Plasma Cutter recommendations.

[BufordBoone]

In learning to weld, I've acquired a bit of scrap metal to practice on.

Tip: Ask to pick thru the scrap pile at a local fabricator. After all, you'll be bringing it back heavier than when you took it. If they are hesitant, offer to pay twice the scrap rate (about .08/lb here). LOTS cheaper than purchasing at HD or Lowes.

I have been cutting the scrap up with a cutoff wheel on an angle grinder. I'm quickly learning that cutting metal is every bit as important as sticking it together.

I'm considering a Plasma cutter and looking for any recommendations from this board.

Any words of wisdom, brands/models to look at?

I'm not wanting a comparison of plasma cutter to O/A torch. One of those will be in my future as well but I don't want to deal with the gas bottles just yet.

Thanks!

 

[yomax4]

Hypertherm and Thermal Dynamics Victor engineer and build their own torches and are far superior to anything else out there. Either are great. Or study up on less cost brands and look for more modern Hypertherm 45 front end parts. My :2cents:

 

[tomplum]

My Hypertherm 45 does whatever I ask it to, when I want it to. Cut, gouge, expanded metal setting. Have cut 5/8 plate. Much happier with that than my old Lincoln.

 

[rangerfredbob]

Those name brands will treat you well, if you are on the cheaper end I have one of the Harbor Freight inverter plasma cutters (not the Titanium one, just the Chicago Electric) and it is treating me well so far, but I've only had it a couple months, it's far superior to the Ramsond one I tried to cheap out and get the first time...

 

[dragoneggs]

I think this depends on the amount of expected usage and the max thickness you will be tackling. I did my research... tried a few first hand. I went with the Hypertherm 45xp. Yep paid a premium but it has worked beautifully. Overkill for many I am sure with occasional use and up to 1/4in requirements. At this stage of my life, I like buying tools that I will not max out and will hopefully outlast me.

BTW... thanks to yomax encouraging me to visit the Fabtech show a few years back. That show was an eye opener and a great place to learn what is out there in the fabrication world. BTW... this is where I got my chance to play with the Hypertherm and chat with Jim Colt and team. After playing with them I decided on the power of the 45XP vs 30XP.

 

[spitter]

Hypertherm . A plasma is a big investment just for cutting up scrap. I do a fair amount of fab work and I stillcan't justify spending the money on a plasma .:drink:

 

[TractorGuy]

I bought a Colossal Tech Cut 50F with pilot arc off eBay that I am pleased with. It is 240V only. I didn't have a 240V outlet handy so I run it off my 10KW diesel generator. At full power it draws 26 amps and the output reads 54 amps. Don't have a bunch of time with it yet but what I've done seems it will do what I need. Only cut up to 1/4" so far. All my cutting has been 3/16" to 1/4" stuff. I set the amps to full and the air pressure to around 60 psi. Only had to change the tip consumables one time.

This was my first long cut on a 1/4" angle I cut one leg off of. The slag chipped right off with a hammer.

 

[BufordBoone]

That Hypertherm certainly looks to be a good machine. It looks to be 2-3x more expensive than some of the other options. Probably be the way I'd go if I was a serious fabricator or pro.

I'm learning to weld because I've always wanted to do it and because I now have occasional need to do it. Much of my farm equipment is older and occasionally needs repairing. I recently did one repair where buying the welding machine cost me less than paying a welder to do it. Repair done AND I have a welding machine! Next repair is free!

I mentioned cutting up scrap for practice. That, alone, would not be enough for me to spend the money on a plasma cutter. There have been a couple of actual repairs I needed to get done and cutting the steel took much longer than anticipated with the angle grinder and the results were not what I wanted (straight? does the cut really have to be straight?).

Thanks for all the wisdom.

 

[BufordBoone]

I've done a bit of research and the following questions come to mind:

What is "Gouging"? Is that like digging some metal out without going all the way thru?

Most videos I see show plasma cutters starting at the edge of a piece of steel. Is it possible to start in the middle? Is that what is meant by "Piercing ability"?

 

[Industrial Toys]

I like to learn to weld and cut while watching TV. Or sometimes a little during my morning coffee.




In truth, I think I have used my Hypertherm to best advantage in cutting scrap or equipment apart. Trying to make some really nice cuts, not so much. Well except on scrap! lol

 

[Big Barn]

I don’t own a Hypertherm but it would be my first choice.

 

[newbury]

As primarily an observer a Hypertherm would be MY first choice but my wallet would go for Everlast.

 

[dragoneggs]

I've done a bit of research and the following questions come to mind:

What is "Gouging"? Is that like digging some metal out without going all the way thru?

Most videos I see show plasma cutters starting at the edge of a piece of steel. Is it possible to start in the middle? Is that what is meant by "Piercing ability"?

Yes gouging is like carving. Handy method to remove welds in trying to disassemble without losing too much of the structure.

Piercing is just that... A method where you start the cut other than on an edge.

 

[johncanfield]

Hypertherm 45! I started with a Northern Tool (forgot who the manufacturer was) plasma torch, sold it and bought the best. I've had it for three or four years and still 100% satisfied.

 

[ovrszd]

I think it's only fair to include price on any suggestions to someone new.

I have a Miller 625 Extreme. I paid somewhere around $1250 for it. It will cut up to 1/2". Will cut 1/4" and thinner very well. Well supported brand.

 

[Industrial Toys]

No offense, but why would a company like MILLER, go with such childish/trending names? As ridiculous as the NASCAR stickers on my LINCOLN MIG!

I talked with a guy that fixes all makes of welder and cutters. Says the quality is just going down hill. Electronics instead of heavy transformers. Maybe it's the same trend as small tractors. It's gone to a consumer , non industrial/tradesman market.

 

[downsizingnow48]

I've had the Hypertherm 45 for some years now. Works fine. I wanted a no-excuses solution where I would know any shortcomings were my problem not the machine.

 

[camshawn]

I have a thermal dynamic cut master 52. It was worth the extra $$ over a 42 for the piece of mind that I will be somewhat future proof. I can get consumables close by at the local tool store on the weekends or one of several welding supply houses. I looked at theEverlast products but any warranty work would require shipping the unit across Canada. One warranty repair would be more $$ than the cost savings. Cam

 

[yomax4]

I think that many of the plasma power supplies are good. The weak link is always the torches. Most are copies of 1980's torches which is very old technology. One of my plasma's was sent to me by a top of the line manufacturer in China called WTL. The power supply is top notch and it was built to spec with the Hypertherm 45XP. You pick metal thickness and it sets amps for you. Has built in automation interface and many other things I won't get into just now. So what is the weak link? It uses an Italian torch called Tec-Mo. Actually it offers 2 torch options for hand cutting. One uses cheap Trafimet parts and the other uses Hypertherm 45 after market parts. They sent me both torches which are constructed poorly. What I noticed was the machine had at least 20 amps more power using the Hypertherm designed torch components. So when you buy a Hypertherm or Thermal Dynamics you get to pay a little more but you get state of the art torches and consumables. 99% of the off brand plasma systems are using 35 year old parts. They are inexpensive though. For some, HF welders are fine and cheap plasma cutters are too. Just get the best one you can sneak into the budget.

 

[johncanfield]

..... 99% of the off brand plasma systems are using 35 year old parts. They are inexpensive though. For some, HF welders are fine and cheap plasma cutters are too. Just get the best one you can sneak into the budget.

Bingo! I always try to buy commercial quality stuff - much cheaper in the long run.