Tool Reviews

A plasma cutter produces an electric arc and a stream of molten metal that can travel several feet. The cut itself may look controlled, but sparks can bounce under benches,…

Plasma consumables are wear parts. The electrode, nozzle, swirl ring, shield, and retaining cap eventually need replacement, but poor setup can destroy them in minutes. Excessive wear usually shows up…

Plasma air pressure is not a universal setting. The correct number depends on the cutter, torch, consumable set, material thickness, and whether you are cutting or gouging. Most shop plasma…

Choosing an air compressor for plasma cutting is mainly a matter of matching airflow, pressure, and duty cycle to the cutter—not simply buying the largest tank you can afford. A…

A plasma cutter that lights but produces a weak, sputtering, or short arc usually has a problem in one of five areas: air supply, consumables, electrical input, torch connections, or…

Replacing plasma cutter consumables in the wrong order can cause an uneven arc, oversized cut width, excessive dross, or immediate damage to a new nozzle. The parts are small, but…

Moisture in compressed air causes more than an untidy cut. On a plasma cutter, water can contaminate the torch, shorten consumable life, make the arc unstable, and leave dross on…

A handheld plasma torch can cut mild steel quickly, but a straight cut depends more on setup and technique than on maximum amperage. The torch only needs to melt a…

Expanded metal is harder to cut cleanly than a solid sheet because the cutter repeatedly moves from metal to open air. With a plasma cutter, that can make the arc…

Cutting a clean round hole with a hand plasma cutter is possible, but freehand work rarely produces a truly round result. A plasma circle guide turns the torch into a…