Plasma Cutter Filter

[ChrisV]

Well I have been cutting with the 375 and trying to get used to the speed/amp settings, so far it's going pretty well...I think.
My question is about a filter on the air input of the 375. I currently have a dry filter on the ouput of the compressor but I am wondering if I should have some extra protection right at the plasma cutter input as recommeded by the filters in the Miller catalog (2004). Also not sure which one to go with from the catalog, the Motor Guard Air Filter (#042 306) or RTI Filter(#195 188, this is similar to the type that is at the output of my compressor). What is everyone else using? I would hate to have ruined my machine because I didn't put on $100 filter...

Thanks

[timw]

I've got the 625 and I don't have a filter on mine. I have a 5hp 2 stage compressor and about 50' of black iron pipe to where I plug in. I drain my tank and lines frequently. I read somewhere that water will shorten tip life so any water removal is a good thing.

[ASKANDY]

Chris,
Unless you are cutting all day and have a moisture problem with your compressor because of high use from other tools and equipment, you most likely won't need another filter. For general use or hobby use, you should be fine. I have an air dryer on my plasma table but the rest of my air drops do not have filters and I plug my roll around plasmas in them with no problems. Even if you do have some moisture, it won't ruin your machine but the cut quality and tip life will be reduced quite a bit.

Andy

[ChrisV]

Thanks Andy, it always nice on the pocket when you don't have to buy an extra accessory.

[imported_Jim]

Chris,
I guess in Arizona the humidity is not much of a problem....
Here in Texas we have some humidity and I run a Motorgard filter/w bracket right on the plasma cart... A paint/body supply store will probably have those filters cheaper if you ever decide to get one....

[bitternut]

I also have the Miller 375 and I run the same filter as Ripshot attached right to the back of the Miller cart that came with the plasma cutter. Its been working real good for me and I am only 80 feet from the shore of Lake Ontario. We see pretty high humidity so if it works for me it ought to work anywhere. I got mine from my local Miller dealer but you can also find them online pretty reasonable. Think I saw them online for about $60 with a spare filter. The filter removes more than water so to me it is good insurance.

[Sberry]

Yup, I agree, even a 14$ CH seperator filter from HD on the back is a good idea. At least you could see if you were getting water and in case of some rust or debris in the piping or hoses. I have 2 before the unit, not as good as a motor guard, a main one and a small one + whatever type of screening or filter comes on the unit.

[Sberry]

Here are a couple of pics. I have a home made condensor ahead of these but these are in series and the big one feeds a couple of hoses for a bench, the line with a valve goes to the plaz and the little one is on the back of the unit.

[Trailermaniac]

Plasma Cutter Filter

Just as a matter of my personal experience...a few years ago, when I bought my first plasma, for a job making about 50 lam beam brackets out of 1/4 inch MS...I was going through a set of consumables at the rate of about 1 set an hour of cutting...at that rate I thought that the cost for the speed of cutting would get pretty steep... I attributed the high rate of erosion of the consumables to the thickness of the metal (near the machines rated capability of 5/16 MS)...When I consulted my dealer, he suggested trying a toilet paper type filter (black aluminum take-apart cannister) after the water trap I had installed on the back of my unit...end result the consumables started to last about 2 weeks of the same type of usage...at about $6 per set of consumables that became a dramatic savings...I'm just now getting near the end of my considerable back up stock that I thought I need after 2 years!!! TM

ps. Be sure to open the filter case when storing to avoid corrosion to the aluminum case...mine got cruded up pretty nasty...live and learn...TM

[Scott V]

Here is mine and it seems to does a pretty good Job using desiccant I also have one more filter down line from my copper line.

Sberry, how come your Miller did not come with a filter on the plasma? Esab, and Thermal don't nail you for one.

I still am a firm believer in a refrigerated air system if you want the longest life out of your consumables. Not too handy on the road though. CNC plasma really respond to clean dry air. You can tell pretty quick when something is a miss.

[Sberry]

I assume there is some kind of internal filter??? The regulator is an intergrel part of the unit but I had the thing so I stuck it on.