Harbor Freight Plasma Cutter

[drmarkr]

Ok, tell me why I do or don't want one of these things....

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92652

I don't make a habit of buying anything but disposable items from HF, but this seems pretty inexpensive?

MR

 

[PAToyota]

Reason One: Because for about $200 more you can pick up a Hypertherm Powermax 380 which will give you a non-disposable product, backed by people who can answer your questions, and readily available consumables and parts.

I really don't expect the HF one will be able to do what it implies. The 1/2" cutting is going to be a rough cut - just like the Hypertherm.

The parts / consumables is another big issue. Does HF sell the consumables? Or are they standard? What do they cost? Where do you buy them? It isn't like a welder where you can just buy wire or welding rod anywhere and it is all standard.

Just compare the information given for the HF model and the Hypertherm. That level of information should tell you something.

By the way, my workhorse is an old Hypertherm 1100.

 

[wythors]

Ok, tell me why I do or don't want one of these things....

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92652

I don't make a habit of buying anything but disposable items from HF, but this seems pretty inexpensive?

MR

You've both asked and answered your own question. While Mr. Toyota put it very eloquently, I'll just cut to the chase: Harbor Freight sells **** and you can get a much better product from a much better company for just a little more. Please refer to the last line of my signature if you have any further questions in this matter.

 

[REFLEXX]

DISCLAIMER: I buy A LOT of Harbor Freight ****.

This plasma is JUNK. I bought one, it was DOA. I exchanged it, DOA again. I bought a Cutmaster 38 (used for $600) and it's SWEEEET. Like butter thrugh 3/8" material. slow on 1/2", but no slower than a OA torch, with a lot kess hassle.

my 2.5c

 

[sharpshooter]

DISCLAIMER: I buy A LOT of Harbor Freight ****.

This plasma is JUNK. I bought one, it was DOA. I exchanged it, DOA again. I bought a Cutmaster 38 (used for $600) and it's SWEEEET. Like butter thrugh 3/8" material. slow on 1/2", but no slower than a OA torch, with a lot kess hassle.

my 2.5c

I seen this on their site but then remembered all the other plasmas I had been looking at and realized how much cheaper this one was. I bought a blast cabinet off ebay a few weeks back (it was new) but I get it home and do some research and what do ya know its from HF, luckily I only paid 85 dollars for it and at that price I consider it a deal. I can see the lack of quality in this cabinet but I pretty much just paid for the cabinet, I bought the nozzel from else where. These tools remind me alot of the **** tool sales that come thru you town for the big one day sale extravaganza ( you know where you can get a bench grinder for 9.99. I would highly suggest staying away from any tools that require that kind of electricity or room for disaster with out going thru a tool company I have atleast heard of, you can never tell what kind of job these factories put out until something goes wrong with the tool and damages something or injures somebody, I just wouldnt trust this item.

 

[mikeyr]

I buy from HF a lot but only tools that I will use very little, things like one time use or once every couple of years use. I very seriously looked at that Plasma cutter but decided I would use it more than once a year and bought a Hypertherm 380 for about $200 more with shipping, yup my Hypertherm has been used WAY more than a one time and never regretted my decision.

The HF units USED to be built by HTP but not anymore, now a knockoff so they use HTP consumables, not your everyday standard consumable for when you run out on a Sunday afternoon, easy to find on the web but your local stores may not have the consumables.

I may be biased here but the best philosophy towards HF stuff is mine, ask yourself : How often am I going to use this "item" ? More than once or twice, go buy quality, once only then ask yourself : What will I break if the tool break while being used ? If its bones or me in any way, go buy quality, if its a car part that will be broken what is the cost of the part ? more than the quality tool ? As I said I buy from HF a lot but I certainly don't buy a lot of tools there.

 

[TNToy]

If you want a cheap inverter-based plasma cutter, I'd be very much more inclined to buy one of these...

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=458533

 

[sharpshooter]

I just checked out that site there TNT and it seems like the guys are happy with that cutter. He was doing a review on a 40 amp, heres a 50 amp for 500 http://cgi.ebay.com/50Amp-ParkerMP-Dual-Voltage-110-220v-YES-50-Amps_W0QQitemZ120042465668QQihZ002QQcategoryZ113743QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[drmarkr]

Ok, tell me why I do or don't want one of these things....

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92652

I don't make a habit of buying anything but disposable items from HF, but this seems pretty inexpensive?

MR

Thanks guys. I use HF for the disposable stuff also, but I guess that's the first time I'd seen a cutter on their website. Knew what the answer would be I guess...

MR

 

[Acebusa]

The problem is spending that much at hf for a plasma cutter that some parts for is will be obsolete when you arrive home.... rediculous, The plasma cutter of choice for me is the miller 375, there are others that will work as well, but look at it like it may break one day, and you will need support. Save your money and buy a name brand, and you will think yourself down the road.

 

[thefairlaneman]

The problem is spending that much at hf for a plasma cutter that some parts for is will be obsolete when you arrive home.... rediculous, The plasma cutter of choice for me is the miller 375, there are others that will work as well, but look at it like it may break one day, and you will need support. Save your money and buy a name brand, and you will think yourself down the road.

As others say HF tools arent for the most part made for professionals that use them every day, Prices at HF vary alot and HF has no repair parts for the things they sell. If it breaks after the limited warranty is up ,its cheaper to just buy another. Overall I like HF alot