Should I get a plasma cutter/will I use it

[Burt Shaver]

I seen a CUT50 plasma cutter for sale on marketplace for 150.00 CDN, It’s dual 110/220 volt. I would only have a 110 /15amp circuit to run it on so I guess the most I could cut with it is 1/4” ?
I don’t really have a use in my mind presently but it’s super cool. I currently do all my own repairs on our vehicles, kids vehicles, my ATV’s, snowmobiles and seadoo’s as well as all our own home maintenance and repairs. I will need to make some repairs to my dump trailer one of these years soon and I have an interest in doing some body work but have never done any. I have a Lincoln Mig Pak 40 welder that I use very occasionally but it is handy to have when I need it, I bought that used as well for a good price so I’m happy to have it. I was thinking for 150.00 the plasma cutter would be the same?
Do I need some type of gas for a plasma cutter?

 

[Crazyjake8493]

You need compressed air to run a plasma cutter, typically using a regular shop air compressor.

I've been wanting to get one, and I would definitely find uses for it once I have it. I've just been waiting until I really need it before I buy one so I don't let part of the warranty period go by while it sits in the box in the garage for too long.

I really could've used one in the past instead of burning through cutoff discs and jigsaw blades.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Do I need some type of gas for a plasma cutter?

You need compressed air and a lot of it. Check the specs on the tool for the requirements !

 

[Burt Shaver]

AI says 90 to 100 psi at 4.5cfm . I will need to go check my tiny shop compressor, it’s pretty small so I doubt it will do it, I’m positive the compressor I use for duct cleaning would though

 

[Burt Shaver]

Darn, I went back to it to message and it was sold

 

[PCustoms]

I have a Lincoln Mig Pak 40 welder that I use very occasionally

If you use the welder very occasionally, you'd probably use the plasma cutter about half as much, if that.

Probably for the best this one got away

 

[carlaisle]

For future reference, 115v will generally struggle to cut 1/4". It will do 3/16" fine. If you're not going to be increasing electrical service, a torch would be better suited to cutting.

 

[OccupantRJ]

I have a Thermal Arc Pak3xr that I bought cheap from friend and member Beyond1. Works fine. So far I have used it twice in ten years. I tend to do more repair and refurb work these days than fab work as I once did years ago.

 

[Burt Shaver]

Would a plasma cutter be the appropriate tool to cut out rusty pieces on my dump trailer? I can take some pics tomorrow

 

[whateg01]

A plasma cutter certainly could do that job. You may find that once you start cutting into it, by the time you get to good metal you've cut away 90% of the trailer. Btw, they do make or at least used to make plasma cutters with built-in compressors. As a plasma cutter, I don't think they were ever that great, but the convenience of not having a separate compressor I suppose does have some value. Of course a lot of those are older and not supported and probably hard to find parts for nowadays. I also think that you would struggle to run one of those off of a 15 amp 120 volt circuit even if they made them in 120 volt models.

 

[finn]

Would a plasma cutter be the appropriate tool to cut out rusty pieces on my dump trailer? I can take some pics tomorrow

Yup. Perfect application.

 

[jack stand]

They're not as cheap, but if you don't have an oxygen/acetelene rig in your shop for basic freeing or heating of parts along with the cutting abilities, I'd start there.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I've found they are great for demo work, also where having stored tanks is a problem. We can demo large boilers in place without oxy/act tanks which can't be stored in the building. Plus I uses the buildings power so that saves some$$$. In the field or the shop i use them alot, just size it accordingly.

 

[zimman]

Would a plasma cutter be the appropriate tool to cut out rusty pieces on my dump trailer? I can take some pics tomorrow

It'll spit and sputter (grounding is important) but it will work. I've done a few cars, including my Nova using a Miller.
Zim

 

[Bert_]

I got a 50A prime weld last December. I love it. It's hard to justify because you can do most of the same stuff with a cutoff wheel. But I don't use a cutoff wheel very much now.

I've cut 5/8 with mine. It wasn't super happy about it but it did it. 1/2" is no problem.

 

[djbmw]

Darn, I went back to it to message and it was sold

Im surprised it sold for that much!
They are $160 brand new from Amazon without a pilot arc... and $210 with a pilot arc.

If you use a cut off wheel often enough right now, your plasma will replace 80% of that work and will get the job done in a fraction of the time. Consumable cost is similar to a cut off wheel as well.

Longevity of a chinesium cut50 from amazon tends to be in the ~15 to 20 year range (or 250 hr-ish range) before components start becoming crispy.

 

[Burt Shaver]

got a 50A prime weld last December. I love it. It's hard to justify because you can do most of the same stuff with a cutoff wheel

In my mind I pictured the plasma cutter being able to cut inside bends where there are pillars and such easier than a cut off wheel, I also find the cut off wheels dangerous because they can explode. It’s never happened to me but it happened to a fellow I once worked with.

