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Do I need a torch if I am getting a plasma cutter?

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klieber

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My 2015 resolution is to learn metal working. I just bought a new (to me) Miller 211 welder and now I'm trying to figure out what I want for cutting. Main use case is automotive with some very light fabrication on the side. Nothing more than ~1/2" thick and rarely even more than 1/4" thick.

Near as I can tell, a plasma cutter is better (for cutting) in nearly every way for my use cases. Torches are useful for heating bolts up, but in those cases, can I accomplish the same thing with a simple propane torch from home depot?

Is there any significant reason I'd want a cutting torch if I have a plasma cutter?

thanks.

EDIT: I should also mention I'm planning on buying a used chop saw for cutting straight pipe and the like.
 
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michael murder

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The plasma cutter is better for cutting in my opinion.

But the propane torch in most cases probably won't get the bolts hot enough to be effective.

Torches can come in handy for heating up and bending stuff too, you can also weld with them.

If I had a choice between a torch and a plasma cutter, I'd probably get the torch setup. I think it's a more versatile tool.
 
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hickfied

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Yes. i've had a propane torch for years. It has never actually worked for me when heating up something to release a bolt.

Just got a real torch setup and it works WONDERS on stuck bolts.
 
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klieber

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OK, I was afraid y'all would say that. I can get a small torch set up for ~$100 off CL -- I'll probably go that route.

thanks!
 
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zkling

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Start with a bernzomatic TS8000 and a hose to connect it to a 20lb tank. It will do most small tasks. Then if you need more heat, I'd recommend going with a propane/oxy setup. With a cutting torch you can hack off some very thick sections.
 
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devoncoolman

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Its garage journal you need both! Seriously though get a torch as well if not first. Torch is very usefull and far more effective at heating and bending then a propane torch.
 
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AndyA

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RedneckWelder said:
I'd get the O/A outfit first and then the plasma cutter.

Yes both will cut but the plasma can't heat for those moments when you need to show a fastener exactly who is boss.
Click to expand...

+1

If cutting by hand, the O/A will give just about the same cut quality. Using the correctly sized tips helps.

The O/A will heat for bending and straightening metal.

O/A can be used anywhere. You don't need electricity or an air compressor.

O/A can cut insanely thick pieces, like 6". A plasma that cuts 6" thick is huge money.

O/A is cheaper. For a decent setup: $200 for regulators and torches, and maybe $500 for large bottles = $700. Versus around $1500 for plasma that will cut comparable thickness, like 1".

O/A doesn't work for aluminum or stainless. So if that's what you need, you'll need a plasma. The plasma will cut just about any metal.

Plasma is maybe a little easier to use. Point and shoot. Whereas the O/A requires setting regulators and adjusting mixture. Not really that much trouble though
 
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ADSR

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zkling said:
Start with a bernzomatic TS8000 and a hose to connect it to a 20lb tank. It will do most small tasks. Then if you need more heat, I'd recommend going with a propane/oxy setup. With a cutting torch you can hack off some very thick sections.
Click to expand...

Where do you buy the hose that hooks to a 20lb tank?
 
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wild cowboy

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the little propane Bernzomatic torches are rather worthless, but a real propane rig from someone like Smith (Miller), or Victor or Harris will do anything as well as acetylene except welding.
 
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Moose364

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Both its hard to get by with just the plasma cutter, but cutting thin stuff the plasma wins hands down. but for heating, bending, and something you can't get in the shop the O/A can't be beat and if it is really nasty it's great to cut outside plus rusty stuff
 
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cludwin

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I don't have a plasma cutter but once I got the O/A torch for my garage I wondered how I ever got by without it ;)

Get good size tanks the small ones don't flow enough Acetylene to run the bigger tips + rosebuds and etc.

Also keep an eye on Craigslist you can find nice USA made torches (e.g.: victor, smith harris) going for reasonable prices.

If you go for used tanks make sure that they are exchangable / fillable at your local welding supply shop. For me I bought a nice used setup w/ airgas tanks because airgas was closest to my home. It came with everything and I just bought a new set of hoses to replace the old ones and I've been using it ever since.
 
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ncfh

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Has no one has mentioned that you can weld and braze with O/A?

And if you can figure out a torch tip chart (not hard) than your cut quality should be equal to that of plasma with O/A.
 
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rdn2blazer

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Ya need both if your gonna be working metal period. Torches were around LOOOOG before Plasma. Sure it's better for outright cutting, but a torch is invaluable in a metal shop. Many many uses.
 
