Welding Reference Card
One page. MIG, TIG, stick and flux core settings by thickness.
$3.99
Buy⚡ Plasma Cutting Parameters Calculator
Optimize speed, amperage, pierce time, and gas pressure for precision plasma cutting
Estimate cutting speed (IPM), suggested operating amperage, pierce time, and indicative gas pressure from material, thickness, machine capacity, cut-quality priority, and torch angle—consistent with the original calculator logic.
For shielding gas flow (welding), use the Shielding Gas Flow Rate Calculator; plasma cutting often pairs with shop air—see product picks below.
Welding
Complete Welding Settings Guide
19 pages. Four processes, stainless and aluminum, symbols and inspection.
$12.99
Buy
Welding Job Estimator
Price the job, then hand over a quote with no internal numbers.
Excel or Google Sheets. Best on a computer.
$29.00
BuyBEST VALUE
Welding Complete Bundle
Card, 19-page guide and the estimator workbook. All six files.
Excel or Google Sheets. Best on a computer.
$34.99
$45.98 if bought separately — save $10.99
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Recommended Plasma Cutting Equipment
Machines, shop air, and consumables aligned with plasma workflows—not generic welding filler picks.
Budget
55A Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter
- Cuts up to 1/2" steel
- 55A output power
- Pilot arc for easier starts
- Portable and affordable
- Great for home shops
Best value
PrimeWeld 3-in-1 Welder / Plasma
- MIG + TIG + plasma in one unit
- 50A plasma cutting
- Cuts up to 1/2" clean
- Multi-process versatility
- Strong fabricator value
Premium
Lotos LTP8000 80A Plasma
- 80A professional power
- Cuts up to 1" steel
- CNC-ready torch
- Heavy-duty for production
- Commercial reliability
Quincy QT-54 Air Compressor
- 60-gallon tank capacity
- Delivers 11.5 CFM @ 90 PSI
- Common plasma cutter pairing
- Two-stage design
- Industrial reliability
Sizing help: complete air compressor guide
Plasma Cutter Consumables Kit
- 50+ piece consumable set
- Electrodes, nozzles, shields
- Fits many 40–50A cutters
- Long-lasting performance
- Keep spares on hand
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Understanding Plasma Cutting Parameters
Plasma cutting parameters drive cut quality, speed, and consumable life. Critical inputs include travel speed (IPM), effective amperage, torch angle, and pierce behavior.
What is Cutting Speed (IPM)?
Cutting speed is inches per minute (IPM). Higher speeds cut faster but can reduce edge quality; slower speeds often clean up the kerf.
Quick Reference: Standard Cutting Speeds
| Material | Thickness | Amperage | Typical Speed (IPM) | Dross Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mild Steel | 1/8" | 45 A | 200-250 | Minimal |
| Mild Steel | 1/4" | 65 A | 130-180 | Minimal |
| Mild Steel | 1/2" | 130 A | 60-90 | Light |
| Stainless | 1/4" | 65 A | 80-120 | Moderate |
| Aluminum | 1/4" | 65 A | 80-110 | Heavy |
Pro tip: Before cutting expensive stock, run a short test on scrap of the same thickness and alloy.
Document repeat jobs with our cutting speed & feed calculator where it fits your workflow.
Related Tools
Prefer torch cutting without electricity? Try the Oxy-Fuel Cutting Tip Calculator, Oxy-Fuel Cutting Guide, Oxy-Fuel Troubleshooting, and Oxy-Fuel vs Plasma.
When Plasma Cuts Still Fail — Diagnose Beyond Starting Settings
Calculator amps/IPM looked right but dross, bevel, or arc dropouts persisted: Plasma Cutting Troubleshooting. Settings tables: Plasma Cutting Settings Guide. Compressor CFM: Air Compressor Sizing for Plasma.
Running a CNC or gantry table? Pierce height, pierce delay, cut height, and IPM are a different tool: the CNC Plasma Pierce Height & Cut Speed Calculator. This page stays on handheld torch amps, travel, and gas pressure. Why the numbers disagree: CNC vs handheld plasma settings.
Related Calculators & Guides
- → Cut-Cost & Time Estimator
- → Cut-Cost Estimator Guide
- → Cut-Cost Troubleshooting
- → DXF vs Manual Entry
- → Hot Work & Fire Watch Permit Checklist
- → Welding Fume Ventilation CFM Calculator
- → Noise Exposure Calculator
- → Sheet Metal Bend Radius Calculator
- → Sheet Metal Bending Guide
- → Sheet Metal Gauge Chart
- → Metal Cutting Speed Calculator
What this calculator does
Dial in plasma cutting speed, recommended amperage, pierce time, and gas pressure from material type and thickness. Quality and torch angle settings adjust the baseline toward cleaner dross-free cuts or faster production. Use it at the table when you change from thin sheet to plate or switch between steel, stainless, and aluminum.
What each input means
- Material type: Mild steel, stainless, aluminum, or other—changes speed and gas expectations.
- Material thickness: Actual measured thickness in inches, not gauge chart nominal.
- Machine amperage: Output class of your cutter (40A, 60A, 80A, etc.)—must meet or exceed recommended amps for the thickness.
- Desired cut quality: Production vs finish—slower speeds usually mean less dross and squarer edges.
- Torch angle: Degrees off vertical; affects kerf, bevel, and speed on thick plate.
Using the results on the job
Set travel speed from the IPM result, then tune by watching the spark trail and listening to the arc—calculators give a starting point, not a substitute for a test cut on your consumables. Match gas pressure and pierce delay before you burn holes in expensive plate. Log settings on the job folder when a setup works so the next operator does not rediscover them from scratch.
Thin sheet needs lower amps and faster travel; thick plate may require multiple passes or a larger machine class than the calculator assumes if your unit is current-limited. Stainless and aluminum often need dedicated consumables and gas—confirm your torch is rated for the material before production cuts. Pair results with your shop CFM calculator so the compressor keeps up during long nest runs.
Save a photo of the settings panel next to the calculator screenshot on the job—helps when you revisit the same thickness months later. If pierce time feels long, check standoff and consumable wear before cranking amps.