Budget Plasma Cutters ?

[YY1]

I found a recent discussion on "name brand" plasma cutters, but I don't have $1500 to spend. I know you get what you pay for most of the time. With that being said, has anyone bought/used these? I've seen some good reviews on 4x4 and general hot rod forums.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150623791993&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390326102518&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT


How about consumable availablity?

Do the ones with gauges have built in compressors, or is that just a regulator?

I'm looking for something a step up from harbor Freight.


Any input appreciated.

 

[moparpoor]

Its worth a try,they have good ratings as far as top-rated seller.You can't buy a used plasma cutter even close to that.

 

[darkhorse]

I think alot depends on your application and amount of usage. Are you going to try to cut alot of 1/4" plate or using just to cut your 18-22gauge sheet metal..? these factors are important on what machine well handle your work load. IMO

 

[Cranky]

I think you should do your homework before laying any amount of money on China made crap. If something goes bad in the machine, you could be out of luck as far as replacement parts go....

 

[YY1]

I've seen good and very bad comments on the HF units. I've seen only good about the "Cut50" family. Interesting that they seem to have different colored cases from different vendors, but are all named "Cut50".

I've seen two used ones in pawn shops. One was a Firepower, which I believe is made by Tweco, the MIG gun people. It was the smallest one I have ever seen and had no controls other than an on/off switch. The price was $900. The other one I didn't recognize the brand name, but it wasn't Thermal Dynamics or HyperTherm, and their price was $400 all scratched up with paint splatters on it.

I'd spend $400 for a good "second tier" unit. I just don't know if there are any made.

I did lots of homework before buying my Hobart 140 MIG.
I got exactly the unit I wanted for exactly what I wanted to spend.
$260 used, with regulator and a small bottle.

Just seems like plasma cutters are even more difficult to research.
...and harder to find used.

Hows ESAB? I'm not familiar with that brand.

 

[Cranky]

Don't know much about the ESAB except for welding rods. I bought a Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 51 from an Ebay store and it was several hundred less than any of the locals quoted me but it was still over 1000 bucks....and of course, I found a couple on Craigslist right after for around 500. In the Houston area, there's always lots of machines on CL.....

 

[66_B_Body4ever]

I think you should do your homework before laying any amount of money on China made crap. If something goes bad in the machine, you could be out of luck as far as replacement parts go....

Like ol' Cranky says, the biggest problem with non-name brand equipment is lack of consumables available for these machines. Insulators, electrodes and nozzles are always being chewed up. Search around, there are good deals to be had on name brand machines, just have to look.

One other thing that anyone buying a plasma cutter must consider if they are using compressed air from their compressor, is the air has to be very dry and clean, as in no oil or water. This can not be over stated for the longevity/performance of the machine.

 

[Propwash]

I bought a HyperTherm a few months ago and love it! Makes my life 10 times easier cutting out old rot and making patches or whatever. Will never be without again. Yes they are pricey, but with tools and equipment you pretty much always get what you pay for.

66 B Body4ever is correct..You need nice dry, clean air or you'll be burning up consumables like mad and shorten the life of you machine. When I was shopping around for mine that really wasn't a factor considering I have dry/clean air in the garage, but along the way I did notice MFG's like Hobart build a cutter with a built in air supply. So that's an option for you if you don't have suitable air to provide the unit with. The flip side is they don't have the same amount of cutting power as the regular units.

As far a ESAB, I couldn't imagine those being any cheaper. In fact they probably would be more expensive. As far as consumables for my machine, I can go to any Airgas or Praxxair and easily get parts. There is always the internet as well. That Chinese stuff...I can just imagine there would be issues.

I'd say save up for a couple more months and buy yourself a Miller, Hypertherm, Thermal Dynamics or a Hobart Machine, but that's just my opinion.

Good luck what ever way you go!

 

[sawdoff]

Esab has a very good rep. If im not mistaken I was told they own the technology. A guy that used to work for me parttime travelled the world repairing cruiseships as they travelled. Esab was all that crew would use. I havent heard any complaints on them But it is definitely not the cheapest. Im in the market for a plasma too. Im leaning toward esab or hobart.

 

[Risko1]

PM me if interested in buying...I can get you a deal on a Longevity Plasma Cutter.

 

[sawdoff]

Well i found me one. A guy on ebay had 2 new ones. Its a hobart 500i. BIN 1199 free shipping. Only used it a couple times so far but i love it. Im in the same way of thinking you get what you pay for (especially tools). A neighbor has an old sand quarry that said i can scrap anything i find for half so it shouldnt take long to pay for.

 

[Cranky]

Well i found me one. A guy on ebay had 2 new ones. Its a hobart 500i. BIN 1199 free shipping. Only used it a couple times so far but i love it. Im in the same way of thinking you get what you pay for (especially tools). A neighbor has an old sand quarry that said i can scrap anything i find for half so it shouldnt take long to pay for.

Amen to that. I learned a long time ago that if I buy quality tools, they will more than pay me back 20 fold. So far, I haven't found too many things from China that can do that. Also, I don't like having to go out and RE-buy a tool that I have bought already because it failed while using it or just died while laying in the tool box. That hasn't happened very often with quality tools no matter what country they came from (except ones made in China) and most quality tools state where they were made in the advertising while sheet from China generally doesn't. I do have to say I bought a new Taiwan made vice 30 years ago that I haven't been able to break yet! I started looking for one like it in the past few years and none of them seen to have the quality anymore.

 

[sawdoff]

Learned that lesson early. My grandfather was amazing. He could literally build anything he set his mind to. He taught us all to buy the best tool you could afford. Years ago my uncle came in with a new $90 blade for the radial arm saw. Papaw asked why so much. My uncle said dad you always told me to by the best. The old man laughed and said youre right son. Papaw left this world in may of 95 and that blade is still on the saw.

 

[moparpoor]

I just bought the miller 625.They had a demo hear locally and large discounts.Retail is 1990.00 I paid 1450.00 and also recieved 20% off all other Items purchased.Its a great piece of equipment,not quite needed for the DIY.

 

[pgkeating]

I think your on the right track......

I'd rather have a used quality tool, than a *new* Chinese version any day!

Just my .02

 

[Southernman]

Guys, I bought the Hypertherm several years ago as well, and it's been a great machine. However, I've got a couple buddies that introduced me to Parker Metalworks.

They're an American company that specialize in conversion of the cheap Chinese units to create some really _ss kicking machines - at a mere fraction of the cost for brand name units. I recommend you go checkout their video clips to see their machines.

At half the cost, they've got machines that significanly out perform my unit, and they come with the same warranties.

Just thought I'd share:

http://www.parkermetalworking.com/parkermp100223_002.htm

Southernman

 

[YY1]

OK, I found a Thermal Dynamics Pak 25 at a pawn shop for $500.

Anyone know what to look for on that model that might make it not a good deal?

 

[YY1]

How about a "Drag-Gun" by Thermal Dynamics?

It has a built in compressor, and I've heard that's not always a good thing.

It IS at T-D unit, though.

PAK-25 has an amp adjust control- Drag-Gun does not.
BIg deal?