Plasma Cutting Metal for Ceiling

[somky]

In this thread PAToyota suggests using a plasma cutter on roofing metal. Will this work on painted metal? Will the paint burn back much? Is a 1 inch J channel enough to cover what burn back there is?

I am using metal as pictured below on my ceiling. Plasma cutter is on my wish list so this would an excellent excuse to buy one.

John

 

[danski0224]

The plasma cutter won't do any more damage than something like an abrasive cutoff wheel.

The paint will give off fumes and it might mess with your plasma gun consumables.

Take a piece of metal to the welding shop for a demo and see for yourself.

 

[AdamMopar]

I would recommend not using it on the painted metal.

I'd just put the blade in backwards on a circular saw and have at it. It works well and the J-channel won't have any problem covering it.

That's my opinion.

Adam

 

[dipper]

I've used the plasma cutter at work on painted steel a few times before. It is not that bad, being white, you may want to clean the edges up afterwards and maybe hit with a little spray paint, but 1" jchannel should cover up any burn marks.
I say, buy the plasma and go for it....You may never have this opportunity again.

 

[Vicegrip]

I cut painted metal all the time with a drag gun type plasma cutter. a little band of black and no fire. =Use the right size unit and keep it moving at the right speed and you can make a nice clean fast cut. A guide helps too.

 

[PAToyota]

Yep: clean cut, a little singed along the edge, but less than when I use an abrasive wheel. Mind you, I'm using an 80amp Hypertherm Powermax 1100 with fine cut consumables. I'm not sure what you plan on getting, but I can't speak as to whether a lower power unit will do as nice a job.

 

[somky]

Thanks for all the responses. I have a Miller Spectrum 375 on order.

John