plasma cutters??

[gnpenning]

I have never run a plasma and have been keeping an eye out for a good used one. A thermal dynamics econopak 50 has come up for sale locally. It is a 220v 1 ph unit. Is this a good machine and what would one be worth? ( I have not see it or talked to the owner yet waiting for his reply). Anything to watch out for? Thanks in advance

 

[bmc69]

We've had great luck with Thermal Dynamics equipment over the years, so no worries there. As for that unit, I don't have any experience; our TD plasma cutter is a 150.

 

[xcntrk]

Find out how many watts it is. That will determine how much cutting power you have for the thick stuff. For example my unit is 220v 1-phase @ 4k watts and will cut up to 3/8" on a single pass. Higher wattage units can cut thicker metal.

 

[gnpenning]

bmc I am guessing that parts are easy to find. do you get yours locally or online?

xcntrk I do not have any info on watts as of yet but his ad claims it will cut up to 1/2". That would be more than I would ever use.

Any tips on using?

Thanks

 

[TwoDalesDad]

I used to own a Thermal Dynamics unit...and it always had " issues "I did buy a Hyper therm unit and love it....it cuts like a hot knife through butter...The Main Goal of Plazma technolgy..is Clean Dry Air....And A good ground.....The dry air will save on Consumables! !!!

 

[xcntrk]

Tips on cutting?

I agree dry air so get a water separator for your air input. This is mandatory really on any plasma system. Also, take some time and make up some cutting guides. I finally broke down and bought a fancy plasma guide from my manufacture, but before that I made both a straight and circle cutting guide.

I cut all the holes in this pic using a home-made circle cutting guide

 

[nick1975bronco]

at work i have a td 180 and it works great cuts 1/2 inch no problem. and no issues with it. i work on heavy trucks and plows and build everything army strong like 1/4 inch tube for rockers on are plows and i love the plasma for fabing and once your used to it cut bolts fast and easier than torches. like bronco guru said get some guides i made a few makes fabing a lot faster. new ares was about $2500 here in canada.

 

[gnpenning]

good to know about the dry air. My air tools like it but didn't know about plasma's

xcntrk that looks great.

 

[fordfan]

X 2 on the Hypertherm units. I have a Hypertherm 1350 that has performed flawless for several years.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Good choice. 50A machine is a good home/small~medium shop plasma. I think it is rated for a clean 3/8" cut and up to an ugly 3/4" cut. My 50A has cut axle shaft ears off a couple of times so I could get the axles out. Right at the limit, not the cleanest cut, but still a cut. It will do 1/4 plate great and you will probably want to turn it down a little when doing sheet metal.

Simple tips, don't do the TV show thing and pull the trigger while holding it in the air, that just destroys consumables for no good reason. Have the tip in contact with what you are cutting (idealy just a little tiny gap but not needed and a pain to do. They make training wheels if you really need them). Good ground. Be prepared for the spray of hot air and metal as it cuts. Be careful as it will cut more then just the top layer, it is easy to scar or destroy stuff a little further down then expected. You can take square tubing and cut the corner off by cutting through both walls at once, it will do stuff like that especially when you are not expecting it.

 

[fordfan]

Good choice.
If my memory is right, the 1350 is rated 1.25" steel and will sever 1.5". As previously stated, the cut quality disappears when material over capacity is cut. We use this machine for cutting more than just automotive gauge steel, so that is why we got the 1350. A plasma that would cut 1/2" would be more than sufficient for "Bronco" work. (the higher amperage is nice though because it is so much faster through thinner gauges; this machine will cut 3/8" about as fast as you can move the torch if you have the power knob turned up and 80 psi.)

 

[xcntrk]

Be prepared for the spray of hot air and metal as it cuts. Be careful as it will cut more then just the top layer, it is easy to scar or destroy stuff a little further down then expected. You can take square tubing and cut the corner off by cutting through both walls at once, it will do stuff like that especially when you are not expecting it.

my wife just asked me the other day why I have all these little burn holes on the tops of my socks! That's after the slag burnt through my shop shoes.

Another tip, don't waste time and energy using an angle grinder to remove slag on the back side of a heavy cut, instead knock it off with a chisel or other similar object. I keep an old banged up chisel set I use just for this purpose.

 

[lowbush]

If you don't already have a TIG you may want to consider one of the 3 in 1 units if you don't need a dedicated plasma machine. Having a TIG around comes in really handy.

 

[gnpenning]

great info guys. He final got back with me and had sold it to someone else. I'm still looking and appreciate the useful info I know it will help me and hopefully others.

 

[Pcparas]

If your still looking for a plasma cutter I highly recommend Hypertherm. I recently got a Hypertherm Powermax 900 and its an incredible machine! I have cut up to 1/2 cleanly without an issue. I am sure it can cut considerably thicker metal as well, I just haven't had any need for it.

 

[migs]

although I havent used other brands I have only good things to say about Hypertherm. I have a Hypertherm powermax 1650 with a machine torch on a cnc plasma cutting table and it has been reliable and consistent in the past five years of commercial use.

 

[rastiss]

Thermal dynamics and hypertherm are both good units. I went with thermal dynamics as the consumables were cheaper and less parts to replace in the head. As mentioned, dry air is a must...

 

[gnpenning]

Won't use enough to justify new. I will let some one else test it in for me. Missed one a few weeks ago while I was out of town. Appreciate that good info.

 

[stlo]

If u can get it .....get it...it's a good machine and it will do anything u need to do at the house.....I have this one and a hypertherm ...... Dry air is important but having an air compressor to keep up with it is important to....

 

[WARDOG]

......... Dry air is important but having an air compressor to keep up with it is important to....

ABSOLUTELY!
I purchased a Hypertherm 1000 in 2005. It is one badass cutting machine! I get my consumables from E-Bay for about 1/2 retail. It's cut 1/2" plate at about 30" per min.
I burned up a Craftsman compressor right away chopping up a 1970 Ranchero. But I was running it 100% duty for 1/2 hour. I went with a USA Curtis - Toledo and haven't looked back.
I use two in line filters and a dryer from the compressor. Moisture will kill the machine quickly, and irrepairably.
A Hypertherm Powermax 600 should be all you need for automotive work.

I disagree with getting a 3 in 1 machine. If one part goes down it may affect the whole unit and may not be worth repairing.
A plasma cutter is not best for all cutting thou. Tremendous heat, spraying molten sparks, and slag make it unsuitable for a lot of body stuff on a put-together-auto with fuel lines, flammable materials. I use a good quality Ingersoll Rand Pnuematic Body saw which does well on body work without the sparks.