Should I get a plasma cutter/will I use it

[Burt Shaver]

I seen a CUT50 plasma cutter for sale on marketplace for 150.00 CDN, It’s dual 110/220 volt. I would only have a 110 /15amp circuit to run it on so I guess the most I could cut with it is 1/4” ?
I don’t really have a use in my mind presently but it’s super cool. I currently do all my own repairs on our vehicles, kids vehicles, my ATV’s, snowmobiles and seadoo’s as well as all our own home maintenance and repairs. I will need to make some repairs to my dump trailer one of these years soon and I have an interest in doing some body work but have never done any. I have a Lincoln Mig Pak 40 welder that I use very occasionally but it is handy to have when I need it, I bought that used as well for a good price so I’m happy to have it. I was thinking for 150.00 the plasma cutter would be the same?
Do I need some type of gas for a plasma cutter?

 

[Crazyjake8493]

You need compressed air to run a plasma cutter, typically using a regular shop air compressor.

I've been wanting to get one, and I would definitely find uses for it once I have it. I've just been waiting until I really need it before I buy one so I don't let part of the warranty period go by while it sits in the box in the garage for too long.

I really could've used one in the past instead of burning through cutoff discs and jigsaw blades.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Do I need some type of gas for a plasma cutter?

You need compressed air and a lot of it. Check the specs on the tool for the requirements !

 

[Burt Shaver]

AI says 90 to 100 psi at 4.5cfm . I will need to go check my tiny shop compressor, it’s pretty small so I doubt it will do it, I’m positive the compressor I use for duct cleaning would though

 

[Burt Shaver]

Darn, I went back to it to message and it was sold

 

[PCustoms]

I have a Lincoln Mig Pak 40 welder that I use very occasionally

If you use the welder very occasionally, you'd probably use the plasma cutter about half as much, if that.

Probably for the best this one got away

 

[carlaisle]

For future reference, 115v will generally struggle to cut 1/4". It will do 3/16" fine. If you're not going to be increasing electrical service, a torch would be better suited to cutting.

 

[OccupantRJ]

I have a Thermal Arc Pak3xr that I bought cheap from friend and member Beyond1. Works fine. So far I have used it twice in ten years. I tend to do more repair and refurb work these days than fab work as I once did years ago.

 

[Burt Shaver]

Would a plasma cutter be the appropriate tool to cut out rusty pieces on my dump trailer? I can take some pics tomorrow

 

[whateg01]

A plasma cutter certainly could do that job. You may find that once you start cutting into it, by the time you get to good metal you've cut away 90% of the trailer. Btw, they do make or at least used to make plasma cutters with built-in compressors. As a plasma cutter, I don't think they were ever that great, but the convenience of not having a separate compressor I suppose does have some value. Of course a lot of those are older and not supported and probably hard to find parts for nowadays. I also think that you would struggle to run one of those off of a 15 amp 120 volt circuit even if they made them in 120 volt models.

 

[finn]

Would a plasma cutter be the appropriate tool to cut out rusty pieces on my dump trailer? I can take some pics tomorrow

Yup. Perfect application.

 

[jack stand]

They're not as cheap, but if you don't have an oxygen/acetelene rig in your shop for basic freeing or heating of parts along with the cutting abilities, I'd start there.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I've found they are great for demo work, also where having stored tanks is a problem. We can demo large boilers in place without oxy/act tanks which can't be stored in the building. Plus I uses the buildings power so that saves some$$$. In the field or the shop i use them alot, just size it accordingly.

 

[zimman]

Would a plasma cutter be the appropriate tool to cut out rusty pieces on my dump trailer? I can take some pics tomorrow

It'll spit and sputter (grounding is important) but it will work. I've done a few cars, including my Nova using a Miller.
Zim

 

[Bert_]

I got a 50A prime weld last December. I love it. It's hard to justify because you can do most of the same stuff with a cutoff wheel. But I don't use a cutoff wheel very much now.

