Plasma Cutter + Air Compressor

A question for the metal fabricators out there. I'm buying a Hobart plasma cutter and it requires 3 CFM at 90-120 PSI. My air compressor delivers 6.5cfm at 90psi, will this be enough? Is the 90-120 psi requirement a range or 90 psi is the minimum? Thanks for any info.

 

You can make an exterior air tank that you can precharge before use. You don't have to rely on the compressor alone while cutting.

 

The issue for plasma is usually more with CFM than PSI for them to run smoothly. If your compressor is able to keep up with the advertised 6 cfm rating, you should be good. Plasma cutters flow a lot of volume at 90 psi. You’ll want to make sure the tank is big enough to sustain that for as long as you intend to work with the plasma.

 

Thanks and to rnish above. It’s a 5 gallon tank so wondering if I need a 10+ gallon external tank? It’s rated at 6.5 CFM at 90 psi, so should be good. Here’s the cutter.

https://www.hobartwelders.com/equipment/plasma-cutters/airforce-27i-m30071

 

Just read a few negative reviews on the Hobart plasma cutter. May go with this one which seems to have stellar reviews.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Hypertherm-Powermax30-XP-with-15ft-Torch-Pkg-088079/131765833952

 

Never heard a bad thing about hypertherm ones.

 

I'm slow like a turtle, never got around to buying the Hobart. The Miller plasma cutters and welders come highly recommended which I'm now looking at. Let me know if anyone has any comments good or bad about these two.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/MILLER-SPECTRUM-375-X-TREME-PLASMA-CUTTER-907529/131397513285

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Miller-Mil...er-with-Advanced-Auto-Set-907614/132030715020