how do you unheat treat a plasma cut or stop it

[fun4now]

im doing decrative work with my plasma cutter and as my hand is not to stedy with the torch i need to clean my cuts up with a file. this is a real job as the plasma cutter instantly heat treats the metal as i cut it. im using 10 - 14 gage mild steel and my file realy dosent like to work its way through the hard edg. seems i remember something about baking it from my electro-plaiting days but i think that was to restore the tempor not to remove heat treated.
any ideals how to stop this or to reverse the heat treat made by my cut ????

[walker]

Don't know how to unheat treat it but... Power tools is where its at for removing the scale. For the small kerks trya dremel, or an abrasive (thin) cut off wheel. There is also made, although I don't own one a power file(air or electric), 5"angle grinder and die grinder with many assorted bit. These tools have always worked for me. Also, if you need to use a file in a small spot, use an angle grinder on the outsides first. It gives your file a spot to start. I have had good luck with a small sandblaster too.
Good luck

[Paul Seaman]

3M makes a mandrel for pneumatic tools and they make scotchbrite pads for cleaning AL but for steel they make sandpaper discs that work great. Also a 4 or 4-1/2" grinder with a grinding disc work for the thicker on thin it will want to shake violently if you get close to perpendicular to the metal. There are also scale removers, also pneumatic.

For reversing the heat treat, you might try a propane torch and flash the metals edge until the whole edge is brought to common elevated temp and allow to slow cool.

Good luck,

[fun4now]

too small 4 a 4" grinder

doing small decrotive work far to small for the grinder mostly using a jewelers file as the cuts in some spots are barly larger than a magic marker line 1/4" square is prity big in my case.

I like the torch ideal but how hot do i use my O/A torch or just a propain type?

[fun4now]

foot pedle

well i added a foot pedle to my plasma cutter and my cuts are beter so atleast i have less to file. also tryed it without the handle i like it ok but need to make a new handle i think strait up and down i think? eather way the foot controle realy helped

[tackit]

Be nice if someone came up with different shaped/sized carbide or diamond jigsaw files, then maybe i would use my jigsaw.

[hankj]

Fun,

Got a stand-off roller guide? Takes the shake out of the hand, but I understand they are pricey.

Be well.

hank

[HAWK]

Originally posted by tackit
Be nice if someone came up with different shaped/sized carbide or diamond jigsaw files, then maybe i would use my jigsaw.

tackit,

I use a Bosch jigsaw with their carbide and bimetal blades. I get great results on 1/8" and 3/16" while quarter inch takes more time and coolant on the blade. I have done 3/8" with some patience. I am speaking of steel. The aluminm is no problem. I clean any rough edges left by the plasma with an angle die grinder and a 3M rough grit Rol-Loc disc.

[fun4now]

jig saw

i thought about putting my jewlers file in my jig saw but havent tried it yet. as for carbide blades im working on 10-16 gage mettal so it would just rip it up .
i got my foot peddle on and am going to work on a better handle today i think i tryed out the foot peddle some yesterday with great results leaving verry little to file i think im on the right track now.

[walker]

I like the suggestion of the descaler. I have heard them called needlers, or needle guns too. I think you can see one on the northern tools web site. It is a pneumatic hand held gun, about the size of a small die grinder, and it quickly pops in and out the little rods(needles) that knock te scale off. I have not ever used one, but it sure looks like it would do the trick.

[fun4now]

scale no problem

i pop of the scale with a strait slot screwdriver and the back of a wire brush as a hammer.

[meadjug]

Plasma Cam

Checkout www.plasmacam.com they have a great machine for art work.A little costly but not as much as CNC. Does real accurate detail cuts for art and fast repetive cutting.
meadjug

[fun4now]

by hand

not looking to have a machine do the cutting prefer to do by hand.i dont belive it is art if a computer spits them out 1 after another it becomes just a design.

[Paul Seaman]

James that makes you a craftsman, and that is based on charactor, and skills. Don't change that, it is your trademark.

Peace,

[fun4now]

thanks

too old, too broken, and too stubern to change now.
i have the time to do it right, if i didnt i wouldnt bother to do it .