Torch or plasma cutter

[hallboyone]

which do you find more useful. I have an oxy acetylene torch that I honestly have used for cutting only and I'm thinking about selling it for this.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004VFJL14/?tag=atomicindus08-20

What do you think. Tight know the current project is restoring a classic car and so that would be a factor. Thanks for any input.

hallboyone

 

[rlitman]

You can't heat with a plasma. I have both, and use them about equally. I prefer to cut with the plasma, but my torch is indispensable. My plasma is not.

That, and I wouldn't touch a Chinese plasma cutter with a 10 foot pole, even if it were given to me.

 

[Mike007]

which do you find more useful. I have an oxy acetylene torch that I honestly have used for cutting only and I'm thinking about selling it for this.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004VFJL14/?tag=atomicindus08-20

What do you think. Tight know the current project is restoring a classic car and so that would be a factor. Thanks for any input.

hallboyone

I have both. If I had to give up one, I'd have an O/A torch. That plasma in the link is Chinese junk. Honestly, I wouldn't waste my money on it. Look for a used Hypertherm or one of the other major brands.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

Chinese mig is ok. I have one. Not so sure I would get a Chinese plasma cutter. Like mentioned before the torch can heat, weld, and cut. It's very versatile

 

[hallboyone]

Thanks for the info. I was going off of the reviews that look good. I have to ask, what makes ya'll say that it is bad? personal experience or hearsay? How much would a decent plasma cutter go for?

 

[theknurl]

keep the O/A

 

[hallboyone]

That will save me some time. I guess that I'll be happy with what I've got. Thanks.
hallboyone

 

[rlitman]

Thanks for the info. I was going off of the reviews that look good. I have to ask, what makes ya'll say that it is bad? personal experience or hearsay? How much would a decent plasma cutter go for?

I'm not going to start bashing Chinese plasma cutters on this thread. Google will bring up hundreds of horror stories, and all sorts of vehement arguments for/against. It's been argued to death with 2/3's of the comments being along the lines of "I/we told you so".

A Hypertherm Powermax 30 can be had for around $1000. That is a FINE machine as a baseline for comparison. Decent used, working, made in the USA machines can be found on CL for as little as $500, but unless you know what you're getting into, an older machine may not be the best choice.

Look, I own a plasma cutter (actually two at the moment, but that's another story) because it's freaken awesome. That's all there is to it. It cuts, with PLASMA. How cool is that.
But as I said above, I'd get by just fine without a plasma cutter. I can't say the same about the torch.

 

[bobcatdan]

A torch is pretty much a must have tool for a shop. A plasma cutter is a luxury for most people outside of a diehard fabricator.

 

[srmofo]

http://www.weldmark.com/

I have one of these and its been great. None of the issues commonly associated with chinese plasmas. I picked it up at my local welding store. commonly available consumables and they carry parts for it.

I guess their co-op wanted to start carrying a plasma for the hobbyist that would compete with all the chinese ****. I searched CL high and low for several years for a used hypertherm that wasnt beat to **** and nearly the price of a new unit. I never did find one. I found a few decent deals on monster hypertherms but it was honestly just too much machine for too much money (a good deal on a several thousand dollar machine is still several thousand dollars).

I think their website has a co-op locator so maybe you can find a supplier close. Still wouldnt give up a torch for it though

Edit added a picture (non vented rotor).Went through it like butter. Also forgot to mention the only thing I did to it when I bought was upgrade the ground clamp, It was a little flimsy and I knew it was only a matter time before it caused me issues.

 

[Brians VWss]

I have a blue cut 50 china unit.It appears to be the same as the O/P. Does it cut, yes.
It biggest down fall is the torch well It flat out *****. It is not percise, very delicate as the whole nozzle is the ceramic cup which get hot and cracks. You have to buy a complete kitfor 80.000 just to get the nozzles. I should have looked for a name brand or newer used name brand unit. What ever you get look into the cost of consumables and quality ofthe gun

 

[2mJps]

I bought a torch with the first check i got from my first job i got after i got out of school. I have a small plasma and have worked at shops that had them but it is hard for me to want to use a plasma. One thing i dont like is the setup and put away time of the plasma. If i was rich i would have a place were a plasma was set up and ready to use all the time. I do alot of fab work. I build all my trailers,flatbeds,towdollys,presses,and any thing else that is made of steel. That being said if some money fell from the sky and i had to use it for some thing in the shop it wouldnt be a biger plasma.

 

[hallboyone]

Thanks guys that just about answered it.

 

[BellyUpFish]

which do you find more useful. I have an oxy acetylene torch that I honestly have used for cutting only and I'm thinking about selling it for this.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004VFJL14/?tag=atomicindus08-20

What do you think. Tight know the current project is restoring a classic car and so that would be a factor. Thanks for any input.

hallboyone

I'm currently trying to make the same decision.. I think in your spot, I'd keep the O/A and pick up the cutter. I wouldn't unload one to get the other.

The Lotos LT and LTP both have excellent reviews at Amazon. The big question for me is how many of these reviews are legit. I think you actually have to have purchased the item to leave a review, but I have heard 1 story of "consumables for a positive review" by Lotos.

There are quite a few videos on YouTube of these cutters, they seem to be plenty good for shop use.

I think many times folks get caught up in the business mindset - are you using this tool to make $$$?

For me, a $450 plasma cutter and a $200 OA kit from HF (made by Victor, supposedly) seems to make more sense than a $1,000 Hypertherm.

All that said, I'm still researching..

 

[bcradio]

I guess I am the odd man out here. I have not ever had a need for an OA setup and I do not foresee needing one anytime in the near future. A plasma on the other hand is very useful for cutting anything I need (metal).

 

[K13]

I guess I am the odd man out here. I have not ever had a need for an OA setup and I do not foresee needing one anytime in the near future. A plasma on the other hand is very useful for cutting anything I need (metal).

I am in the same boat. I build cars as a hobby and I think maybe once wished I had a O/A to do something and ended up finding a different way to do it. I use my Plasma a lot.

 

[GRX]

As has been said, it really depends on the task at hand. And everyone is different. Find myself doing most all cutting with the plasma. But for heating, a torch can't be beat. That said, I use Oxy/Propane mostly now. Cheaper, plus cleaner burning than oxy/acetylene. Which makes oxy/pro good for brazing and soldering. One thing to remember, the oxy/pro flame has a different heat profile. Less temp difference between inner & outer flame than oxy/ace.

 

[sixleaker]

I have a china man plasma (Eastwood) while i do like it as mentioned above it can never replace a torch.

I know everyone says by a "brand" name plasma but in my opinion you have to be doing a hell of a lot of fab to spend 1g on one
I got my 220v mig and the plasma for around 1g. Gotta love cheap child labor and reverse engineering. Lol j/k.


For the part time garage fab guy I wouldn't waste the money. A torch is more versatile.

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