I soooo need a plasma cutter!

[Alibongo]

I made this butterfly but cutting out the wings with only an angle grinder & a dremel to my name was a tedious task!
I'm saving up for a plasma!

 

[mike 109444]

Not sure how thick the wings are but if in the 1 to 1.5 mm then might be worth considering one of these. designed for cutting curves and with care a straight cut.
Not tried one myself though. Just use the straight type bench shears.
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cps75-mini-sheet-metal-cutter
Shop around though as MM are not the cheapest.
Nice to see your keeping busy with your designs and thought your finished reindeer was good. : )

 

[Alibongo]

Oooo.....quite like the look of that!
I'll do a little research on it as it could be useful until I get the money together :-)

 

[mike 109444]

Bare in mind if you do go the MM rout of the vat vouchers that members get but don't need. As it's a Clerk product think you will find that's 20% off

 

[chunkolini]

I have got one of thjose, great for external convex curves, but trying to cut concave curves wrecks them quickly.
Good piced of kit though if you bear that in mind.
Plasma is a useful addition to the armoury.

 

[mike 109444]

Why ? Mr C

 

[chunkolini]

For cutting things out.
As long as you buy a compressor to go with it. I missed that when I bought mine.
doh!

 

[mike 109444]

I meant why does it wreck them cutting concaved curves ?

 

[chunkolini]

s you cut around the outside of a curve the off cut metal curls up and away frm the blade, going inside the curve the offcut has nowhere to go and strains the bearing mechanism on the cutting wheels.
if you cut a series of strsight lines leaving just a thin edge to cut off to make the curve helps a lot, the wings on that butterfly eg would be fine.

 

[norlander]

the mini sheet metal cutter sounds handy-and quiet to use.
I've got one of these for sheet metal https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cat63-air-nibbler good but noisy
I had the air shears but they broke and putting em back together defeated me so they are in the bin
An electric nibbler would be a nice addition to the toolkit https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/makita-jn1601-110v-nibbler
but this caught my eye
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/bosch-gsc-10-8-v-li-professional-cordless-meta expensive-thats the price with no battery or charger.

But, my lil cut 50 chomps through thick n thin steel, plus aluminium and stainless of course, and I have the contact tip one so I can just write on the work -and apart from the compressor, its quiet.And its fun

 

[chunkolini]

I have tyhe mains version of the Bosch shears in Nolrnders post, brilliant piece of kit. But I would say plasma first as it is more versatile.

 

[lexi]

I have the cut 40, angle grinders, nibblers etc. For steel sheet around the 3 mm mark........and cleanliness, good jigsaw for me.
I only got a good jigsaw recently and I reach for it constantly now. Small garage and light use here, YMMV.