Anyone have a plasma cutter?

[dfkrug]

I have seen articles talking about cutmaster 51 and articles talking about cutmaster 52 what is the difference between these two machines

Maybe the Cutmaster 52 is the new model that replaces the 51. Have you
checked the Thermal Dynamics website?

 

[toy]

Maybe the Cutmaster 52 is the new model that replaces the 51. Have you
checked the Thermal Dynamics website?

I have looked on cyberweld and the local welding supply place one has a 51 and an81 and the other has a 52 and an 82 cutmasters. I was wondering if it was just a new model then is there any improvements to the machines that I should be aware of, and if it is two seperate machines then whats the difference. I will look at thermal dynamics site to see if I can get any more information. I would hate to buy one only to find out of an improvement or more capabilities for just a little more $. Thanks for answering my post. I got a Hobart Handler 210 mig about 6 months ago, was intending to get the iron man 210 but one of the posters on this forum answered an eariler post of mine and he told me how he liked his and the way he talked about it convinced me to save the money between the two machines. I haven't got to use it much other than I made a stove rake for my furnace and a platform to haul water on for my garden. I like it though just wished circumstances would allow me to get more use of it.

 

[dfkrug]

I got a Hobart Handler 210 mig about 6 months ago, was intending to get the iron man 210 but one of the posters on this forum answered an eariler post of mine and he told me how he liked his and the way he talked about it convinced me to save the money between the two machines.

I did not know there was a "Handler 210". I have the Ironman 210, and it
is great. The only issue I had with the CutMaster 51 is the rubber diaphragm
in the regulator went south, but the factory sent me an all new reg, no
questions asked.

 

[Willis Fecon Bushhogging]

I did not know there was a "Handler 210". I have the Ironman 210, and it
is great. The only issue I had with the CutMaster 51 is the rubber diaphragm
in the regulator went south, but the factory sent me an all new reg, no
questions asked.

I do have experience in this dept. My Miller Spectrum plasma finally quit (1990)
the torch head and cable was bad, Miller wanted $1000 for a new torch and cable, so I said no way. I found a new unit on Ebay for $500 that cuts 5/8", so I bought it. It was a aftermarket off brand type, got it hooked up and it worked about 30 seconds, now Im not happy I was too tight to buy what I really needed, so now Im down almost $600. I called the manufacture and they said ship it too us and we will check it out. When you get used to using a plasma, its hard not to have one. I went back to the welding shop and told them my story and the salesman made a call and found a generic torch and cable $350. I said a few choice words about the other sales person(of course I said it silently, to myself)
Bottom line, you get what you pay for, most of the time. By from your local welding shop, so they can support the machine and consumables. You may pay a few dollars more up front, but you will not be sorry. Buy a supported brand and dont buy too small Goodluck

 

[Dargo]

I know it's a bit different, but I currently have a Hypertherm Powermax 1250. I've cut up tons and tons of steel with it and have gone through about $20 in consumables. I do have two in-line dryers on my air supply to ensure clean and dry air. I used it to cut up a bunch of railroad track with it this spring. I thought for sure that I'd go through some tips doing that, but even after a couple dozen cuts through the old dirty track I am still using the same tip.

I never owned one, but I know two friends who bought the CE cutters from Horrible Freight and both took them back. I know both of them took classes together at a local tech college and used the colleges' Miller and Hypertherm cutters. Maybe that is why they were so displeased with the CE stuff? Either way, both guys said that they'd buy quality equipment or do without. As I'm told, a O/A torch is far less expensive and does a far better job than the cheap ones. Based on that, unless I just had to cut up some stainless, I'd stick with a torch rather than go with a setup that isn't so good.

 

[POC]

I got one off of ebay, it is a chinese one. It is a TIG/plasma/AC stick. The whole thing cost me about $800. I got a foot feed too for that price. I don't remember the name of the place I got it from, but it has worked fairly well.

 

[Reg]

There is a point at which flame cutting is "better"; a cleaner cut, more economic, etc.
I don't remember, but it may be over 1 inch thickness on steel - might be 1 1/4.
Point is, check into that before you invest in more plasma cutting power than you can use, i.e. cut with oxy/acety above that thickness - whatever that is.