Trying to decide on a plasma cutter, do not have over 1,000.00 for a miller(wish i did) only have 400-500 to spend on one. It will be for occasional use not everyday working with mostly 3/16 maybe 1/4 thickness. I have seen some on e-bay for 375.00-to 450.00. Does anyone have any experience with any of these chinese brands?, say lotus,rstar, or ofcourse the harbor freight brand?. And can you get the consummables for them?, thanks for any input.
plasma cutter buying
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yomax4
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You may better off to call all of the welding supply distributors in your area to see if they have any used Plasmas. You would be in better hands with a used brand name unit that can be repaired and or have available parts.
J
JCB
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Randy,
I'm pretty sure you've priced yourself exclusively into the used market.
I have a Thermal Dynamics 38. I don't remember the price, but I don't think it was well over $1000. I can't imagine being remotely happy with anything less for even occasional use.
The machine is so slow to cut 3/8 that it is impractical even for "occasional use", and TD has about as good of a duty cycle as anything out there. Duty cycle may not seem like much, but once you have a smaller machine it means everything.
1/4" is very slow and 1/8" is still fairly slow but really all that can be reasonably cut. Just be aware that with most plasma cutters the printed specs are gonna be laughably optimistic and you'll really want a size bigger than you think.
I don't have first hand experience with off brands, but really suspect that the discount brands in this price range are really for 16ga on down.
Hope that helps!
Joe
You really don't want to think you got a deal and then be disappointed.
I'm pretty sure you've priced yourself exclusively into the used market.
I have a Thermal Dynamics 38. I don't remember the price, but I don't think it was well over $1000. I can't imagine being remotely happy with anything less for even occasional use.
The machine is so slow to cut 3/8 that it is impractical even for "occasional use", and TD has about as good of a duty cycle as anything out there. Duty cycle may not seem like much, but once you have a smaller machine it means everything.
1/4" is very slow and 1/8" is still fairly slow but really all that can be reasonably cut. Just be aware that with most plasma cutters the printed specs are gonna be laughably optimistic and you'll really want a size bigger than you think.
I don't have first hand experience with off brands, but really suspect that the discount brands in this price range are really for 16ga on down.
Hope that helps!
Joe
You really don't want to think you got a deal and then be disappointed.
paulinkansas
Member
Randy, I was in the same situation as you a couple of months ago. I opted for an oxy/acetalyne setup. It'll cut, heat, weld and braze. The plasma can only cut. In the last 4 months I've used the O/A to cut a tractor drawbar, heat up 1/4" flat stock hot enough so that I could bend it around a metal tube, braze a gear that goes around the flywheel of a lawnmower engine, heat up the previously mentioned gear so that it would go back on the flywheel, heat up lawnmower decks and linkages to straighten them out, heat up roll pins in order to extract them. In other words, the O/A is about 10x more useful than a plasma cutter.
2manyrocks
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If it's thin sheet metal being cut, there are reasons for the plasma cutter. If it's thicker stock and the cut isn't so important, then O/A shouldn't be overlooked.
This is the only welder I own now and it does everything. And I can take to the field and use it. I would pay double for this. Lots of demos on the web site.
DHC 2000 Welding and Cutting Torch $369 shipped 803.429.2545
DHC 2000 Welding and Cutting Torch $369 shipped 803.429.2545
i'm never one to discount a lower priced item as being lower quality without proof, so i'd say to do what you are currently doing - look for anyone who has experience with them, and try to get a feel for both them and their experience with the unit. look for an analytical response. generally i don't put a lot of faith into responses form people who say things like "total crap". people that say things like: "it did this, but didnt do this" or "i couldn't get it to do this" are generally a better source of information.
i'm sure there's got to be some differences between the el cheapo tools and the name brand ones, but i don't think the cheap ones are totally bad. let's face it, if they fell apart when you looked at them, they wouldn't even try to bother to sell them after a while. they would spend more in legal fees and lost time to make it worth their while. i'm sure they will work for some people and certain applications, but you just have to figure out whether they fit your needs.
i'm sure there's got to be some differences between the el cheapo tools and the name brand ones, but i don't think the cheap ones are totally bad. let's face it, if they fell apart when you looked at them, they wouldn't even try to bother to sell them after a while. they would spend more in legal fees and lost time to make it worth their while. i'm sure they will work for some people and certain applications, but you just have to figure out whether they fit your needs.
