plasma cutter ?

[dbabicky]

I have the Hobart you, (OP), spoke of. I love it for what it is intended to be used for. Are you gonna cut 1/2 inch steel with it......NO, but it was not built for that. It cuts 1/4 inch and lighter materials just fine and it is more portable. You only need a 110 power source and no compressor. You can take it any where. I love mine !!

 

[crab]

This thread has made me realize that I need to put out the effort to get good with my plasma. I said I don't use it much but I'm afraid that's because I'm not very good with it. Time to fix that.

 

[drmarkr]

I have a Miller 375. Works great for the smaller projects I do around here....bought it in like new condition on CL for $475.

 

[maxpower_hd]

This thread has made me realize that I need to put out the effort to get good with my plasma. I said I don't use it much but I'm afraid that's because I'm not very good with it. Time to fix that.

It does take a little practice to get used to it but it doesn't take too long. A lot less time than welding in my experience.

 

[sberry]

I have a Miller 375. Works great for the smaller projects I do around here....bought it in like new condition on CL for $475.

That is a beaut,

 

[Finky198]

yup another miller user here 625 Extreme Very happy 3 years and counting

But funny story a client ( who I know is far from mechanically inclined) was in the shop a few days ago and saw my Miller unit and was like cool i've alway wanted one of those and then made a comment like aren't those plasma cutter super cheap nowadays like 4-600 bucks... I said maybe if your looking to cut some "TIN FOIL" he Shut up immediately.

when I had to explained how they work. The differences between a $500 unit and a $2000 one. It was like talking to a wall add that to the fact he didn't even know you needed and air compressors. OMG

 

[PoorOwner]

I've been looking at the eastwood one.. on 120V you can make multiple passes to cut off 1/4 right?

I think with plasma you just use a piece of angle to guide against, how (relatively) straight can you cut like this?

 

[Jeeper]

Ditto. I have a miller 625 extreme. Bought it used on Craigslist for 1000. I use it some as I am not an every day metal worker but wanted to try it out. It cuts quick. I am not the most skilled so I do have to clean cuts some but usually that is with a quick chisel to break off dross.

Just used it this past weekend to punch 2 holes in an AR500 1/2" plate that will be used as a shooting target for a friend. Apparently it's really hard to drill.

 

[bcradio]

I know many people with disagree about this, but here's my take:

Manual (not CNC) plasma cutters are the MOST OVERRATED METAL FABRICATION TOOL.

They are expensive, the cut quality *****, clean up time is through the roof, and they make a huge mess. There are many ways to cut metal and the ONLY advantage to manual plasma is rough cut speed. They are very useful for certain applications, but in general, highly overused and overrated.

To answer your question, I have a Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 39 that I bought used. It works well and I have had no issues with it.
Do I regret buying it? NO.
Would I pay full price for one? probably not.
Would I be sad about getting rid of it? not really.
Like I said above, it is very useful for certain applications, but most of the time it sits on the cart while I use a better (and cheaper!) tool for the job.

Just my 2 cents from a hobby fabricator.

-Chris

Nope, I totally agree with you. Definitely not that great of a tool in my eyes and vastly overpriced. I'll stick with my other methods.

 

[maxpower_hd]

I've been looking at the eastwood one.. on 120V you can make multiple passes to cut off 1/4 right?

I think with plasma you just use a piece of angle to guide against, how (relatively) straight can you cut like this?

You can do a severence cut. I never had to yet with my Hypertherm and I have easily done 1/4" angle and plate. But that was on the 240V setting. I haven't had the need to use it on the 120V setting yet.

You can use almost anything for a straight edge. I have used 1x2 strapping, a scrap piece of steel, a speed square...so you can get cuts very straight. You can also make templates with curves out of wood.

 

[willy (traer)]

Interesting...8 replies, and none of them were to the question that was asked.

Make that 9....

 

[Johnny A]

http://www.hobartweldshop.com/factory-refurbished-hobart-airforce-250ci-plasma-cutter/


Found this one listed. However, I need a new roof after last weeks wind/rain storm that hit my house in Massachusetts. I can't afford a roof & a plasma cutter. All on hold for now...

Thanks again for taking the time to help me.

 

[Parrothead]

Interesting...8 replies, and none of them were to the question that was asked.

Isn’t that expected here?

If I want advice about a lawnmower, it’s best to ask about snowmobiles.

 

[metaleltr]

I just bought a Hypertherm 45XP. Great machine, it also has the ability to use some specialty consumable that Hypertherm has developed for some very useful scenarios.

Flushcut and HyAccess.

Flushcut propells the plasma arc from the side of the nozzle allowing you to cut tabs, brackets, bolts or rivets off very close to the surface of your work piece.

HyAccess is an extended nozzle that will allow the torch to reach into areas that would otherwise be impossible.

