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plasma cutter
- Thread starter brownbagg
- Start date
, what do you reccomend, want to spend about 1knate379
Banned
Zrexxer
Well-known member
You're going to have to be more specific than that. What are your specific needs? If you're needing to cut 3/4" plate, you're SOL with a $1K budget. If on the other hand your needs are in the 1/4" or less range, there are several options that will fill the bill nicely. One being the TD Cutmaster 39.
FlameOut
Well-known member
I just bought a Hypertherm Powermax 30. Actually just received it yesterday so haven't had much time to play around with it, but the time I did have, I was cutting out the trunk pan of my car and it went through it like butter, and that was using the 110v (can also be used with 220v)
From the research I did, two of the best you can get are either a Thermal Dynamics (like the two posters above recommended) or Hypertherm.
For me it was a toss up between the Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 39 and the Hypertherm Powermax 30. Both pretty much have same specs and same price, right at $1k with free shipping (I tried to buy local, but they wanted $1130 + tax)
From the research I did, two of the best you can get are either a Thermal Dynamics (like the two posters above recommended) or Hypertherm.
For me it was a toss up between the Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 39 and the Hypertherm Powermax 30. Both pretty much have same specs and same price, right at $1k with free shipping (I tried to buy local, but they wanted $1130 + tax)
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Bigrhamr
Well-known member
Hypertherm pretty much has the leading edge in technology and TD is the other industry leader. I've had both, right now running a Hypertherm PMX 1650 100 amp three phase machine and a PMX 45 which is one of the latest Hypertherm products. The 45 amp PMX 45 has cut capacity comparable to a slightly older 60 amp machine with greatly improved cut quality and consumable life. The 30 is a comparable machine with less output and I would look real hard at it for your price range. Click on my ebay link to see some stuff cut with the 45.
38Chevy454
Well-known member
Just as with many things, bigger is better. I would suggest to get one that is bigger than you think you need, you will always come up with something thicker that the extra cutting power is going to help. A 220 V machine is going to be what you should get.
I have an older Lincoln Pro-Cut 25 (or named something like that) and it runs off 110 V. The real capacity is pretty limited, I would say 0.125 inch for nice cuts. Great for sheetmetal, not so great for large thick brackets on a rearend for example.
I have an older Lincoln Pro-Cut 25 (or named something like that) and it runs off 110 V. The real capacity is pretty limited, I would say 0.125 inch for nice cuts. Great for sheetmetal, not so great for large thick brackets on a rearend for example.
FlameOut
Well-known member
The TD 39 and Powermax 30 are both dual voltage, so you can use them with either 110v or 220v. The Powermax 30 has the 220v twist lock plug from the unit, but also comes with two additional adapters. Another 220 plug and one for 110. Very convenient. Take all of 5 seconds to convert from one to the other
from my research and talking to a few distributers, hypertherm is the best out there. I just picked up a powermax 30. It can be used for either 110 or 220, internal regulator, cuts 1/4-3/8" without issue, long lasting/cheap consumable parts etc etc. Take a look at it, I picked it up from one of the larger ebay distributers for under a grand I think. Local places couldnt come close to the price.
krooser
Well-known member
I have a Thermal Dynamic Cutmaster 38... a nice unit I bought used off of FleaBay for $600.00. As usual, the one I bought isn't big enough... I really need a 1/2" machine but this will have to do for the next year or two.
I'd look for a good used machine... you can get more for less...gotta be lots available at your local dealer or on CL.
I'd look for a good used machine... you can get more for less...gotta be lots available at your local dealer or on CL.
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I bought an ESAB 875 on ebay brand new. It came with all the factory tags and tyraps still on it.
Got lucky and got it for 675$ & 25$ shipping to upstate NY.
Nominal capacity is 7/8"
I would recommend keeping an eye on ebay, be patient and only buy NIB (new in box) listings.
You can get something good for 1K$, it's what I was ready to pay and what the ESAB 875's usually go for on the 'bay.
Good luck!
Got lucky and got it for 675$ & 25$ shipping to upstate NY.
Nominal capacity is 7/8"
I would recommend keeping an eye on ebay, be patient and only buy NIB (new in box) listings.
You can get something good for 1K$, it's what I was ready to pay and what the ESAB 875's usually go for on the 'bay.
Good luck!