smfcpacfp
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I have been seriously looking at buying one of these. How long have you had it?
yomax4
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A Torch set is Great, I sell them. But ,,you can get one for next to nothing and yes they do a lot as long as you are working on Steel. If you don't work with Stainless, Aluminum, Rust, Grease, Paint, Galvanised or Cast.. They are priceless...:thumbsup:
RPW
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Well
not to start (or continue) another brand bashing thread but....being in the same boat as you on amount I could spend on a plasma cutter I went ahead and purchased a HF a few years ago. It's a 40amp and I've cut up to 1/4" without any problems 3/8 it struggles and I'll switch to O/A. As long as you have clean dry air it works pretty good. I also only cut on occasion. For a commercial business I'd pass but for the hobbiest it works fine. If I had the money I'd go for a Miller etc. I've cut long lengths until the unit over-temped but letting it cool it would start right back up. Consumables are plentiful and not very expensive. Cuts are clean (again as long as air is clean and dry). Warranty is decent.
Good luck.
not to start (or continue) another brand bashing thread but....being in the same boat as you on amount I could spend on a plasma cutter I went ahead and purchased a HF a few years ago. It's a 40amp and I've cut up to 1/4" without any problems 3/8 it struggles and I'll switch to O/A. As long as you have clean dry air it works pretty good. I also only cut on occasion. For a commercial business I'd pass but for the hobbiest it works fine. If I had the money I'd go for a Miller etc. I've cut long lengths until the unit over-temped but letting it cool it would start right back up. Consumables are plentiful and not very expensive. Cuts are clean (again as long as air is clean and dry). Warranty is decent.Good luck.
Had it about 10 years, I have welded sheet metal(lots), steel up to 3/8", alum., and a little stainless. I haven't tried cast yet, they show cast being welded on there website. It cuts as good as the plasma cutters I have used(maybe better). Uses almost no gas.
Plus+++
$500-$600 buys torch, gauge set and tanks.(depends on how much your local dealer charges for tanks).
Portable can take to the field.
With a little practice it will replace a Tig, Mig, Stick, and plasma cutter.($$$$$$$$$$$)
Tanks last forever, uses very low pressure.
Minus----
Not as fast as a stick or mig or at least I am not as fast.
Have to change tips around to cut, not as fast as throwing a switch on a plasma cutter, but with the money I saved I don't mind. Plus that plasma cutter won't do you anygood in the middle of nowhere. Where my torch will go anywhere.
I would say if you have a LOT of fab work to do nothing will be faster or easier than a mig or even a stick if you are welding dirty. Most of the stuff I do is repairs and small fab jobs and I can do as good a job with the Henrob as anything I have ever used and only have the one piece of equipment to buy and take up space.
One shortcoming of any torch(imho) is the heat needed. I welded a 3/8 plate to my bucket on the loader, for a receiver hitch. The bucket is big and draws a lot of heat it took a little longer to get a good puddle but it worked just fine just not as quick as a mig.
On the same note I had a tork screw on a motorcycle that the mechanic used a allen wrench on and stripped the head out
, it was surrounded by a plastic piece. I would have liked a mig to tack another bolt to head of screw that was messed up but my torch couldn't be used because it would of melted the plastic. Just had to figure another way.Overall the Henrob has never failed to surprise and impress me with what it will do. As I said above I would pay double for this tool.
Hope this helps.
You might also want to check out the Parker plasma cutters. They get good reviews on the 4x4 forums. They have a 50A model for $500. As far as I can tell, these are Chinese machines that Parker imports, upgrades, fine tunes and re-packages. The end result is an inexpensive machine that can pretty much go head to head with the more expensive ones:
http://www.parkermetalworking.com/
http://www.parkermetalworking.com/
Gale Hawkins
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This sounds awesome. I now see you have had it 10 years.
Gale Hawkins
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Well
Good luck.
The HF 40 amp is made in Italy and is rated highly in its class. I think HF sold some 30 and 36 amp China cutters that worked well on butter. From my reading Italy is a big source of welding/cutting equipment for all of Europe.
Can plasma cutters be used to weld, braze and other things like O/A?
