plasma cutter advice

[camarojim]

I could use some experience or opinions on a purchase of a plasma cutter..
probably the thickest would be 1/4" material, but maybe not always..but I'd like to cut up car bodies, frames, brackets, etc, without dragging the OA torch around..

I realize you get what you pay for - most of the time. are those 30 amp inverter type cutters on ebay worth anything at all ?

I'm also looking at used ebay stuff from hypertherm etc...any brands to definetly stay away from ?

are the 115 v jobs good enough to do some car demo out of the shop.. IOW, can you take a 15 gal air comp, low end plasma cuttter and put them on the yard trailer and haul them out the site , plug in and start demoing, or is that unrealistic

thanks

Jim

 

[danski0224]

The 115v Miller machines with the built in compressor do a good job on traditional sheet metal up to around 3/16. They will sever 1/4, but it takes a while.

Based on your description, it should do the trick.

 

[krooser]

I've done a little research on plasma cutters recently....prior to buying one last week. EVERYONE...sellers, buyers, manufacturers all say the same thing..most people who purchase a 1/8" machine...most come back in less than a year to upgrade. While the built-in air supply is handy, most users do thicker cuts than these machine can handle..so my advice is to buy something that will cleanly cut 3/8".

Miller makes all the Hobart machines and the smaller Hypertherms. I've been told that if the torch goes bad on one of these it can't be rebuilt...look for a new one at about $400.00....don't know for sure.

My friend has had two Lincoln 3/'8" machines and really liked them. He now has a Thermal Dynamics 38 and sez it is a better machine.

I bought a one year old Thermal Dynamics 38 on ebay...paid $650.00...still has warranty...I like the fact that you can remove the torch from the machine...most others are hard wired into the case. You can buy this new for $1063.00 on ebay from Indiana Oxygen...my local sellers sell it for about $1400.00...

 

[camarojim]

I've done a little research on plasma cutters recently....prior to buying one last week. EVERYONE...sellers, buyers, manufacturers all say the same thing..most people who purchase a 1/8" machine...most come back in less than a year to upgrade. While the built-in air supply is handy, most users do thicker cuts than these machine can handle..so my advice is to buy something that will cleanly cut 3/8".

Miller makes all the Hobart machines and the smaller Hypertherms. I've been told that if the torch goes bad on one of these it can't be rebuilt...look for a new one at about $400.00....don't know for sure.

My friend has had two Lincoln 3/'8" machines and really liked them. He now has a Thermal Dynamics 38 and sez it is a better machine.

I bought a one year old Thermal Dynamics 38 on ebay...paid $650.00...still has warranty...I like the fact that you can remove the torch from the machine...most others are hard wired into the case. You can buy this new for $1063.00 on ebay from Indiana Oxygen...my local sellers sell it for about $1400.00...

thanks Krooser,
I sure see a lot of used stuff, and always wonder 'what the rest of the real true story' is...a lot of guys buy a small one and then want to trade up pretty fast...unless I could really score a deal on a small one 115v, I think I probably need to set my sights higher..but I like the idea of the model that is both 115 and 230...that might be really handy...

those cutmaster 38's get a lot of good talk..

Jim

 

[Ed ke6bnl]

thanks Krooser,
I sure see a lot of used stuff, and always wonder 'what the rest of the real true story' is...a lot of guys buy a small one and then want to trade up pretty fast...unless I could really score a deal on a small one 115v, I think I probably need to set my sights higher..but I like the idea of the model that is both 115 and 230...that might be really handy...

those cutmaster 38's get a lot of good talk..

Jim

I got an old thermodynamics big heavy, but works great and was cheap and the PARTS are reasonable the cost of consumables is very important to the purchase price. You will be using them up

 

[Fat_46]

I bought the Cutmaster 38 this spring and couldn't be more pleased with it. It has the auto-sensing 110/220 internals so you can use both. No matter what you end up with, make sure you buy a water filter (the kind that uses the rolls of what looks like toilet paper). I've used mine a few dozen times and the consumables are still in great shape. I've even used it to cut motor and ****** mounts - waaaay faster than a Sawzall!

 

[Satatic]

Do they use a gas?

 

[krooser]

Do they use a gas?

Compressed air...some HD industrial units use nitrogen, I believe.

 

[hornett22]

cutmasters are great!

my buddy has one and i like it better than the pro cut 55 from lincoln i'm using now.i go thermal dynamics or hypostherm.

 

[rsitzejr]

I love my Hypertherm 380. I've had it for about 3 years, and have cut up to 3/8" with it, but it's working hard cutting that thick.

 

[bluesman2a]

I have the thermal dynamics 101. I previously owned a Miller 375 and had to up-size. Both are great machines, but I will echo earlier advice: Buy as big as you can reasonably afford, you will never regret having TOO MUCH capability, but you will regret having to go bigger.

I also agree the OneTorch design on the Thermal Dynamics is very nice. When storing you can neatly coil the whil and you aren't stressing any connections, and the connector is plenty beefy you won't accidently damage it.

 

[camarojim]

I have the thermal dynamics 101. I previously owned a Miller 375 and had to up-size. Both are great machines, but I will echo earlier advice: Buy as big as you can reasonably afford, you will never regret having TOO MUCH capability, but you will regret having to go bigger.

I also agree the OneTorch design on the Thermal Dynamics is very nice. When storing you can neatly coil the whil and you aren't stressing any connections, and the connector is plenty beefy you won't accidently damage it.

thanks for the report

I ended up buying a hypertherm 43 via an unfinished ebay auction...it didn't bring enough, but not paying paypal fees, he cut me a deal..just got it Sunday and can't wait to try it out.

Jim