Should I get a plasma cutter/will I use it

[Burt Shaver]

If this is something that ends up being used twice a year, is a warranty really that important? If it fails on the third use and the warranty is already expired, it didn't really do much for you. At least with the cheap ones, if it fails, it's just a throwaway thing anyway. You just buy another one

Good point,

 

[oldtractors]

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.

Plasma will deal with rusty thin metal far better than Oxy acetylene and the run cost is way cheaper than running a acetylene torch.

 

[zendriver]

Our Hypertherm seems to want the tip in contact with the work. Not sure if I could just get a non-contact gun for it.

One accessory I'd love to have is a gouging tip. Being able to cut welds at 90 degrees would be nice.

Good point.

My unit is a pilot arc design, so it doesn’t need to make contact

 

[Rockable]

Most of my work is auto restoration/modification. Besides saws and lots of cut off tools, I have an oxy acetylene rig and a plasma cutter. I don't use either frequently but I use the oxy acetylene 2-3 times as much. When I need it, the plasma is good to have. When you need to heat something up to bend it or to unfreeze a stuck fastener, the oxy is great to have. YMMV

 

[OccupantRJ]

It's exactly why I bought one a few years ago.



Careful though cause the garage can go from looking like this



to this just a few years later

Addiction is real.

 

[KwikFab]

Addiction is real.

I can quit at any time!

 

[OccupantRJ]

I can quit at any time!

You **** your friends and I’ll **** mine. Let’s not **** each other.

 

[Chris Stapley]

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

You would want a pilot controlled plasma cutter for dealing with rusty ****,this unit is a scratch start,they do not like
trying to start or contact on dirty rusty,painted material..

 

[Chris Stapley]

Do yourself a favour and just buy this from Amazon brand new!
amazon.ca/Reboot-Voltage-Inverter-Portable-Cutting/dp/B0DTHVYQ48/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=2JFC08TQ98D4L&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.INgurXifMyjqRILzwxmfXqaqgfv7sMSQiCyjlKEddPBnTWexrYmtoWQPUm0Z_Udy7zw8ItilgZu0a0M1oxk8xXkDPR7vECyXt17u91WZU7zQFzUboPWNMLSJNQNX7SyNoX3n9SpIh8vy0D2Nxf5-zDIfITX_DtyYa_5iStd9FySpyx_Jg35jQ1vwVU37rC858D1DsJKCAdMe5pYGTks57O4L-0iklcFMrlCahQOK5D0DMWtF7lDfhbOPHa5wcj2hGXekr7NDkN_P6n3DM__RKMeh6czZ7uNfp44SEuYRzi0.5OCIVKzRy1YCmOGvr2T4vkf-aDJh9MAVY23vXD3mLs0&dib_tag=se&keywords=pilot+arc+plasma+cutter&qid=1784570854&sprefix=pilto+arc+plasma%2Caps%2C1761&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

 

[Steve_P]

I have an OA torch set and a plasma cutter. As a hobbyist I don't use either very often but they both serve their purpose. Plasma goes thru steel like butter even after 1 minute of practice. And with a guide bar its a straight cut for a new user. Sorry but I'm nowhere near as clean w my OA torch as a very occasional cutter with it. OA torch rules for heating nuts, heating plate to bend.... No regrets on having both although I've had OA for 30+ years and plasma for one.