Plasma Cutter

[gwayms]

hey guys Im new to the forum and welding/fab. I have been luking around here for about a month. I just bought Lincoln 140 mig welder about a month ago. Plans are to learn to weld and eventually build bumpers for my jeep.
I am looking at buying a plasma cutter. And would like some information.
It would be used for angle, plate, sheet metal, etc. Probably nothing over
3/8". I dont have an air compressor or have room for one at the moment.
So my question is:
Should I go 110 or 220 V?
How are the ones with the built in air compressor?
And any other information? Brand, size, etc would help.

Thanks

 

[Roots]

Are you sure you need one that can cut upwards of 3/8" steel? You're going to pay a decent premium to get one to cut in that range.

At 1/4" or 5/16" capacity plasma cutters, I've never had an issue with using 110 or an internal compressor. If available though, I'd certainly prefer 220v and an external compressor, especially if cutting 3/8"-5/8" on a regular basis. Actually, I doubt I'd even consider a 110/internal compressor for that type of work. The only time I ever use our 110v/internal compressor, was for quick light field work cutting in 1/4" steel panels for mounting equipment. Anything beyond that, and I'd call in a welding truck or take it back to our shop, for a heavier duty plasma cutter.

You might be well off going to a local welding supply shop near you. They can likely go over some of the differences between the major brands and your options for your intended uses. I'd personally stay away from the more generic brands when you're talking about stuff like this, sticking with Miller or Hobart at a minimum, although there are other good brands.

 

[sberry]

The self contained units are too small, strictly for sheet metal. You need a comp, get something that runs on 240. It doesn't need to be huge, 40A or so but the input circuit on 120 is so small especially when a good portion of it is used to compress air.

 

[ptschram]

I have a Longevty three-in-one that has been a workhorse for me.

when "I" broke it, they sent a mew new high frequency board overnight.

I've had it almost half the warranty period and I paid for it the first job it was used on.

$500 delivered!

 

[crewchief888]

since you are just getting started in fabrication, and dont have a compressor, i would hold off on a plasma for the time being.

fabbing bumpers, rock sliders, mounts ect can easily be done with a chop saw, and a 4 1/2" grinder.

i "thought" i needed a plasma too, after i bought it, and used it a couple times, it got shoved into a corner and eventually sold.

the money you'll spend on a plasma i think could be better spent on other things like
a good AD hood
face shield
welding jacket
clamps
angle finder
magnets
2 or 4 grinders, cup brush, cutoff disk, grinding wheel, flapdisk or sanding disk
couple corded drills
drill bits
hole saws

just my $0.02

 

[hayfarmer]

As othesr have said you should have an air compressor for a good plasma cutter. You can save alot of money by purchasing a Evolution Rage 2 chop saw with a metal blade. Check online.

If you go with a plasma cutter I would suggest a Thermal Dynamics, or Hypertherm. I'm blue all the way except for plasma. Check out www.weldersupply.com for very good pricing.

 

[91bronc300]

I have a Longevty three-in-one that has been a workhorse for me.

when "I" broke it, they sent a mew new high frequency board overnight.

I've had it almost half the warranty period and I paid for it the first job it was used on.

$500 delivered!

You mind me asking which model it is?

 

[Tarheelgarage]

Get a Hypertherm Powermax 30

With this one tool, you will never use your chop saws, cutoff wheels again.

It will reduce your project time by 2/3s.

Don't know why I waited so long to get one...

 

[camarotoolman]

a good used portaband might be the way to good too. I just sold a new looking 1 on feebay for just $155

 

[Larwyn]

I have no complaints about my Miller Spectrum 375 X-treme. It only requires 4.5 cfm @ 90 psi and will cut 3/8" cleanly enough. It can be operated on either 110 volts or 220 volts and changing between the two is as simple as swapping out the plug on the end of the cord.

The only other plasma cutter that I have owned was a Thermal Dynamics Draggun, it was 220 volts and had a built in compressor. That was several years ago but it struggled with 1/8" thick sheet metal.

I actually use my h/v bandsaw and porta-band more often than the plasma but when I need the plasma cutter it is really nice to have. It cuts much cleaner than the oxy/acetylene torch that I keep around mostly for heating and brazing but also to cut steel that is just too thick for my little plasma cutter.

 

[cide1]

I bought a Hypermax Powermax 30 as well when I started welding. I have no complaints, but I found it difficult to make straight cuts compared to a chop saw. Freehand with the plasma I'm pretty much worthless, so I spend a bunch of time trying to clamp guides to the work. I eventually got tired of struggling, and bought a Dewalt 14" abrasive chop saw, which has made the work much more enjoyable.

The P30 does not have a compressor, but it will run off both 120 and 240.

Get a Hypertherm Powermax 30

With this one tool, you will never use your chop saws, cutoff wheels again.

It will reduce your project time by 2/3s.

Don't know why I waited so long to get one...

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

I forget the model, but we have a big Miller plasma unit I have used since new back around 1997 that will cut 1/2 cleanly. The previous one was a Thermal Dynamics unit that was too small for equipment work.
IMO The use / importance / convenience of having a good plasma really just depend on what kind of work you have to do.
I don't prefer it for cutting stock to length since you do consume the tips which cost money...that work is done on a band saw (hate the abrasive chop saw for the mess it makes)
For automotive work, I could easily live without it, but you can get into places and cut much easier than most power tools and more reliably clean cuts versus a OA torch.--- Great for cutting and / splicing a subframe into a unibody, or cutting out floor pans, that sorta stuff.

For heavier material fabrication work, I do love the machine for speed and accuracy - you can cut out stuff precisely enough that you can knock off a tiny bit of slag (depending on the material) and then get to the welding fast.

For "demolition" and repair - say removing a bent piece of framework, while saving the next part - you can "split" a weld pretty easily and leave little to no prep on the part your keeping and then be ready to weld the new piece in fast. It also can be used to separate sheet metal parts in close proximity without "blowing" through" the part to be save, once you know how
to set it / get used to the way it cuts.

 

[dime]

to me when your deciding what plasma to get your really just deciding which hypertherm model you want. +1 on the pm30. i have a pm 65 and love it.

 

[rsanter]

miller does or at least did have one that was 110 and 220
the nice thing about that is you can take it places you dont have 220 but still can use 220 when you need to cut the thicker stuff

bob

 

[malibu101]

The self contained units are too small, strictly for sheet metal. You need a comp, get something that runs on 240. It doesn't need to be huge, 40A or so but the input circuit on 120 is so small especially when a good portion of it is used to compress air.

I was going to post this exact same thing. I have a Thermal Dynamics Drag-Gun that I purchased a few years ago. It is a 120V unit with a built-in air compressor. I bought it mainly for autobody work.
It works great on sheetmetal, I love the machine and it has always worked perfect even in a very dusty enviroment. However, on 1/8" steel it will severence cut it but shes running hard and the cut leaves alot to be desired.

Unless you NEED portability AND self-contatined-Buy something else. I would knowing what I know now.