Plasma Cutter or Oxy/Acetylene Torch?

[1320stang]

I figure most will say O/A torch (or both), but as far as consumables, anyone used both for a while? Seems like I see several complaints about plasma consumables, but I mark that up as a cheap plasma as well as novice. I rented a O/A setup one time to cut up an Isuzu Pup and emptied the bottles!!! I figure that was being a novice as well as not shutting the valves after use.

 

[The Cobbler]

I think consumables on plasma are way cheaper than oxy/ acet
I have a plasma that cuts to 5/8 & I would not trade that for a gas set up ( not that I do a lot of cutting either)

 

[zkling]

Oxy propane unless you plan on gas welding on the regular or cutting tons of sheet. Look at the smith WH200 heavy duty series.

 

[Kaervak]

In my opinion I'd go with oxy/ace setup. However, I live in the salt belt and deal with stuck fasteners a lot. Oxy/ace is a life saver in that situation. If you don't have to deal with rusty fasteners, go with a plasma cutter. Definitely run a drier on your air line though, I've heard a lot of people say that without it it burns up consumables pretty quick.

 

[lbpd716]

Both have their purposes. One thing to think of for people like me who play the home game, many home and home shop insurance policies do not like o/a and will run up your rates or refuse to insure within some city limits.

Also check your codes as local f.d. may require signing and inspections for o/s

 

[jmcf1949]

Depends on what you are cutting and how neatly it needs to be cut. Most plasma dross can be removed neatly and quickly with a chisel.

 

[dr_clyde]

I’d be lost without my oxy-acetylene. I use it for lots of things besides cutting. Brazing, silver solder (technically brazing still) pre/post heat, straightening and bending and occasionally some welding.

Plasma cutters are handy, but they are expensive to purchase and use. Consumables are expensive, they require lots of DRY air, they’re not portable, they take a fair amount of juice, and they’re limited on thickness compared to a torch. They CAN cut stainless, copper and aluminum which a torch cannot.

I would get a torch first, then think about a plasma later.

Let me say, I have both, they each have their place, but I use my torch 5x as often.

 

[Lassen Forge]

Both. You can do a LOT with Oxy/Acet that is (literally) impossible with a plasma cutter, but a plasma cutter is faster and (generally) cuts cleaner than O/A...

 

[Firebrick43]

Plasma is only for cutting clean steel. I mention this as the op talks about scrapping which you would never use a plasma for.

Plasma is nice but an oxy/acetylene is necessary imho.

 

[DerekV]

Plasma is only for cutting clean steel.

????

No.

 

[eyeball]

Plasma is only for cutting clean steel. I mention this as the op talks about scrapping which you would never use a plasma for.

Plasma is nice but an oxy/acetylene is necessary imho.

While I am not a volume guy, I do use my plasma for scrapping on occasion. Most recently I cut up a subframe out of a 1970 Nova with little effort.

For more frequent scrapping, I agree, gas would be my preference.

 

[dr_clyde]

Cutting dirty, painted, oily or coated steel with a plasma is perfectly possible, but you had better be prepared to replace tips often and fight grounding issues, and your cut quality dives pretty quick.

If you’re regularly cutting for demolition or scrapping, a torch is FAR better. Just look at the scrapyards. Torches everywhere and only one or two plasma units to cut things the torch won’t.

 

[sberry]

Scraps normally use LP.

 

[setfocus]

Don't think there are laws on having propane in a garage and propane is cheaper, but you will go through oxygen faster. From what I've read, you can't weld with propane. Burned propane won't shield the weld like acetylene does, or something like that

 

[FSrepair&fabrication]

I would get a torch first. Its multi-use where a plasma can only cut. They cost about the same if youre buying entry level equipment.

 

[McFarmer]

Torch does more, what a plasma cutter does, it does better.

 

[Firebrick43]

Plasma is only for cutting clean steel. I mention this as the op talks about scrapping which you would never use a plasma for.

Sorry, your right, and I imagine someone somewhere has used only a crescent wrench(adjustable spanner for the ****** brits) to rebuild a engine.

Let me change it.

"I would only use a Plasma is only for cutting clean steel. I mention this as the op talks about scrapping which I would never use a plasma for as it destroys tips like meth does teeth. " Is that better?

 

[jeepinerdeep]

They aren't mutually exclusive unfortunately.

I would take the advice of torch first and propane/propylene for heating and cutting only. ( Bolts and whatnot ) Way easier to deal with. Then plasma, then some saws if you are into general fab.

For a non-production shop, I think folks are overstating the plasma consumable cost. I have had both ESAB and Hypertherm. Just plan ahead and stock them. It's just part of the game.

Plasma consumables come in the mail when you are at work. Cylinder refills don't.

 

[zkling]

Scraps normally use LP.

Correct, and most heavy heating jobs are done with propane. Hard and dangerous to keep the big acetylene heating tips fed.

 

[dr_clyde]

The cool thing with a torch is you can use either propane or acetylene, just have to have the right regs, hoses, and tips. Each has their own advantages and disadvantages.

I personally prefer acetylene. I need TEMPERATURE more than VOLUME of heat mostly. But I do have some BIG acetylene cylinders and heating attachments if I need to really heat something up. But that is pretty rare. I mostly use the smaller welding and brazing tips, and the cutting attachment.

But if acetylene isn't your bag, its only a few parts away from swapping to propane.

 

[zkling]

Unfortunatly Smith dropped their lifetime warranty a few years ago. Look at the parts list on this.

https://www.millerwelds.com/equipme...y-duty-propane-straight-torch-kit-hba-30510lp


You can try to piece together a torch set used, just be careful on condition vs price. SO many you see uaed are WELL used (abused) and gas equipment is not a place I am willing to take chances on. Torches are one thing, but regulators can be a chunk of change to get rebuilt. Inwould consider any used hose to be replaced, especially if it is not hooked up / sealed on both ends.

 

[1320stang]

I don't plan on scrapping primarily. I have a O/A torch setup with no bottles, didn't know if I should go ahead and get bottle or just get a plasma. I've gas welded before and although I'm in Oklahoma which isn't part of the rust belt, I've had situations that required more heat than mapp gas gives (right now trying to get screwed in freeze plugs out of a 427 SO 7 cylinder with a view). I figure eventually on getting a plasma. I have a friend with a CNC plasma table and he talks about the expense of consumables and he's working with new sheet, thats what got me to thinking.

 

[bobcatdan]

Given a choice, O/A torch first. Big thing with a torch is you can heat stuff with it, a plasma can't do that. At home that is the main thing I use my torch for. I don't find myself cutting stuff with the torch much with what I do at home. It's for this simple reason I do see a reason for a plasma cutter at home, not saying I won't buy one some day. At work I use the plasma cutter here and there when it's is the better choice for the job at hand.

 

[PhantomEB]

I like Oxy Acetylene or OxyPro as it gives me skills to hone up for work when they need me to be able to do such.

I would love a plasma cutter but that’s down the list some.

 

[gmwelder86]

Can make perfectly clean cuts with a torch just takes some practice just like any skill. Plasma torch is just easier to handle and smaller kerf so appearance of a mistake is smaller. OA torch can do much more than plasma but with the newer smaller plasma cutters they take up more space to.