Convince me I need a plasma cutter

[Tunajoe]

I have the opportunity to pick up a Miller plasma cutter spectrum 375 extreme for a good price.
I just recently purchased a Miller 211 MIG welder and am new to welding.

Other than cutting metal (I do have a oxy acetylene torch and rarely use it)
What would I use this for?
Any thing unique I could use the plasma for that I can't use my other torch for?

Thanks for any insight or direction.....

 

[rhuff86]

Plasma cutters are invaluable in fabricating almost anything. You can make a cleaner cut than with a torch. But where it really shines is on thin material. There is much less heat distortion of the metal and a narrower kerf width allowing you to make clean cuts in body panels, and the like. A lot of people also use them for making metal art pieces because you can make nice detailed cuts.

 

[DeadSock]

Stainless steel and aluminum cuts

 

[innealtoir]

Smaller kerf width, ability to cut nonferrous metals, no running out of gas, and you are probably going to need to look into a cnc plasma table to *really* make the experience more enjoyable!

 

[Doug Arthurs]

I have a big plasma it will actually cut up to 3/4". Hardly ever use it to smokey and messy. I also seem to have a hard time making nice cuts they are often not all that straight and smooth. Mine is a hypertherm 1100. Probably just me but I wouldn't mind selling it.

 

[Farmall450]

Stainless steel and aluminum cuts

Exactly!

 

[arms1970]

Can't cut stainless with a torch, can't cut cast iron with a torch. I should read all the replies before I reply. LOL

 

[sberry]

So much cleaner and cheaper to operate than a torch, reduced warpage and a couple other things you will find out once you get one.

 

[Tunajoe]

Thanks guys!

GarageJournal is going to make me broke!

 

[KPSquared]

If you need us to tell you a reason, you may not need one. . .

I can give you a bunch of reasons why I would want one however. . .

 

[Plombob]

Garage Journal members do not ask such questions, grasshopper. We ask: what features, and accessories we should get with our new tool.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Problem with a plasma cutter is you must have a supply of clean, dry, compressed air. You will need an adequate air compressor, and the electrical capacity to run both the compressor and the plasma cutter at the same time.

The clean, dry air must be extremely clean and dry, and will probably require more than the usual water separator and filter.

Other than that, everyone says its better than sliced bread. (no, I don't own a plasma cutter, but keep reading about them on here and elsewhere.)

Charles

 

[KPSquared]

Garage Journal members do not ask such questions, grasshopper. We ask: what features, and accessories we should get with our new tool.

Exactly!

The original post should have read:

"I'm buying a plasma cutter and there's nothing you can do to stop me. What do I need to make sure I buy with it so I can start using it the second I get home?"

THAT'S the Garage Journal way. . .

 

[Charles (in GA)]

This thread should be titled, "How do we convince GJ Member 1/2 Cup (down in Oz) to buy a plasma cutter"

ref. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=224963

Charles

 

[Tunajoe]

Exactly!

The original post should have read:

"I'm buying a plasma cutter and there's nothing you can do to stop me. What do I need to make sure I buy with it so I can start using it the second I get home?"

THAT'S the Garage Journal way. . .

Gentlemen, I stand corrected.

 

[bcradio]

Problem with a plasma cutter is you must have a supply of clean, dry, compressed air. You will need an adequate air compressor, and the electrical capacity to run both the compressor and the plasma cutter at the same time.

The clean, dry air must be extremely clean and dry, and will probably require more than the usual water separator and filter.

Other than that, everyone says its better than sliced bread. (no, I don't own a plasma cutter, but keep reading about them on here and elsewhere.)

Charles

See and I have seen quite the opposite to this... most people I have seen run no filter or dryer (just straight air) to their plasma with no problems. Clean/dry air is ideal, but far from an absolute necessity from what I've seen. You just get slightly shorter consumable life.

As for plasma's, I'd get Hypertherm over Miller as the Miller torches are made by Hypertherm, but are the previous generation. So unless it's a killer deal (i.e. used pricing) then I'd stick with the Hypertherm 30.

 

[K13]

Problem with a plasma cutter is you must have a supply of clean, dry, compressed air. You will need an adequate air compressor, and the electrical capacity to run both the compressor and the plasma cutter at the same time.

The clean, dry air must be extremely clean and dry, and will probably require more than the usual water separator and filter.

Other than that, everyone says its better than sliced bread. (no, I don't own a plasma cutter, but keep reading about them on here and elsewhere.)

Charles

Regular filter works fine for me.

