# Advice on cut speed for 1/2 alum **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [October 12, 2024, 3:48pm UTC](https://forum.arcdroidcnc.com/t/advice-on-cut-speed-for-1-2-alum/4557 "2024-10-12T15:48:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![frob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8e8cbc/32.png) [@frob](https://forum.arcdroidcnc.com/u/frob)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2024, 3:48pm UTC](https://forum.arcdroidcnc.com/t/advice-on-cut-speed-for-1-2-alum/4557/1 "2024-10-12T15:48:41Z")
hey guys i need to cut out some parts out of 1/2" aluminum. im running a hypertherm 30xp. any advice on cut speed, torch height, amps. new to this and figured i would ask here before wasting a few hundred dollars in aluminum figuring it out. ---
**Author:** ![BobD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@BobD](https://forum.arcdroidcnc.com/u/BobD)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2024, 11:30pm UTC](https://forum.arcdroidcnc.com/t/advice-on-cut-speed-for-1-2-alum/4557/2 "2024-10-12T23:30:59Z")
I don’t think you have enough plasma cutter for 1/2” aluminum…. With a Hypertherm Powermax45 I’d start with 45 Amps, .06” cut height, .15” pierce height, edge start! 15”/min cut speed. Give it a try with yours. Edge start is a must and maybe 5”/min. At 30A, max alum thickness recommended is only 14Ga. ---
**Author:** ![frob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8e8cbc/32.png) [@frob](https://forum.arcdroidcnc.com/u/frob)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2024, 12:08am UTC](https://forum.arcdroidcnc.com/t/advice-on-cut-speed-for-1-2-alum/4557/3 "2024-10-13T00:08:40Z")
Well that annoying it can do 1/2 steel but not aluminum? Just looked at the manual… ---
**Author:** ![BobD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@BobD](https://forum.arcdroidcnc.com/u/BobD)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2024, 12:27am UTC](https://forum.arcdroidcnc.com/t/advice-on-cut-speed-for-1-2-alum/4557/4 "2024-10-13T00:27:19Z")
Aluminum takes more power than steel, it dissipates heat so much faster than steel. Same issue welding it. ---
**Author:** ![frob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8e8cbc/32.png) [@frob](https://forum.arcdroidcnc.com/u/frob)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2024, 12:55am UTC](https://forum.arcdroidcnc.com/t/advice-on-cut-speed-for-1-2-alum/4557/5 "2024-10-13T00:55:20Z")
Guess i need a new plasma cutter. Is what it is. I can still make my 3/8 parts in the meantime. So not a total loss.