RPW
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No plasma is cutting only. However you can cut anything that will conduct electricity. O/A is great on the thicker pieces but for sheet plasma doesn't warp the metal as much and is faster.
Gale Hawkins
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Thanks. Plasma Cutters is a new term to me from just a couple months ago. The Henrob 2000 O/A cutter mentioned above is interesting to reduce warpping. To me it seems just to be a smaller pin point torch.
Was looking at tanks and they are NOT cheap. TSC will exchange if you "own" your own tanks and they pass their standards. Their late hours and weekends would be a plus for me if I went the O/A route.
no matter what you get, i think you will find that it doesn't do everything. after you get whatever you decide on, you'll probably soon find yourself in a situation where you need a different piece of equipment. buy a stick welder, you'll find yourself needing to weld sheet metal and wish you had a wire feeder. buy a plasma cutter and you'll find yourself needing to heat up rusted parts to remove them and wish you had torches.
no matter how one tool is hyped up, it will never do it all, but the good thing is that we aren't limited to choosing just one. i'd say buy whatever will do the job at hand and whatever you see on the near horizon, but do your homework and buy as good a product as you find financially practical, and try for as good of a deal as you can get. then next year, or next project, or whenever, get whatever tool is needed then.
most all of these tools are pretty much good for your lifetime, or at least 20+ years, so it's not like you will need to replace a $1000+ tool very often, if ever.
no matter how one tool is hyped up, it will never do it all, but the good thing is that we aren't limited to choosing just one. i'd say buy whatever will do the job at hand and whatever you see on the near horizon, but do your homework and buy as good a product as you find financially practical, and try for as good of a deal as you can get. then next year, or next project, or whenever, get whatever tool is needed then.
most all of these tools are pretty much good for your lifetime, or at least 20+ years, so it's not like you will need to replace a $1000+ tool very often, if ever.
jimcolt
Gold Member
The prevalent brand for plasma cutters is Hypertherm...they are American designed and built (New Hampshire), and pretty much have market share worldwide for both hand and industrial plasma cutters from 12 Amps to 1000 Amps for cutting up to 6" thick stainless. Hypertherm produces the torches on Miller plasma machines.
I have a Hypertherm Powermax30 and a Powermax45 in my home shop, I use the 30 for most hand cutting applications up to 3/8", occasionally severing a piece of 1/2".....it runs on 120 vac and 65 psi at 4.5 cfm of compressed air. You can find these unit new for under $1000, however used units often can be found on Craigslist for much less. My Powermax45 can be used with either a hand torch or a machine torch (I have a 4 x 4 cnc plasma machine), and can pierce up to 1/2" and sever to about 1-1/4".
To find plasmas in the $500 range.....the choices are new Chinese units with questionable service and support and reliability.....or to look for a name brand industrial quaility unit used on ebay or Craigslist. Look for Hypertherm, Thermal Dynamics or Miller brands for longer lasting, serviceable tools that will be supported for many years.
Jim
I have a Hypertherm Powermax30 and a Powermax45 in my home shop, I use the 30 for most hand cutting applications up to 3/8", occasionally severing a piece of 1/2".....it runs on 120 vac and 65 psi at 4.5 cfm of compressed air. You can find these unit new for under $1000, however used units often can be found on Craigslist for much less. My Powermax45 can be used with either a hand torch or a machine torch (I have a 4 x 4 cnc plasma machine), and can pierce up to 1/2" and sever to about 1-1/4".
To find plasmas in the $500 range.....the choices are new Chinese units with questionable service and support and reliability.....or to look for a name brand industrial quaility unit used on ebay or Craigslist. Look for Hypertherm, Thermal Dynamics or Miller brands for longer lasting, serviceable tools that will be supported for many years.
Jim
Brad_Blazer
Veteran Member
I'm not making a recommendation but if you want to go the import route check out Welding Web: WeldingWeb™ - Welding forum for pros and enthusiasts - Powered by vBulletin
There are a few contributing suppliers that regularly post specials for members. Their deals and selection seem better than ebay or HF.
There are a few contributing suppliers that regularly post specials for members. Their deals and selection seem better than ebay or HF.
