Looking to buy my first plasma cutter

[Onefastgsx]

Like the title says. It's time I add a plasma cutter to my artillery. I'd like it to be capable of cutting up to 1/4 inch steel plate. I have only used a couple different machines at work and am not too familiar with different brands, so I figured I would ask here for brand and machine suggestions before starting extensive research.
What's everyone's favorite?

 

[Onefastgsx]

Never heard of this Primeweld brand but I'm seeing some good reviews on this 50amp model. It claims to cut 1/2-3/4" material with ease. Its pretty cheap though, sounds too good to be true.

 

[Superbec]

I doubt that machine will cut 3/4 ...It will struggle with 1/2
If you make money with it just go with Hypertherm , for hobby get whatever your budget lets you.

You also need a big air compressor and some sort of air dryer .

 

[dogdog]

I would go with a brand name on this... had an early cut50D alike... and it works ok for about few months, place it in storage, then it just won't arc anymore...

if you search cut50D... it's pretty much generic plasma cutter with different labels... One of those products I would say you are throwing your $$ away. Even the HF or the Eastwood would be better... There was an organized group buy of these things here 2 or 3 years ago... don't think that had a good outcome..

 

[Onefastgsx]

I fabricate by day for a local company. I've finally got myself a couple of nice welders and my side work gig has really been keeping me busy the last few months. I dont expect to be making many long, thick cuts with it, so my 60 gal compressor should suffice. I'm certain, when I pick one up, I will start using it frequently. So I'd like a machine with easily replaceable parts, and good tech support if something goes wrong. I want something that I can have serviced, not just throw away if something fails

 

[Superbec]

then you have to chose between Hypertherm and Thermal Dynamics .
Compressor is big enough , just dry the air .

 

[Onefastgsx]

I took a look at Hypertherm and I can't afford even their lowest model ($1700)
Thermal dynamics seems to have a few options around $1000 which is in my ballpark. I'm going to do some reading on their different models. If anyone has one of their machines I'd love to hear what you think about it.

 

[dr_clyde]

I have 2 hypertherm plasma cutters and am very happy with them.

If you intended to make money with it get a high quality unit.

Used is a good option if you can’t afford new.

 

[ScottReb]

What dr clyde said, save longer or look for used units. Even older units still receive great support. Jim Colt is an amazing resource, not sure if he is on GJ but he is on several others and will give you his personal number and talk you through any issues you could ever have. You will hear Hypertherm over and over for a reason. Consumables last longer, cuts better, and units are underrated versus most others being overrated. You will never have duty cycle issues outside of running them on a table. Eventually, if you continue in a trade where you need a plasma you will end up with a Hypertherm. I've done the chinese route and an american colored one too, but it really is in another league.

 

[lis2323]

I am more than happy with my Miller plasma cutters which I found at exceptionally good prices.

That being said I am in agreement with others as Hypertherm would have been my first choice. Jim Colt has also given me helpful advice in the past.




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[sponfit]

Another hypertherm user here with nothing but good things to say about it.

 

[BD1]

HYPERTHERM the best in the industry.
I attended Fabtech, and almost every plasma cutting table was using HYPERTHERM.
Employee owned, made in USA, and there is a member here that has been working there I think at least 30 years.
You buy it once and you're done.


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[zkling]

Hypertherm powermax 30xp. Do you already have an oxy fuel set?

A plasma is one thing I would be very careful buying used. Same for a torch set.

 

[marinusdees]

Hypertherm. I don't think Miller (not sure) makes the plasma cutters branded with their name.

 

[CGT80]

Hypertherm is the one to get! I have a miller 375 extreme and it is way over rated. While it has been very nice to have, it hasn't even impressed me on 1/8" steel. The powermax 65 did well on it's rated 3/4" material on the cnc table and rocks on 1/2" and under, with very clean cuts when dialed in. I wish my little plasma was also a hypertherm. My suitcase porter cable compressor is fine for short cuts with the miller, but for continuous cutting a 60gal 3 hp 10cfm compressor will run non stop but should be fine. Any smaller would not be good. Air pressure matters, so 150+ psi is best so that with filters and the pressure drop before the compressor cycles, you will maintain 90 psi to the cutter.

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[xman_charl]

been using this primeweld plasma

works okay

main reason purchase of this model...good torch

Charl

 

[u3b3rg33k]

I doubt that machine will cut 3/4 ...It will struggle with 1/2
If you make money with it just go with Hypertherm , for hobby get whatever your budget lets you.

You also need a big air compressor and some sort of air dryer .

here's my setup. 3-in-one DC tig/stick/plasma from everlast. HF start pilot torch is darn idiot resistant.

dryer is good for about 10-15 minutes of continuous cutting. I haven't changed the beads out yet and they're just starting to not be dark blue. that's a lot of projects. I'd have something like that in the line even with a refrigerated dryer.

would I want something nicer for daily use? yes. is this everything I had hoped it would be for cheap? pretty much. only complaint is the dip switch they give you as a trigger. can't find it without wearing the lightweight gloves, but the torch could be swapped out (again, $).
oh and my compressor is a "1HP" CAT tools quiet thing. it holds adequate pressure to cut. a little more might help, but it has no issue with slicing through cast iron.

 

[MoonRise]

Plasma?

Hypertherm. Done.

Buy once, cry once.

Hypertherm is usually considered THE plasma cutter leader.

 

[DerekV]

Hypertherm. They are 100% worth it. No B/S machines.

If you're adamant on not going Hypertherm (i.e. price alone is more important than the summation of: proven top tier product quality/cut quality/reliability/SUPPORT/parts network/consumable life/CNC compatibility/resale value/etc.), I've heard rumblings around the internet that the Viper machines are ok.

IMHO anything in the ballpark price range of an equivalent Hypertherm isn't worth it. Just get the Hypertherm and move on. Otherwise, I think there is some merit in considering import machines, as long as they're cheap enough but also decent enough (hint: they almost always aren't both). Plasma cutters are all about compromise.

 

[u3b3rg33k]

I will say this for consumable life:

DRY AIR.

 

[lis2323]

I will say this for consumable life:



DRY AIR.

[emoji106][emoji106][emoji106]

 

[marinusdees]

Hypertherm.

 

[IndyGarage]

I think you have your answer. I went with a slightly used Hypertherm Powermax 30.

Amazing machine for something so small and I paid about 2/3 what a new one would have cost.

 

[justme-]

May be the odd one here...but..
Co-worker has a miller inverter unit that works good on thin stuff (110vac) but stops shy of 1/4". Advantage is it's small and light.

I'm still using a thermal dynamics (now part of esab victor) dynapac 110 from 20 plus years ago...severs 1/4" and will sever thicker with operator skill.

Highly recommend looking into them...if you're considering dropping the cash for a hypertherm price out thermal dynamics...I think they are better units in the same price point. 90 percent of their market was industrial back when I got the dynapac.

Fwiw the only issue my dynapac has had was user error...someone hooked the wrong air line up to it and fed it from an air tool auto oiler line instead of the dried line... Could happen to any unit...and thermal dynamics repaired it. This was about 2012...so they still supported it. Says alot to me anyway.

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[JeepJohn62]

I also have a Hypertherm. I bought mine 20 years ago. At that time, I tried the Miller and Thermal Dynamics. I found out that cutting 1/4 or 3/8” plate with a smaller machine was quite slow. The Hypertherm 1000 cuts 3/8” like butter. I can make heavy brackets for my tractor and Jeep in a jiffy.


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