of welding; *that* I know (I was the welding instructor for the Boilermaker's Local for the last three years before they ran out of money).. and it's nice to be able to contribute something here where I have begun learning so much about hot glass! (and thanks, Kevan, for the props :}

~Rachel