I've cut 5/8 with mine. It wasn't super happy about it but it did it. 1/2" is no problem.

 

[djbmw]

Darn, I went back to it to message and it was sold

Im surprised it sold for that much!
They are $160 brand new from Amazon without a pilot arc... and $210 with a pilot arc.

If you use a cut off wheel often enough right now, your plasma will replace 80% of that work and will get the job done in a fraction of the time. Consumable cost is similar to a cut off wheel as well.

Longevity of a chinesium cut50 from amazon tends to be in the ~15 to 20 year range (or 250 hr-ish range) before components start becoming crispy.

 

[Burt Shaver]

got a 50A prime weld last December. I love it. It's hard to justify because you can do most of the same stuff with a cutoff wheel

In my mind I pictured the plasma cutter being able to cut inside bends where there are pillars and such easier than a cut off wheel, I also find the cut off wheels dangerous because they can explode. It’s never happened to me but it happened to a fellow I once worked with.

I've cut 5/8 with mine. It wasn't super happy about it but it did it. 1/2" is no problem

That’s 220v correct?

 

[Burt Shaver]

Im surprised it sold for that much!
They are $160 brand new from Amazon without a pilot arc

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07GB3T4KG?ref=cm_sw_r_cso_cp_mwn_dp_KATBJA65TP132C7535MT_1&ref_=cm_sw_r_cso_cp_mwn_dp_KATBJA65TP132C7535MT_1&social_share=cm_sw_r_cso_cp_mwn_dp_KATBJA65TP132C7535MT_1

The one I seen ion Amazon Canada was 289.00 plus tax.
The one in the ad looked brand new

 

[Bert_]

In my mind I pictured the plasma cutter being able to cut inside bends where there are pillars and such easier than a cut off wheel, I also find the cut off wheels dangerous because they can explode. It’s never happened to me but it happened to a fellow I once worked with.

That’s 220v correct?

It does everything easier and faster than a cutoff wheel. But it doesn't do a lot that you can't do with a cutoff wheel.

Mine is dual voltage just like what you are looking at.

120v is nice to be able to use it out somewhere on a regular extension cord. But if you are doing much cutting you will get tired of tripping the breaker.

If you're using it in the shop just wire a 240v plug

 

[zendriver]

Suggest not even getting hung up on one "brand". If they lunch most are throw away items, anyway.

have a 50A "Bestarc" that's about $30 less than I paid for one two years ago. I've used it a total of three times. Works great. If I were to wear it out i'd get another. If it unexpectedly quit, I'd get something else.

There are worse things to spend a couple of hundred on.

 

[PhantomEB]

I have the HeroCut Cut35i, my little compressor ain’t up to snuff but I can tell you when I upgrade the power to my garage over here in Medicine Hat Alberta, I plan to get another compressor like I had plus 20 amps down both sides of the shop. I very well could see myself getting the ArcCaptain 55 or even 65 plasma cutter. This ArcCaptain multiprocess was a game changer for me over my old Miller 175 MiG.

 

[Bert_]

I'm surprised at all the talk about not having enough air. I see some millwright guys running them with a pancake compressor. My 1.5hp has never struggled.

Maybe if it was on a CNC table doing constant cutting. Normal people will never have an issue

 

[willf650]

Would a plasma cutter be the appropriate tool to cut out rusty pieces on my dump trailer? I can take some pics tomorrow

I’m not a welder by any means but bought a cheap one similar to what you posted and used it for more or less that exact purpose.

I cut out frame sections on my jeep and welded in replacement sections on it. Have used my welder 3-4 more times since and the plasma cutter has sat on a shelf.

 

[neophyte]

You can cut 1/4” steel with a decent jigsaw.
The cuts would likely also be cleaner.

 

[Burt Shaver]

I’m not a welder by any means but bought a cheap one similar to what you posted and used it for more or less that exact purpose.

I cut out frame sections on my jeep and welded in replacement sections on it. Have used my welder 3-4 more times since and the plasma cutter has sat on a shelf.

You have it if you need it though