What this tool answers
You need a first-pass handheld plasma amp class before buying. Enter required mild-steel clean-cut thickness in inches. The calculator names the smallest class on this site’s ladder — 40 A, 50 A, or 65 A — that clears the published clean-cut claim, or returns NO_MATCH. It is not a pierce qualification, CNC process sheet, or lab test of edge quality.
Clean cut vs severance
Manufacturer pages often list a clean-cut (recommended) thickness and a higher max/severance thickness. Size the machine so your daily thickness sits inside clean-cut capacity at a usable travel speed. Severance is a slow, rough separation limit — not a promise of production edges.
Class ladder on this site
Classes use published VEVOR US plasma ratings checked 2026-09-10: (1) 40 A with ≤0.47 in cutting claim, (2) 50 A with ≤1/2 in clean cut @ 220 V, (3) 65 A non-HF pilot with ≤5/8 in clean cut @ 220 V. Matching rule: smallest class where clean ≥ thickness_in.
When the answer is NO_MATCH
If thickness exceeds 5/8 in (0.625 in) on this clean-cut ladder, this site returns NO_MATCH. Typical next steps: confirm units (inches vs mm), check whether you need severance infrequently instead of daily clean cuts, or move to a higher-amp industrial plasma / oxyfuel / waterjet plan. Do not force a 65 A consumer unit.
Air, consumables, and PPE
Dry air at the published CFM/PSI matters as much as amps. Worn tips and electrodes widen the kerf and lower capacity. Wear eye/face protection suitable for plasma, gloves, and hearing protection. Never cut pressurized containers or unknown coatings without controls. Dual-voltage units often cut thinner on 110 V — verify the live nameplate for your circuit.
Sources
VEVOR US plasma product pages for clean-cut and max-cut claims dated in products.json (checked 2026-09-10). Industry sizing practice emphasizing daily clean-cut thickness over occasional severance. Safety framing follows common manufacturer warnings: PPE, dry air, consumable condition, and hazardous materials/containers.