Plasma cutter....

[JohnX]

Looking to buy my first plasma cutter for fabrication. I would like your input as to which brands/models are good or bad. I want one that will do a fairly clean cut on 1/4" steel and smaller. I don't know a whole lot about them, but I'm getting VERY tired of my sawzall. I will use it only for odd jobs on my Jeep collection....bumpers, skids, armor, etc. I don't want to spend over $1000, but would like something that is going to last a while under fairly light use. I have compressed air and 220V at my disposal...so an internal pump is not a requirement and voltage is not a concern either.

Let me have it...

 

[moneypitxj]

i use a hypertherm 1000 at work. a little out of the $1000 range but, that one cuts up to 1". i think they are one of the best brand of plasma cutters. they make cutters more in your price range.

 

[larrypoole]

How does $1,080 free shipping sound,

I bought a THERMAL DYNAMICS CUTMASTER 38 PLASMA CUTTER 1-3820 from eBay weldingsuppliesatwsc about a year ago. Excellent machine for the money.

Clean cut 3/8", good on 1/4", and severs 5/8" mild steel and every other metal that will conduct electricity.

NEW Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38 Plasma Cutter(1-3820)
FREE Shipping to 48 states and FREE Gloves and Glasses

eBay Item number: 7537278107

 

[xuv-this]

How does $1,080 free shipping sound,

I bought a THERMAL DYNAMICS CUTMASTER 38 PLASMA CUTTER 1-3820 from eBay weldingsuppliesatwsc about a year ago. Excellent machine for the money.

funny, my old man has the same machine. good for the $$.
but be aware that you can cut through thick sheet steel with a powerful stick welder. plasmas can be kinda tricky if you're just learning. just get extra tips. and more than a couple.

 

[VegasAnthony]

I used the one at the fab shop at school
biggest piece of crap Ive ever had the displeasure of getting my hands on

 

[atx xj]

xuv-this...plasma cutters r pretty easy to get good with...all it takes is a steady hand and constant and stedy movement. id say get 3 tips....ull stick 2 of them before u get the hang of it. what are you gonna use for an air supply? u have a big enuff compressor?

 

[JohnX]

I have an 80 gallon compressor so air supply shouldn't be a problem.

 

[xuv-this]

xuv-this...plasma cutters r pretty easy to get good with...all it takes is a steady hand and constant and stedy movement. id say get 3 tips....ull stick 2 of them before u get the hang of it. what are you gonna use for an air supply? u have a big enuff compressor?

or you stick one and burn up the other two :laugh3:. me and my old man have probably been through a dozen or so. it just depends on what you're cutting. cutting through thick scrap at wierd angles can do that. it has enough air. but a torch works better on thick pig iron and stuff like that.

 

[atx xj]

^ this is true....ive mainly done it on thin plate for my bosses race car body panels...im sure any weird angles or patterns on something thick would complicate things a fair amount

 

[xuv-this]

plasmas are da bomb for sheet metal. quick and easy. they do make plasmas big enough for REALLY thick stuff, but they ain't cheap.

 

[AzRick]

I got a Hypertherm 380 a few weeks ago.

After playing with it for a while, I've gotten the hang of it.

It'll go through 1/4" no problem. Haven't really tried anything thicker.

Saved buttloads of time on the latest fab project.

Rick

 

[marcoleo]

I've got telwin tecnica 31 few weeks ago, it's italian brand but sold also in USA, It's very cheap €560, maximum tickness 8mm, inverter technology, very light weight 6Kilograms, spare parts electrode €5, nozzle €3. This version require 230V but there is the tecnica 18 that use 115V. www.telwin.com

 

[RCP Phx]

Plasma cutters hate oil/water,get yourself a dryer/separator and you wont likely go thru so many nozzles.

 

[xuv-this]

Plasma cutters hate oil/water,get yourself a dryer/separator and you wont likely go thru so many nozzles.

oohhh. he he ours has prolly gone through almost a gallon so far...crapsman seperator. well, you learn somethin' new every day...<thanks>

 

[JohnX]

How does $1,080 free shipping sound,

I bought a THERMAL DYNAMICS CUTMASTER 38 PLASMA CUTTER 1-3820 from eBay weldingsuppliesatwsc about a year ago. Excellent machine for the money.

Clean cut 3/8", good on 1/4", and severs 5/8" mild steel and every other metal that will conduct electricity.

NEW Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38 Plasma Cutter(1-3820)
FREE Shipping to 48 states and FREE Gloves and Glasses

eBay Item number: 7537278107

This is the one I bought...Haven't got it yet, but I'll let you know how it goes after I build something. First projects should be....Axle trussing D30, Tank skid, Belly skid/crossmember. Not necessarily in that order.

 

[cherokeekid]

expand your budget a bit hypertherm 600 can be had for about 1450 shipped and it will easily cut 3/4", the more you spend up front the better your resale if you go another route

 

[JohnX]

Have been cutting a little with the hypertherm 380 and it seems very good. Not sure why you guys say it requires practice? First cut was a piece of cake!

 

[Lucas]

I think it requires practice. I tried cutting 3/4" and was blowing slag all over the place. I still have a scar or two.

 

[xuv-this]

so true. practice makes perfect when cutting through wierd angled stuff, too

 

[Wa Woody]

expand your budget a bit hypertherm 600 can be had for about 1450 shipped and it will easily cut 3/4", the more you spend up front the better your resale if you go another route

X2 Great machine and really easy to get the hang of it.

Woody