CMICHAEL,
I know you won't want to give up your plasma cutter, but you owe it to yourself to check out AGFuel (propylene) gas in lieu of acetylene or plasma cutting for carbon steels. I am a very hard sell (ask the local distributers), and I don't want to hear a lot of sales talk, but this particular gas had me convinced in a matter of minutes. I know, everyone tried the MAPP and other gasses that were not all they were cracked up to be, but this particular gas is great!
I tried this gas after watching the demo by a representative from AGF, and I was amazed. When performed properly (it takes very little skill by the operator), this gas would cut material like a shear with aboslutely no slag. When cuts were not performed properly (by trainees), the slag was easily removed, usually by one tap of the chipping hammer. The demo included a cut made from approximately 6-8" from the base metal for a bevel, and the cut was perfect!
You may want to sell your plasma cutter (unless your working with non-ferrous materials also) if you try this gas. It costs more than acetylene, but 1 bottle of AGF is equivelent to about 3 bottles of acetylene.
I now include this gas as a substitute for acetylene when I write project specifications. Give them a call and find out for yourself. Airgas is at least one supplier for AGF. AGFuel is based out of Texas, I don't have their number right this second, but when I find it I will post it.
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