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JKady

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Spanaway, WA
Torch is 10 times the tool a plasma is. Don't get me wrong, plasma cutters kick *** for cutting things out of flat metal on a bench for making brackets and such, but I use a torch regularly under a car for things like removing frame brackets. Cut a bracket off with a plasma and you're left with a lot of grinding, cut it off with a torch and I can wash the remnants away and leave a bare rail with minimal grinding. Gotta blow the head off a damaged/rusted bolt off? Torch is much easier and less risky. Torch is also capable of blowing a broken off stud out of a threaded hole and leave you with something that sometimes only needs a thread chaser run though it. Also, can't weld or braze with a plasma, and if you're real old school you can't do body lead with anything but a torch.

Both good tools, but I'd put money into an O/A torch set long before I ponied up for a plasma.
 
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wild cowboy

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since I never used O/A for welding anyways, just used it for heating, brazing, and cutting, using propane in place of acetylene works every bit as well and is much safer and cheaper!
 
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bcradio

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Catadj78 said:
I'd get both.. Look at the plasma group buy thread
Click to expand...

nine4gmc said:
This^, for $200 or so, you could be plasma cutting up to 1" and pick up a torch later when you find the need.
Click to expand...

Ok what the heck are we talking about here? I have never seen a thread for a plasma group buy. Does it have some random obscure title or is it located in the flooring section or something?
 
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klieber

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So I signed up for the plasma group buy and, with the extra money I'm saving, I'll buy a decent torch. I found some good deals on used victor torches on CL -- I'll likely go that route.

What's the best way to get bottles? I hate renting since I'm going to use this so infrequently, it's going to be a waste of money every month. But then I heard lots of LWS won't fill owner bottles. I'm in the Phoenix area if there's anyone local to me that can explain what they do.
 
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abvw

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zkling said:
Start with a bernzomatic TS8000 and a hose to connect it to a 20lb tank. It will do most small tasks. Then if you need more heat, I'd recommend going with a propane/oxy setup. With a cutting torch you can hack off some very thick sections.
Click to expand...

Any ways to taper down the nozzle/tip on the TS8000 and not hinder the performance?
 
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klieber

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Lassen Forge said:
Thansk from me as well... jeez, for a couple hundred bucks it'd be hard to go wrong, unless it were pure rubbish.
Click to expand...

The whole group buy stemmed from this thread, where the guy had some pretty favorable things to say about the cutter. So, while I doubt it's of the same quality as a Hypertherm, I'm hopeful it will be "just fine" for DIY/light home use.
 
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zeet

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It's hard to imagine life without an O/A torch... To my way of thinking it's kind of the equivalent of having a hammer and a handsaw in a carpenter's kit.
 
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kelpaso1

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klieber said:
So I signed up for the plasma group buy and, with the extra money I'm saving, I'll buy a decent torch. I found some good deals on used victor torches on CL -- I'll likely go that route.

What's the best way to get bottles? I hate renting since I'm going to use this so infrequently, it's going to be a waste of money every month. But then I heard lots of LWS won't fill owner bottles. I'm in the Phoenix area if there's anyone local to me that can explain what they do.
Click to expand...

If you use the torch infrequently then get an adapter to mount your gauges to the propane tank.

For the oxy, around here you can buy the smaller tanks but you have to lease the larger ones. The one i bought is about 2 feet high and lasts months or even longer unless I do alot of cutting. Buying the tank full was around $200 and an exchange refill is $65. Propane is cheap compared to acetylene. Can do everything except torch welding.
 
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APEowner

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As others have indicated a plasma cutter and a O/A or O/P torch are two different tools. Apart from cutting steel they're really used for different things. Even when cutting steel they're each better at different applications.

As far as tanks are concerned your best bet is to go talk to a couple of places that you might use for refills and see what your options are.

The place I'm using here in NM for argon, argon/CO2 mix and nitrogen charges for the gas plus a one time refundable deposit on the bottles. When I lived in NY I had a 10year lease on the bottles and when I had a short term need for some other gas they just loaned me the bottle and charged for the gas.

I own my own oxogen and acetylene bottles and both in NY and NM I just exchange them when I need a refill.
 
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venturesomerite

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I have a plasma and have been without torches for a while. I should have bought another torch set, they are way more useful. Plasma is great for cut out thinner ****, but to cut thicker, weird shape head and bend, torch can't be beat.
 
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