Plasma Cutter recommendations.

[dragoneggs]

What is that? Something you purchased??


This is what I use......

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I just use a chisel, holding it like a dagger, and do it by hand. No hammering needed. Comes off pretty easy and it is gratifying!



Just finished this evening between rains, cutting up a 2ft by 4ft 1/4in thick piece of steel outside using my HF folding welding table using my plasma cutter and dragging. I use an aluminum straight edge that I offset exactly 1/4in to get net cuts with the 45XP drag tip.



The leads are long enough so I can wheel my welding cart near the door keeping it inside and keeping the metal dust outside.

 

[Big Barn]

I just use a chisel, holding it like a dagger, and do it by hand. No hammering needed. Comes off pretty easy and it is gratifying!

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.

I’m surprised you didn’t turn a nice wooden handle for it.

 

[dragoneggs]

I’m surprised you didn’t turn a nice wooden handle for it.

Okay I like it... ya know that is about the only thing I use that chisel for and in fact it resides in my welding cart. I will add it to the proyect list!

 

[Smokeydog]

Used a portable welding table for years before building a cutting table. 911motorsports top, wash tub, homemade stand. 8” threaded feet adjusts height if needed. Cutting over water dustless and nearly smokeless. Without water contains dust. Helps to keep me and the shop cleaner.

 

[Big Barn]

I made a cutting table several years back. I’m certainly glad I did. Makes life way easier.

 

[BufordBoone]

I made a cutting table several years back. I’m certainly glad I did. Makes life way easier.

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No shortage of drill presses there!

 

[Underdog57]

No shortage of drill presses there!

Yeah, that's what made me chuckle! :laughing:

Big Barns Shop is what we all dream about! :drink:

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Less expensive plasma cutters tend to have more electrical interference. This is only a problem if you ever want to get a plasma cutting table. If you do want a plasma cutter with the opportunity to plug into a computer-controlled plasma table, then you want one with a computer control port. Cutters with the computer port tend to have better EMF shielding, better, quieter inverters. Hypertherm is pretty much the go-to for computer control and has less expensive consumables. That said, other manufacturers can use Hypertherm consumables, and doing so is a feature in my mind. I have a Razerweld RazerCut 45, which uses Hypertherm consumables and came with my computer-controlled plasma table as part of the package.

 

[Smokeydog]

I mistakenly bought some hypertherm like consumables from eBay for 1/2 price. Looked and packaged like OEM. They last <1/2 long, no bargain there. Don’t get fooled like me.

Dry air is necessary for long consumable life and performance no matter what brand you decide. Regularly drain your air tank. Have water separator at tank. Have large coalescing filter before plasma cutter. Plasma cutter has its own self-draining coalescing filter internally.

When cleaning/replacing torch internal torch parts use tech wipes. 90% alcohol leaves no residue. Have to wear nitrile gloves as these will strip oil out of your skin. Hope I’m doing enough and have good consumable life.

 

[Ortimber]

Another vote here for a Hypertherm 45. Out of the 4 I’ve owned, it’s been the best.

 

[yomax4]

I've only owned Miller (2), Hypertherm(4), ESAB (4), WTL (1), Victor Thermal Dynamics (5). Most were free. The only one that let me down was the Hypertherm 45. 20 days out of the 3 year warranty and Hypertherm laughed at me for asking for help when it let it's smoke out.. I'm not saying Hyp's are bad at all. Just saying. Pay attention to warranty duration especially if you are an infrequent user. 3 years goes by pretty fast.

 

[BufordBoone]

Thanks, to all, for the info. I have made my decision and purchased:

Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 40.

Much of my decision was based on research but a similar influence was yomax4. He gave me a lot of good info. Thanks, Yomax4!

In the search I was somewhat surprised (dissapointed) at the lack of interest some showed. There were those that promised to call back with a quote...but didn't. Certainly makes me think "If they won't call back to sell me a machine, there is little chance they would call back if I had an issue".

I also have decided that welding is a lot like hunting. There are many in Alabama that immediately think of .300 Weatherby mag when they consider the most appropriate cartridge for hunting whitetails.

 

[dragoneggs]

In the search I was somewhat surprised (dissapointed) at the lack of interest some showed. There were those that promised to call back with a quote...but didn't. Certainly makes me think "If they won't call back to sell me a machine, there is little chance they would call back if I had an issue".

An excellent way to think about dealer selection.

Congrats on your purchase. I'm sure you will enjoy it. Plasma cutting is fun!

 

[Big Barn]

In the search I was somewhat surprised (dissapointed) at the lack of interest some showed. There were those that promised to call back with a quote...but didn't. Certainly makes me think "If they won't call back to sell me a machine, there is little chance they would call back if I had an issue".

Good way of thinking

 

[Big Barn]

An excellent way to think about dealer selection.

!

Good thought about thinking.

We must have been typing at the same time

 

[BufordBoone]

First use of the plasma cutter today. First use of a plasma cutter, ever, for me.

Very impressed with what I'll be able to do. Very happy with my selection.

I made up a small stand to hold a couple of air filters (Std. Lowes as primary, Motorguard as final). That keeps the whole system portable.

This is really going to open up possibilities for me.

Thanks, to all but especially yomax4, for the help.

 

[Joe Millar]

Hi I couldn't find any better value than the Everlast 82i Here from the Canadian dealer they are $1375 Canadian .
That is a good price for an 80 amp plasma. The iPT 80 torch will cut 1" plate and the consumables are cheap to buy on e bay
The one thing I don't like A 3 year warranty for Canada Compared to 5 year in the US A good investment for the farm shop.

 

[Joe Millar]

Hi, The best value I could find for a Plasma was the Everlast 82i Sold by the Canadian dealer for
$1375 Canadian. That is a good price for an 80 amp plasma. The iPT 80 torch will cut 1" steel plate
and the consumables are cheap to buy on e bay The only thing I don't like the 3 year warranty Here in
Canada Compared to 5 years in the US Probably never need it anyway!
A good investment for the farm shop.