Plasma Cutter - Makita Compressor?

[22lover]

Hi All, it's been years since I've posted.

I'm embarking on building about 1300 ft of farm fence in E. Texas. It will be a combination of 2 7/8" oil pipe H-braces, line posts, and T-posts, strung with hog wire. As part of the fun, I'll need to cut pipe in the field. Namely, saddle the ends for braces. I have a Lotos LTP5000 plasma cutter for this purpose.

The idea is that I'll use my Polaris ATV + small trailer pulling my fence building goodies. Stick welder, plasma cutter, generator, portable band saw, angle grinder, etc. in tow. I need to obtain the compressor and am considering the Makita 2400 and 5200. The 2400, per its spec, will totally support the plasma cutter's CFM requirements...but with little overhead. The 5200 will provide a decent amount of overhead, but likely won't be a benefit over the 2400 otherwise in this use case. This is based on the paper specs of the units only....so I ask.....

Anyone have real-world experience running a plasma cutter off of one of these Makita units?

Thanks in advance,

Bill

PS: Working on my stick welding skills. I built an H-brace in my driveway just for grins (HOA loves me), and though it's strong, my welds look terrible. I'm used to my small MIG (Hobart 140), but it doesn't quite have the horsepower to weld the wall thickness I'm dealing with.

 

[Ton ton]

I would probably go with the bigger one just so you hopefully have more air tool options for stuff other than fence building. Just my worthless 2 cents. I do run a small Makita air compressor that I believe is made by Emglo.

 

[22lover]

Thanks, I'm leaning that direction.

Anyone with plasma experience with the MAC2400 or 5200?

 

[GaryM909]

I have the Makita 2400 with a Miller Extreme 375. The Makita is not adequate.

 

[22lover]

I have the Makita 2400 with a Miller Extreme 375. The Makita is not adequate.

Good to know, thank you. I guess I'll concentrate on the 5200 unless anyone has another portable suggestion.

 

[Outwest]

If you’re only building a handfull of H braces, it would be easiest to make the cuts with your band saw or angle grinder. It‘s a simple task I have used often. You can youtube it. For what it’s worth, I own a fence building company and this is an easy route. I run a Miller 302 air pac, but rarely run a plasma cutter. They manufacture a keyhole unit for H braces as well that don’t require welding, which is a must in dry range ground. I’ll see if I can find the outfit that makes them, I get them from a local fence supplier. https://www.montanafencecompany.com/. I’m not affiliated with this company, but i have used their products.

 

[22lover]

Thank you! I'd seen those from some other research and they look nifty. I may try them out on the run after this one (700 ft) if I survive the first.

I decided to go with the MAC5200 after the advice given here. Should be delivered next week.

 

[tarbellb]

Great compressor, but bear to move around

 

[Renegade1LI]

I have a couple 5200s, great compressor, great for the jobsite it's well protected, but heavy & awkward, just an odd shape.