FredH
Platinum Member
Will only reply to what I know and what I have " Actually Used " . I have a Lotus 50 amp model . Had it for over a year with no problems . Have cut as small as 1/8" to as thick as 1/2" plate . They rate it at 17" per minute for 1/2" and I would have to say it is darn close if not slightly faster .
Bought a whole big lot of consumables at same time and based upon the consumables I have used in past year , I am thinking I have enough of those to last another 36 to 38 years , which would put me close to 90 , so I am thinking I wont be in need of any of those anytime soon . For consumables and cutter came to $410 including shipping .
Thing about consumables is proper usage . Clean air , clean power and there again that can also be said of plasma cutters in general . Take a Name brand cutter and put in the hands of someone with no experience and they think it is garbage rather than their technique . Or take a off brand unit put it in the hands of a experienced operator but with questionable power or dirty air and they think it is garbage .
Myself , I do not form opinions on anything unless I have actually used that specific item . People mentioned Harbor Freight , I have lots of their power tools around here as does my brother in his farm shop . We have used them everyday , sometimes to the point of abusive , still using them and will continue to keep buying them .
A Story about name Brand versus Off Brand and what it did to me in regards to my opinion about Name Brand . Had a 1/2" ratchet name brand that started skipping when tightening . Lifetime warranty . Took it back for replacement , rather than Replace they attempted to REPAIR it , although warranty says Replace . Basically had to take it back 3 times over the coarse of a Friday and Saturday . After going home the 3rd time and have the ratchet fail after 1/2 hour of usage , I went to Harbor Freight and bought a 1/2" ratchet . Over the coarse of the last 12+ years , I have had to Replace that ratchet twice . Once when it started skipping on tightening and the second time was when the selector lever came off . Both times was handed a replacement without question nor hassle .
I can write a book on similar instances of name brand over-priced items that i have purchased or used ( borrowed ) , that in my opinion , were not worth the cardboard box they were sold in . Not saying the Harbor Freight sells perfect items either . Their cordless drill lacked power and would not hold a charge even with a new battery yet my Craftsman cordless drill and companion impact driver can sit there for 2 months with a full charge and work all day long when I pick them up .
Me , I just don't get caught up in name brand hype anymore with anything . Rustler jeans , 1/3 the price of Levi's yet last just as long , maybe longer and fit better .
Fred H.
Bought a whole big lot of consumables at same time and based upon the consumables I have used in past year , I am thinking I have enough of those to last another 36 to 38 years , which would put me close to 90 , so I am thinking I wont be in need of any of those anytime soon . For consumables and cutter came to $410 including shipping .
Thing about consumables is proper usage . Clean air , clean power and there again that can also be said of plasma cutters in general . Take a Name brand cutter and put in the hands of someone with no experience and they think it is garbage rather than their technique . Or take a off brand unit put it in the hands of a experienced operator but with questionable power or dirty air and they think it is garbage .
Myself , I do not form opinions on anything unless I have actually used that specific item . People mentioned Harbor Freight , I have lots of their power tools around here as does my brother in his farm shop . We have used them everyday , sometimes to the point of abusive , still using them and will continue to keep buying them .
A Story about name Brand versus Off Brand and what it did to me in regards to my opinion about Name Brand . Had a 1/2" ratchet name brand that started skipping when tightening . Lifetime warranty . Took it back for replacement , rather than Replace they attempted to REPAIR it , although warranty says Replace . Basically had to take it back 3 times over the coarse of a Friday and Saturday . After going home the 3rd time and have the ratchet fail after 1/2 hour of usage , I went to Harbor Freight and bought a 1/2" ratchet . Over the coarse of the last 12+ years , I have had to Replace that ratchet twice . Once when it started skipping on tightening and the second time was when the selector lever came off . Both times was handed a replacement without question nor hassle .
I can write a book on similar instances of name brand over-priced items that i have purchased or used ( borrowed ) , that in my opinion , were not worth the cardboard box they were sold in . Not saying the Harbor Freight sells perfect items either . Their cordless drill lacked power and would not hold a charge even with a new battery yet my Craftsman cordless drill and companion impact driver can sit there for 2 months with a full charge and work all day long when I pick them up .
Me , I just don't get caught up in name brand hype anymore with anything . Rustler jeans , 1/3 the price of Levi's yet last just as long , maybe longer and fit better .
Fred H.
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