Chop Saw or Plasma Cutter

[streetglider]

I purchased a Cut50F Plasma Cutter in the group buy which was handled by Aquamoose who did a fantastic job. I am now getting ready to fabricate some items for my ATV/Motorcycle trailer. Before I unpack the cutter, I am wondering if I would be better off selling the plasma cutter and purchasing a multipurpose chop saw. Everything I will do on the trailer will be flat steel or pipe.

I spend most of my time working on the bikes though I would like to work on a car when I retire soon. I have a 60 gallon, 2 stage compressor and could use cut-off tools though I would have to buy a better brand than I have now.

I am purely a hobby guy, nothing is used a lot. What would you do?

 

[ovrrdrive]

The flat will cut fine with the plasma but the pipe you'll want a chop saw for. If you're going to do a lot of metal work you'll probably want to have both in your shop. I've gotten good cuts on square tube with my PM65 but you have to be really careful when you rotate it to line the cuts up or you end up with a lot of grinding. I'm building a Plasma table right now and had to cut a lot of square and rectangle tube and using the plasma wouldn't have gotten them straight enough to weld together so I bought an Evolution Rage 2. I had a HF abrasive chop saw already but it wouldn't cut anywhere near to perpendicular and my attempt to reseat the bracket on it failed. The Rage2 cut perfectly right out of the box. There's no way I would try to cut round pipe with the plasma.

 

[crab]

I have both and about the only time I use the plasma is when I'm making a cut that is not a straight cut , like a curve . If you do a lot of fabrication a plasma is really handy but for most of what I do I don't need one . I've thought about selling my plasma and my 250 migmaster and getting a tig .

 

[77Mini]

I would say both are worth having. I have both and can see the value in both. Adding a chop saw to your setup shouldn't cost you too much.

 

[crewchief888]

i use an abrasive chop saw, (ridgid) most of the time, or a cutoff wheel on a 4 1/2" grinder.

i sold the plasma cutter several years ago, it wasnt used enough to justify the space it took up in a cramped garage.

just my $0.02

 

[jimindm]

I had always wanted a plasma cutter, but could not justify the cost of one. A few years ago I happened across one at a swap meet. Seemed the fellow had passed away and the kids were selling his stuff. It was a century one and I paid a couple of hundred for it. The kids also threw in some of the air dyers that the old man had for it.

It was just to cheap to pass up. Like others have said it just sits alot, but like any other tool, when you need it you need it.

I have an abrasive cut off saw. While it works great and I have used it a lot, I could not see my self getting rid of it. Again, a tool that sits, but when needed, you want it.

If I had to choose only one, I would look at a chop saw. I would never have the abrasive kind again. I would choose the newer low speed metal cutting blade type.

Abrasive blades are just a bout a thing of the past for me. There are so many other choices out there. It seems like I have so many abrasive blades laying around, half used. Because I needed the full throat of the cut.

There are many diamond blades out now, that I have switched to. I have them on my die grinders, and on my angle grinders. Getting the full depth of a cut is great.

 

[ovrrdrive]

If I had to choose only one, I would look at a chop saw. I would never have the abrasive kind again. I would choose the newer low speed metal cutting blade type.

Abrasive blades are just a bout a thing of the past for me. There are so many other choices out there.

Agreed 100%... A dry cut saw is so much better than an abrasive. I really love my Rage2.

 

[Thumper68]

Every metal cutter has it's strengths and weaknesses that is why there are so many different kinds.

I would never consider getting rid of any of mine unless it was to upgrade to a better one.

In the shop right now here is what I have and some get used a lot and others sit until I have a need for it's strength.

Horizontal band saw
Vertical band saw
plasma
oxy acetylene
grinders with cut off wheels 4 1/2in 7in
scissor shear
14in dry saw
2 14in abrasive saws (one with metal blade and one with masonry blade)
7 1/4in circ saw with metal blade

 

[zkling]

Keep the plasma, add a horizontal bandsaw.

 

[streetglider]

Thanks for the advice. I'm not sure which direction I want to go in just yet. I looked at band saws but thought I might get more use out of a Rage 2 or 4 since I do cut the occasional piece of wood or plastic. I have to admit, I feel guilty looking at the plasma cutter sitting there since I have never used it.

I may have to give it some more time to see if I find I actually could use it.

 

[crewchief888]

Thanks for the advice. I'm not sure which direction I want to go in just yet. I looked at band saws but thought I might get more use out of a Rage 2 or 4 since I do cut the occasional piece of wood or plastic. I have to admit, I feel guilty looking at the plasma cutter sitting there since I have never used it.

I may have to give it some more time to see if I find I actually could use it.

just a random thought, but if you take out out of the box maybe you'll be more inclined to use it..

i know if i buy something and leave it in the box, it seems like i never get around to using it. a couple years ago i was ready to buy a miter saw, while i was "shopping" for one, i found a miter stand on clearance, bought it and left it in the box,
took well over a year to go buy the saw

 

[sberry]

Still in the package and gonna sell it. Why go thru it all.