Plasma cutters

[mortimersnerd]

I'm thinking about asking Santa and the Birthday Fairy to team up and bring me a plasma cutter for home shop use. After doing a ton of reading online, I'd appreciate any info you guys can share about the options. I'm trying to decide between a cheap Ebay plasma in the $300 range and something like the Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 42i which goes for about $960, which would mean 3-6 months of extra saving. They're close enough in cut rating that it doesn't really matter for my uses and the reviews on the Chinese crap are pretty good. Given that I can buy 2-3 of the potentially disposable Ebay cutters for the price of the TD, is there any reason that I should spend the extra? Also, I've found an ESAB 35a cutter that's about 10 years old locally for $450. Any thoughts on that option?

 

[rockslut]

I bought a Longevity force cut-40 about 3 years ago. Haven't had a issue with it. Other than wishing i had bought one 10 years ago. I dont use it for a living. That being said i use it at least once a weekend.. I have at times leaned on it pretty hard. Building bumpers, cages ect.. I think i payed arount $400 for it 3 years ago. With out it i would have gone through $400 in sawsall blades, oxy-cet, cut off disks ect. I love the fact that is cuts aluminum. Im going to build some Aluminum tube doors for my bronco over the winter. The plasma will have a big part in that. I have cut 3/4 flat stock with it, just messing around. Most all i cut is from sheet metal up to 3/8. Hope this helps...

 

[WARDOG]

I buy tools to make a living, therefore I only like to buy a tool ONCE.
Buy the best you can afford, and of which the consumables are easy to find (tips, cups, insulators).
Buy a name brand, new or used. There will be parts support, and someone you can actually talk to on the phone if you have issues. The Chinese tend to change models about every three months so there is limited repair parts, and next to ZERO customer support.
There are a lot of good used plasma cutters on the market right now from shops folding. If you buy used, make sure you can test the unit, and make sure it has a proper filter system installed. Cutters need dry air. ANY moisture or oil from your compressor and they will have a short life span.
I bought a Hypertherm Powermax 1000 in 2005. I have had to replace a couple of parts over the years with no problem. I buy consumables off fleabay for about 20% of the retail price.

ADDED: I forgot to mention. Make sure your air compressor can support the cutter you purchase. I burned up two Craftsman air compressors on warranty using my plasma cutter when it was new. Respect the duty cycle of your compressor if it is not rated for 100%. I bought a Curtis- Toledo USA compressor and never looked back.

 

[rjrobin2002]

I have given a longevity hell also for 5 yrs with no problem. it uses the same consumables as a miller, but i forgot what model. They gave me 24 tips and nozzels and i have only used half of them in 5 yrs. I use mine about once a week or two and dont know what i did without it.

 

[Steve83]

You'll never regret buying a high-quality durable tool that retains its value.

 

[langester]

I started with a used miller spectrum 375 and it worked great, I upgraded to a miller 2050 due to the amount of fabrication I do and the thickness it will cut. I would agree with the other posts above. Buy as good a machine as you can afford and make sure consumables are easy to get. If you can afford more later then upgrade when you can. I have used a lot of different brands and there is a difference in the high end machines, but reality is you can only get what you can afford. Good luck with whatever you buy and enjoy.

 

[bknbronco]

I would steer clear of any older units....if its bigger than a 12 pack of beer then forget it. I used a old hypertherm unit that had its own rooling cart....although it was huge and took two guys to lift it into the truck when I borrowed it....it warked flawless. Now I can go to my local welding shop and buy that same unit and lift if with two fingers.

Some units are capable of running 110V or 220V, which is great if you need to use it in some remote location or even just using it at a buddys garage who isn't set up for 220 like we are.

I would buy whatever my local welding shop (like Toll) sells...around here im sure that would be a hypertherm, miller, Hobart, maybe a Lincoln.

Plasma cutters are sweet and we been talking about getting one for 10 years. When I borred one I made circle templates that fit that particular cutter and I cut perfect holes about 3" in dia and I cut a lot of them in no time at all. Also that same day cut about 12 feet of aluminum diamond plate....the plasma cutter worked sweet! I been wondering if a plasma cutter would be easyer or better to use instead of a tubing notcher than uses the jig and hole saw and drill???

 

[Casey835]

Hypertherm powermax 30 and be done with it!!

 

[Letsgocrawling]

I have talked to the field mechanics at work about the miller spectrums the companys been buying, not sure what model it is, but has the dual voltage capability. Comes in a nice blue carrying tote, power is supplied bye the welder generator on the field truck---110 v. Not more than a 1/2 inch material is ever required to be cut, there very happy with the performance of the little unit. This is industrial use info, probaly pretty good. I'm thinking the cost is around 1,700. And I do Know the average Joe would pay alot less. I'm in the mining business---we always pay more, go figure.

 

[Tom Hartz]

Hypertherm powermax 30 and be done with it!!

This is what I have had for about 5 years now and it has been great. Not one problem.

 

[Hubba]

Hyrertherm is the way to go for me, consumables are available on E-bay and my local shop has them on the shelf all the time.

 

[Hubba]

Sorry, Hypertherm. I've had a few tonight.

 

[TwoDalesDad]

I will be blunt.....Thermal Dynamics are crappy.....Compared to Hyper Therm....WHICH IS WHAT I OWN.....DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY ON CHEAP TOOLS....YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.....MY HYPER THERM IS 10 YEARS OLD AND HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP....ONE TIME.....NO CHARGE.....GREAT TOOLS

 

[Hubba]

Don't sugar coat Dale, tell it like it is.

 

[bk005]

I have a cheap Northern Tools plasma. I like the little bastard, I normally buy higher end tools but with extended 3yr warranty I'll try it. Been a year so far, still kicking.

 

[broncorick]

Hypertherm--excellent cutter

 

[Casey835]

Don't think anyone has posted it yet but
Hypertherm powermax !!!

 

[mortimersnerd]

Thanks, guys. I've been considering a refurb Powermax 30 as well, but it's hard to rationalize the extra $200 when I'm already way outside the budget buying a $900 Cutmaster 42.

 

[357Bronco]

I have the Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52, and really like it. I found it on Cyberweld $600.00 less then what the local supplier had it. Also all the consumables are readily availible. You won't be dissapointed with either Thermal or Hypertherm.