Plasma Cutter for enthusiast?

What is the best plasma cutter out there for a Hot Rod enthusiast to use at home for under $1000?

Thanks.

 

I have the Miller 375c cutmate that when I bought it new was under 1000 dollars about seven years ago. I am not sure what one costs today but I haven't found anything that it wouldn't cut as far as using it as an hobbyiest. Mine is setup as a 220 volt machine.

 

Purchased the miller 375 extreme at a show last year. I think somewhere around 1200 bones, but they threw in the circle cutter adaptor($140) and the storage case for free. Good cutting power in a VERY small package, with interchangeable 110V, 220V, and generator-type receptacles to truly be a portable plasma cutter. Said to sever up to 5/16ths. It seemed to struggle cutting 1/4" plate, but in hindsight I may have been trying to go too fast.

 

my plasma was made in Italy and sold in the USA by various venders , Daytona Mig is one of them. i think Matco sold them too. i did not buy it from them , but i do get consumables from them when i need them

it's probably not the best one out there , but it has served me well for over 17 years. i paid under $400 at the time. it runs on 110 and will cut 1/8 cleanly , 3/16 with a ruff edge sometimes. i really only use it for thin stuff

here is a link: http://store.daytonamig.com/handyplasma250.html

 

Spend a few hundred more and get a hypertherm. They are made to run off 110,220 or 440 and cut up to 1/2 inch I think. I bought mine used for 800 bucks and its one of the best investments I've made.

 

The miller 375 extreme was well worth the $1200. Running on 120/240 makes it versatile.

 

What this guy said. Hypertherm simply cannot be topped.

 

i have the miller 375 extreme,i think its great.i also have the circle cutter use it a lot. now they have the 675 extreme,wish they would have had it when i got mine.

 

I know most guys hate the Chinese junk. But I bought a Lotos.........even sounds cheap. Here is the web site. www.uwelding.com.

We used it on our streamliner. We had a Hypertherm and it crapped out. So the cost of the repairs was going to be double the cost of this machine. Jack and I bought one and it is awesome. Works great. In fact my buddies who run a production shop loved it so much they bought one and the combo Tig plasma. I know. I am like you. How could it be any good. Well the guys who have them like them. Good warranty. The consumables are unersal and are double ended and are about 1 dollar each.
My buddy was making a water fall sculpture in his shop. Cut a few sheets of 1/4 inch 4x8 feet sheets a day and could not believe how awesome it was. He cut more metal in one day than I would cut in a few years. So I bought one. And for how much I use it I am really happy.
I know I will be getting ripped up for this post. Oh well.

 

Check out Thermal Dynamics, and price consumables (tips etc.) before you buy.

Later, Mark

 

Thermal Dynamics invented the plasma cutter, makes the torches for Miller and having three of their plasma cutters I can certainly admit to being biased.

 

I run a small fabrication shop I have owned to Thermal Dynamics plasma cutters and have loved them!!!

 

I have the Miller 375 X-treme also. I was on a $1000 budget. After looking at the different brands and models, I decided I wouldn't be happy if I got a cheaper one and decided to save up the extra $200 and get the X-treme. I love it.

 

I have a 220v HTP I've been fairly happy with. Quite small, rated for 5/16 or 3/8, but takes a few passes to get through 1/4. Dry air helps no matter what you have. Haven't had to call for support yet but it's about rme for some consumables. Bought it about 4 years ago and have used it occasionally. Should be better now that I'm building a rod and not a rock crawler that needs everything extra strong, meaning thicker. Used it to blast out a portion of the firewall, worked great.

 

go down to your local welding supply shop and have them let you use one. find out if the current model of the one you like is due for any updates soon. if consumables are hard to get or spendy it ruins the "bargain machine" deal.

 

I'm in Australia and had one of first imported Thermal Dynamics Pac 3's , bought it in the '70's , still goes strong , mighty machine ......

Cheers Steve in Oz

 

My vote is hypertherm. I bought a powermax 30 way less lhen a grand new. It only has one style of comsumables can sever 5/8th stock 1/4 in. and thinner like butter. Cord adapter switchable between 110 and 220 volt source and very small and light.

 

I love my hypertherm, had it for about 6 years, no problems.
keep your air clean, and dry will help the consumables alot longer

 

I bought one of these Plasma cut 60. They had a first go around with an older style that would blow the mosfets which are penny items. Mine blew about 9 months after using and they fixed the problem by completely redesigning the machine. Talk about a work horse, it has cut through everthing I have thown at it. I love that they did away with the strike arc.
You can check out the video's on youtube by typing in everlast. You can make him an offer privately. I got the old machine for under $500 including shipping and they exchanged the old for the new for free and its twice the machine. The Power Plasma 60 has two handles and is twice the machine as the 50. The fan is enough to cool the whole shop!! LOL!!
http://www.everlastgenerators.com/PowerPlasma 60-317-pd.html

 

Hobart Air force 250
Well under a grand and runs off 110v

 

http://www.airgas.com/browse/product.aspx?Msg=RecID&recIds=18933&WT.svl=18933

I have this one, 800 Canuck bucks. Excellent for sheetmetal. Will cut thicker in a pinch with some patience.

 

I have a Miller. It works great!!!

 

I bought a little Hobart from MSC mailorder. It's about the size of a briefcase and cuts 1/4 very well, 3/8 pretty ugly. Easy to carry and uses 110 or 220. If you want a bigger,better one go with the Hypertherm.

 

I have a thermal dynamics,works grate BUT you have to keep the air dry and clean to work good.

 

I got a brand new Harris P20 plasma cutter off Ebay for $400. It's the same unit as the Lincoln P20 and it normally retails for $1000. The seller was local to So Cal so I just went and picked it up so there was no shipping hassles. Just keep an eye out and you'll find a good deal.

 

Another for the Miller 375 xtreme, a couple bucks more than your budget ($avg 1200ish) but worth it.

I have used it to cut cars apart and to make fine designs in sheet. I rarely pull out my torches unless its to heat bend.

 

Esab, I have the 650, cuts up to 3/4, but is 1600 new but shop craigslist for cheaper, they have smaller ones and I am just happy with the quality and smoothness of the cut.
I bought mine from the hamb classifieds, esab 650 plasma and esab 203 migmaster w/profax for 1400. for both.

 

miller 375 here.........great machine for what I do.....

 

What does a plasma do that a cutting torch or sheet metal cutters can't do? Is this more of a case of convenience

 

HaHa....YOU DA MAN!!!!! ESAB PowerCut 650.....use it almost daily in my shop...great machine.....gets the big stuff and cuts thin sheet like butter.......