 

[dantecl]

Hypertherm, either 30XP or 45XP. Buy once, cry once. Top notch stuff that won't let you down.

 

[Wsidr1]

I bought an older Hobart plasma. Thought it just needed a new cup and consumables. Ended up the board was fried. Cheaper to buy a new unit than fix the old one. Wasted lots of money and didn't have the $ to get a new one.... But new or don't get one.

Ha. I had the exact experience. I bought the Hobart Airforce, what 215 model or something, the small one with onboard compressor. I bought it used, from an old guy I knew very well. He had used it maybe 20 minutes total. It was virtually brand new. I used it maybe total about 1 hr, in short bursts.

Same story. After much investigation, turned out motherboard was fried. Hobart applies so much waterproofing coating to the board, they are unrepairable. Two electronics shops turned me away. BTW, I am not a Hobart/Miller hater, as I have a Hobart MIG going on 35yrs old: flawless. I think those P cutters were just flawed/poorly designed.

Hobart quoted me over $900 for the board. When I reminded the sales rep the unit sells NEW for under $900, he laughed and said"yeah, doesn't make much sense, does it!".

I now have a PrimeWeld 60amp ($650) that is one bada$$ machine. You do have to supply air, but it will cut anything the average guy can throw at it. Specs say 20mm single pass on mild steel. Awesome warranty and support.

 

[eyeball]

Don't buy a plasma with a built in air compressor. You will regret it, spend a few dollars more and buy the next size up.

I bought a Hypertherm 30Air a few years ago and have found it to be 100% reliable. The consumables are readily available both locally and online. It works on 120 and 240 volts.

I have used it to cut everything from 22 gauge sheet metal to 1/4 steel. (I think it is rated to 3/8).

What have you found regrettable in your experience with a built in air model?

 

[platypus20]

I have 4 Hypertherms, a PM30XP, a PM45XP, a PM65 and a PM85, one in the truck, one in the shop and usually the other 2 are on job sites. I had one with a build in compressor, worked fine on duct work sheet metal and car bodies, other than that it’s was severely limited. I’ve had at least one of every major brands, but Hypertherm has been the most durable and dependable brand, I’ve ever used.

 

[sweetk30]

hypertherm xp45 for the win from all the reading i did on here . . . and the motoguard filter also from reading here .

bolted to my old 110volt welder cart i built years ago and love it setup this way . the hypertherm is so good it hardly uses the tip parts . i just wapped on my first new center electrode and am still on my outer shield .

 

[NUTTSGT]

Back from the dead thread thanks to a now banned spammer.

 

[sweetk30]

yep but still a good thread from what i saw .

 

[FTG-05]

I have the Everlast PowerPlasma 50S, now replaced by PP 52i. Huge improvement in my productivity in cutting metal and makes welding projects far easier. Great tool to have on hand.

https://www.everlastgenerators.com/product/plasma/powerplasma-52i

 

[Wsidr1]

I bought the Primeweld Cut-60 almost a year ago. It has performed really well. Specs claim 20mm single pass cutting power. I feel that is a bit of a stretch, but I have cut some +20mm steel with it albeit slowly.

Trouble at first finding tips due to slight thread difference in commonly available sources.
But, Primeweld directed me to "George's Plasma Cutter Shop" and he fixed me up.

 

[IRQVET]

I popped for the Hobart 12ci and I'll explain why.

1.) There is something to be said for Hobart quality that I couldn't ignore, as when I buy something, I usually hang onto it forever. I could spend more money (or in some cases less) for a chinese machine (CUT-50, CUT-60) that could out preform the 12ci, but out last a Hobart, I highly dought it- so for me its a trade off I was willing to make for quality.

2.) Price. Not only is the 12ci reasonably priced already, but I got an even deeper discount by going with a factory reconditioned model. Which dropped the sticker price and I got mine for $529 with free shipping. I buy all my Hobart's reconditioned, and I've never had any regrets; you'd be hard pressed to convince someone they weren't brand spanking new. Only downside, sometimes you have to get put on a waiting list by the factory (which was my case) but when a unit became available from the factory I jumped on it. So if your not a big hurry to buy, this is an option and offers deep savings.

3.) Their one of the American Made "Big 3" : Miller, Lincoln, Hobart. And I'd rather spend my money here provided the quality vs. cost are in alinement.

4.) I'm not cutting super heavy material. Mostly 16g sheet metal on old Jeeps and the occasional truck frame. I'm not in production, so if it takes a few minutes longer, who cares, because I'm a hobby guy and I'm not being paid by the hour.

5.) Availablity of parts and consumables that don't need to be special ordered, nor will put me in the poor house. I can pick them up almost everywhere.

I know everyone's reasoning is different. But those were my thoughts, and the Hobart 12ci suited my needs just fine and I am happy with the price, quality, and performance.