Simple Question from Newbie

I just got my first Plasma cutter, really... a Supercut 50P. I understand it's the lower end of the spectrum, but its just for my home garage use. In that spirit, I am curious what the minimal reasonable compressor would be to run it at 50A. I live in a moderate subdivision and hate to run my larger noisy compressor for a while if I can run off a smaller pancake style version. I have tried to look at the manual (very vague across the board) and just need to know a reasonable minimum PSI and CFM to consider sufficient. Thanks.

David

Attachment 10871 About 3.5cfm @ 70 psi while cutting. The "pancake" won't do. You'll also need an air dryer... I like the motorgaurd kit but you can use the cheap harbor freight desiccant ones if you'd like.

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Originally Posted by tdkask

I just got my first Plasma cutter, really... a Supercut 50P. I understand it's the lower end of the spectrum, but its just for my home garage use. In that spirit, I am curious what the minimal reasonable compressor would be to run it at 50A. I live in a moderate subdivision and hate to run my larger noisy compressor for a while if I can run off a smaller pancake style version. I have tried to look at the manual (very vague across the board) and just need to know a reasonable minimum PSI and CFM to consider sufficient. Thanks.

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50 amps will take about 4 CFM @ 90 psi, 5 would be better. Tank size depends more on actual usage and pump size. Long cuts vs. short, recovery time, etc. Pancakes usually do not provide enough air for this. Sorry but you should run the big one. There are some things you can do to help quiet down a compressor for your neighbors. One thing is if it's near a wall, hand some carpet on that wall. That really cuts down on reflected sound.

David welcome to the forum

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Originally Posted by tdkask

hate to run my larger noisy compressor

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Welcome, David! Thank you for thinking of your neighbors- maybe the answer is to turn it around a little and invite the neighbor over to show him the new machine, try it out, debug, troubleshoot, whatever. That way he'll never even notice the compressor. The women folk will giggle and say things like "the boys will play with their toys" or "they're having a play date" but they're going to say that anyway, aren't they?

I'm always careful to NOT make a lot of noise when neighbors may be sleeping or have guests or something, and I always give the one neighbor close enough to be bothered a heads up if I'm going to do something too unusual. But we're close enough friends that they don't mind, and I've helped them out of a jam or two, or just had the right tool at the right time, that they're willing to cut me some slack.

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Originally Posted by Rambozo

...There are some things you can do to help quiet down a compressor for your neighbors. One thing is if it's near a wall, hand some carpet on that wall. That really cuts down on reflected sound.

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This is good advice. Also, a high-volume compressor can make a surprising amount of intake noise. I've seen a large IR compressor with the inlet piped through a wall so that the filter was outside the shop and it seemed noticeably quieter. Maybe not a solution for you if you have neighbors on all sides, but you may be able to muffle the intake some if it is a major sound source.
Plan B is to build an enclosure with lots of insulation.

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Originally Posted by its_34

Plan B is to build an enclosure with lots of insulation.

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A compressor needs good airflow to cool the pump and motor.

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Originally Posted by zoama585

A compressor needs good airflow to cool the pump and motor.

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Very true and something that must be considered in the design. I have some very quiet generators, both air and water cooled that run for hours in desert heat.

Here's a link to a small quite compressor and a link to the thread it was posted in: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...g=alvmetwor-20
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http://www.everlastgenerators.com/fo...ght=compressor