 

[R.Anderson]

Regular filter works fine for me.

Same here.

How about cheaper (maybe wrong on this one), faster, cleaner, easier, no need for tank refills, and no worries about an oxy acetylene explosion/fire.

 

[Jbullfrog]

If you can get it for less than $200 do it, otherwise get a Hypertherm. The 375 has an $800 circuit board that is known to go ****. If you know how to use a torch, you deserve a better plasma than a 375. It is a sheet metal cutter, but the consumables don't like stainless or aluminum. The HT torch is way easier to cut with and can be used to shave a surface smooth.

 

[HighwayTrout]

Got this the other day. Still haven't hooked it up yet. Can't wait.




image by HighwayTrout, on Flickr

 

[nicksnothereman]

I have the opportunity to pick up a Miller plasma cutter spectrum 375 extreme for a good price.
I just recently purchased a Miller 211 MIG welder and am new to welding.

Other than cutting metal (I do have a oxy acetylene torch and rarely use it)
What would I use this for?
Any thing unique I could use the plasma for that I can't use my other torch for?

Thanks for any insight or direction.....

Good for exhaust work. If you don't really do a whole lot of it. Then probably okay to just use what you got.

 

[Tunajoe]

If you can get it for less than $200 do it, otherwise get a Hypertherm. The 375 has an $800 circuit board that is known to go ****. If you know how to use a torch, you deserve a better plasma than a 375. It is a sheet metal cutter, but the consumables don't like stainless or aluminum. The HT torch is way easier to cut with and can be used to shave a surface smooth.

The price was $900 bucks. So maybe it's not such a deal....
I looked on Cyberweld and the were almost 1300 bucks new.

Air is no problem. I have a nice IR 80 gallon , 7.5 hp vertical compressor.

 

[jimcolt]

The clean air thing is a myth that just keeps growing. Air quality for a plasma cutter is no different than you would need for paint spraying or sandblasting. In 99% of the cases....if you drain your compressor tank periodically or have an auto drain ($9.95 from harbor freight) then you will need no additional air treatment.

The other part of the myth about air for plasma cutters is that they consume a lot of air....and you need a huge compressor. In reality, a plasma that can cut 1/2" steel uses about the same air as paint spraying.....and about the same as an air impact wrench, far less than a die grinder or air sander. You can run a plasma for short bursts (20 to 30 seconds) on a tiny air compressor typically used for nail guns (3 to 4 cfm @90 psi). In 30 seconds with a good quality plasma you can cut about 120 inches of 16 gauge steel.

Good quality plasma systems from the major brands are an invaluable tool to have in your shop....incredible time savers that open up new areas of fabrication that you don't normally think of. I have not cut a piece of steel with my oxy-acetylene torches for over 30 years, just use them for heating. I sold my horizontal band saw as a hand plasma torch (Hypertherm only in my shop) can cut stock much faster than the band saw....and with a little experience (and some jigs to guide the torch with) the cut quality is very nice.

Even better.....is an air plasma cutter on a cnc machine for the best cutting capability!

Jim Colt

Problem with a plasma cutter is you must have a supply of clean, dry, compressed air. You will need an adequate air compressor, and the electrical capacity to run both the compressor and the plasma cutter at the same time.

The clean, dry air must be extremely clean and dry, and will probably require more than the usual water separator and filter.

Other than that, everyone says its better than sliced bread. (no, I don't own a plasma cutter, but keep reading about them on here and elsewhere.)

Charles

 

[Tunajoe]

Thank you JimColt.

I was curious if the plasma would be a substitution for other means of cutting metal, such as a band saw.
You answered that.

 

[lametec]

Other than cutting metal (I do have a oxy acetylene torch and rarely use it)
What would I use this for?

Nothing. That's all they're made to do.

Spectrum 2050 owner here.

 

[bcradio]

The price was $900 bucks. So maybe it's not such a deal....
I looked on Cyberweld and the were almost 1300 bucks new.

Air is no problem. I have a nice IR 80 gallon , 7.5 hp vertical compressor.

Pass on that and save for a Hypertherm 45

 

[JoeFin]

Other than cutting metal (I do have a oxy acetylene torch and rarely use it)
.....

I gave my Oxy/Ac set to my kid after getting my plasma cutter

 

[jimcolt]

Even though I have 4 plasma cutters in my shop....I would not give up the oxy-fuel torches. There is always the need for the "smoke wrench" for loosening stuck bolts, bending a piece of metal, or straightening the piece that is not supposed to be bent. I find no need for the torches for cutting though...

Jim Colt