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Inexpensive portable plasma cutter

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zendriver

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Anybody have one? How well does it work?

I’m looking for one basically to do a relatively small amount, automotive sheet metal cutting.

Mostly, I’m trying to figure out what the air requirement is.

Something to this

IMG_1464.png
 
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Willie Makeit

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Dec 30, 2013
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check out PrimeWeld's offerings. I have one of their TiG units and it is great. I can't speak directly to their plasma units as I do not own one, but they do get stellar online reviews.

primeweld.com

Shop for Plasma Cutters for Sale Online | PrimeWeld

Essential plasma cutters for metalwork, auto restoration, construction, and more. Shop PrimeWeld for dependable machines with free shipping.
primeweld.com primeweld.com
 
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Jswain

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I've been damn happy with my herocut. Extremely happy going on 4 years, and have used it a lot.

I would honestly probably skip out on the fancy display and get one with just an amperage display and a manual gauge for the air pressure.

Make sure it has the ag60 torch like the one you posted, much better then a pt31 style, the consumables are slightly more expensive but last much, much longer.
 
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vwpieces

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emeraldcoupe said:
i've had this one for a while now, works fine. i don't use it enough to justify an expensive one.

Click to expand...
I have the same no-touch pilot arc. But mine has an orange case. Opposite to what's shown now.
It works and has done 3/8in plate for me. Sheet like butter. It was right at $200 when I bought it 2.5yrs ago
Only used it 4 times and I zero regrets. Certainly do not need a $3K plasma cutter in my shop.
Whole lot cheaper to use compared to Oxy.
 
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Jswain

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Looking for Recommendations for a Plasma Cutter

I am looking to buy a hand held plasma cutter for out in the garage. This will be in my home garage. I already have an oxygen/acet torch for thicker metal. I would like a plasma to cut up to 1/4". I have a nice air compressor that will keep up no problem. Would like a quality unit, but do...
www.garagejournal.com www.garagejournal.com

I posted some examples on how well mine cuts 1/4" & 3/16" plate. (On page 2) The consumables were previously used when I started, I cut out all the plate for the cabinet, and I'm still using the same consumables now.

Note: for all the people who recommended hypertherm, not one of them showed how much better they cut.

I will say, I wish you could get extended tips/scarfing tips for them like the hypertherm. Or if you're planning on running a fab shop or a plasma table then perhaps you'd want a hypertherm. But for a home shop the difference ain't worth the $$
 
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zendriver

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Indiana
Jswain said:

Looking for Recommendations for a Plasma Cutter

I am looking to buy a hand held plasma cutter for out in the garage. This will be in my home garage. I already have an oxygen/acet torch for thicker metal. I would like a plasma to cut up to 1/4". I have a nice air compressor that will keep up no problem. Would like a quality unit, but do...
www.garagejournal.com www.garagejournal.com

I posted some examples on how well mine cuts 1/4" & 3/16" plate. (On page 2) The consumables were previously used when I started, I cut out all the plate for the cabinet, and I'm still using the same consumables now.

Note: for all the people who recommended hypertherm, not one of them showed how much better they cut.

I will say, I wish you could get extended tips/scarfing tips for them like the hypertherm. Or if you're planning on running a fab shop or a plasma table then perhaps you'd want a hypertherm. But for a home shop the difference ain't worth the $$
Click to expand...
At this point, I just wanted to do automotive sheet metal repair work. I may never use it again after that except my wife wanted to learn how to do it to cut designs out of sheet metal.
 
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Jswain

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zendriver said:
At this point, I just wanted to do automotive sheet metal repair work. I may never use it again after that except my wife wanted to learn how to do it to cut designs out of sheet metal.
Click to expand...
They all work amazing on sheet metal, use a straight edge whenever you can!
 
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zendriver

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Location
Indiana
vpd66 said:
Plasma Cutter, Pilot Arc BTC500DP 7th Generation 50Amps Screen Display Dual Voltage 110/220V Digital Plasma Cutting Machine (BTC500DP 7Gen 110/220V)

This is the latest top Chinese plasma cutter that is getting the best reviews. Like others have said stay away from Yeswelder. Do your research.
Click to expand...
Ordered that one last night, supposed to be here tomorrow. (Love Amazon). I kicked myself for not clicking the $20 off box. Still a great price.

Plasma cutter almost seem like a no brainer, for cutting sheet metal. Might be why it looks like so many of all makes are being purchased. Selling inexpensive probable helps a lot.

I've always hated using tin snips and at 65 still have not figured out which were the right colored handles, for which direction of cut. Now, who cares? :lol: Make a pattern and cut the piece perfectly. I look forward to making sheet metal repairs to the old rusties
 
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brianh

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Apr 6, 2010
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Location
grahamsville NY
I bought a similar one on EBay in 2015 labeled Cut 50, still works fine, not a tool I use a lot but sure saves the day when needed. 3/8 and under is smooth 1/2 is slow.
 
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