Plasma Cutters: School me

[JonnyMac]

So. I don't have any experience with these but I just had a battle with some stainless sheet and im now considering one
Firstly im in australia and used equipment is almost non existent.
I really dont want to spend a huge amount and its only for sheet metal so big power isn't needed, but many years ago I bought a cheap mig welder which basically performed terribly and im trying to not get caught like that again. I don't plan to use it relentlessly so duty cycle isn't that important.

What are the do's and don'ts when it comes to choosing a model...
I'm not a fan of combination machine's which many of these seem to be.

 

[rlitman]

What sort of stainless sheet battles are you facing?
What gauge, and what sort of cutting?

I've got a plasma cutter, but if my 16 gauge electric shear or 14 gauge nibbler work, I'll always reach for them first.

 

[Kielbasavw]

We're your troubles using a cutting torch?

I use a Miller Spectrum 375 X-Treme . Works awesome

 

[JonnyMac]

Thin sheet. Less than 1mm. I have a nibbler but I want to cut out a pattern thats in the middle of the sheet. So a grinder with a disc isnt able to give me the tight turns and so I drilled a few pilots and used a jigsaw but it put a few too many creases in it for my liking..

 

[rlitman]

Gotcha. Yeah a plasma is good for that if a little burnt edge is ok.

 

[Davi]

r-tech are supposed to be quite good but no 1st hand experience

 

[cnc-me]

Clean dry air is the key, with any of them.
I own a large Miller (Spectrum 1250 MG) and I'm less than thrilled with it. Uses way to many consumables.
If you can get a Hypertherm go for it. Have heard some good things about them.