To be or not to be, it's one of those questions where thoughts collide, brain matter disintegrates, and before you know it you're left with a headache hoping you just made the right decision. But the fact of the matter is we have to decide between two objects on a daily basis. Here's just a few of them: Coke or Pepsi? McDonald's or Burger King? Coors Light or Bud Light? Cheerios or lasagna? Work or the Dodger's game? It never ends, so with that being said we're going to throw another debate into the mix, plasma or oxy/fuel? Each of them has their benefits and each has loyal followers, but when it comes time for you to choose, what side do you stand on? The good news is, if you don't know by the end of this article, you should at least have some idea where to mark your territory.
Plasma Cutting-An IntroductionPlasma-the fourth state of matter-is an ionized gas that conducts electricity. Plasma is created by adding energy to an electrically neutral gas. In this case, the gas is compressed air and the energy is electricity. By adding electricity through an electrode (hafnium), the gas becomes imbalanced and conducts electricity. The more electrical energy added, the hotter the plasma arc becomes. Plasma cutters control this powerful energy by constricting the arc and forcing it through a concentrated area (the nozzle). By increasing air pressure and intensifying the arc with higher voltages, the arc becomes hotter and more capable of blasting through thicker metals and blowing away the cuttings, with minimal cleanup required.
With a power source, a plasma torch, compressed air, electrical power, and a supply of tips and electrodes, plasma cutters can rapidly and precisely cut through, gouge, or pierce any electrically conductive metal without preheating and with a minimal heat-affected zone. Plasma can cut metals such as aluminum, stainless steel, brass, and copper in excess of 2 inches thick-along with expanded and stacked metals.
This welding operator uses the Spectrum 375 plasma cutter from Miller Electric Mfg. Co. to trim this tubing. At 55 pounds, the Spectrum is also highly portable. | 
Welding operator Doug Thompson purchased this Miller Spectrum 625 plasma cutter for fabrication work because it allows him to cut through aluminum and rusty metal with ease. | 
Check out the cut quality of Miller Electric's Spectrum 625 on 1/2-inch steel. The other piece of steel was used as a template to guide the plasma torch during cutting. |
For cutting and welding versatility, Smith Equipment now offers heavy-duty and medium-duty kits. The kits include three cutting tips, a heating tip ("rosebud"), and a welding tip. They also contain two brass regulators, a Dual Guard cutting assembly, Dual Guard handle, and a tip cleaner; a 25-foot hose, goggles, and striker are optional. | 
Smith Equipment's Dual Guard torches increase oxy/fuel cutting safety. A revolutionary flash arrestor module built into the head of the torch and in-tip gas mixing technology provide double protection against flashback fires getting beyond the tip and into the torch itself. This also reduces torch damage, downtime, and repairs. | 
Smith Equipment's Dual Guard torches for oxy/fuel cutting feature a flash arrestor module built into the head of the torch. The flash arrestor is a stainless steel filter that absorbs heat energy away from the flashback and prevents it from going any farther into the equipment. A flashback is a fire or explosion that occurs when mixed gases are ignited in the equipment. |