I've cut 5/8 with mine. It wasn't super happy about it but it did it. 1/2" is no problem

That’s 220v correct?

 

[Burt Shaver]

Im surprised it sold for that much!
They are $160 brand new from Amazon without a pilot arc

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07GB3T4KG?ref=cm_sw_r_cso_cp_mwn_dp_KATBJA65TP132C7535MT_1&ref_=cm_sw_r_cso_cp_mwn_dp_KATBJA65TP132C7535MT_1&social_share=cm_sw_r_cso_cp_mwn_dp_KATBJA65TP132C7535MT_1

The one I seen ion Amazon Canada was 289.00 plus tax.
The one in the ad looked brand new

 

[Bert_]

In my mind I pictured the plasma cutter being able to cut inside bends where there are pillars and such easier than a cut off wheel, I also find the cut off wheels dangerous because they can explode. It’s never happened to me but it happened to a fellow I once worked with.

That’s 220v correct?

It does everything easier and faster than a cutoff wheel. But it doesn't do a lot that you can't do with a cutoff wheel.

Mine is dual voltage just like what you are looking at.

120v is nice to be able to use it out somewhere on a regular extension cord. But if you are doing much cutting you will get tired of tripping the breaker.

If you're using it in the shop just wire a 240v plug

 

[zendriver]

Suggest not even getting hung up on one "brand". If they lunch most are throw away items, anyway.

have a 50A "Bestarc" that's about $30 less than I paid for one two years ago. I've used it a total of three times. Works great. If I were to wear it out i'd get another. If it unexpectedly quit, I'd get something else.

There are worse things to spend a couple of hundred on.

 

[PhantomEB]

I have the HeroCut Cut35i, my little compressor ain’t up to snuff but I can tell you when I upgrade the power to my garage over here in Medicine Hat Alberta, I plan to get another compressor like I had plus 20 amps down both sides of the shop. I very well could see myself getting the ArcCaptain 55 or even 65 plasma cutter. This ArcCaptain multiprocess was a game changer for me over my old Miller 175 MiG.

 

[Bert_]

I'm surprised at all the talk about not having enough air. I see some millwright guys running them with a pancake compressor. My 1.5hp has never struggled.

Maybe if it was on a CNC table doing constant cutting. Normal people will never have an issue

 

[willf650]

Would a plasma cutter be the appropriate tool to cut out rusty pieces on my dump trailer? I can take some pics tomorrow

I’m not a welder by any means but bought a cheap one similar to what you posted and used it for more or less that exact purpose.

I cut out frame sections on my jeep and welded in replacement sections on it. Have used my welder 3-4 more times since and the plasma cutter has sat on a shelf.

 

[neophyte]

You can cut 1/4” steel with a decent jigsaw.
The cuts would likely also be cleaner.

 

[Burt Shaver]

I’m not a welder by any means but bought a cheap one similar to what you posted and used it for more or less that exact purpose.

I cut out frame sections on my jeep and welded in replacement sections on it. Have used my welder 3-4 more times since and the plasma cutter has sat on a shelf.

You have it if you need it though

 

[Beerhippie]

I'm surprised at all the talk about not having enough air. I see some millwright guys running them with a pancake compressor. My 1.5hp has never struggled.

Maybe if it was on a CNC table doing constant cutting. Normal people will never have an issue

Average DIY guy is not going to be making continuous cuts for long enough to cause compressor problems.

If you're shopping for a plasma cutter, check what kind of handpiece it has. The "drag" contact ones are most common, but make getting a truly clean cut in thicker metals difficult. Non-contact tips are better for that. Some contact tips are better for making guided cuts--using a straight-edge or template. Our Hypertherm uses a contact tip that is not well designed for guided cuts.

 

[Burt Shaver]

Some contact tips are better for making guided cuts--using a straight-edge or template

This was something I had been thinking about. Knowing next to nothing about plasma cutters I was wondering if there were ways to make guided cuts. So you’re saying the contact tips are better for making guided cuts correct? The little machine I posted makes cuts using a contact tip? Correct? So I could make guided cuts with it? Different tips are available for machines? What are you looking for in a tip that you can make guided cuts with ?

 

[NUTTSGT]

A plasma cutter is one of those tools you don't use all the time but when you need it, you'll be glad you have it.

If you're young, it makes it easier to justify the tool purchase because you have a lifetime to use it. However, on the flip side, when you're older, you can generally spend more on tools than when you were younger.

 

[gimpyrobb]

I haven't seen anyone mention, they should use as dry of air as possible. Your consumable consumption will be high if not.