Plasma cutter for the poor

I snagged and ESAB PC on Craigslist for $450 - deals are out there.

 

I have a Lincoln procut55 and also a Hypertherm (1250?). The Lincoln SUCKS compared to the Hypertherm. On my CNC table the Lincoln will do 3/8" steel at about 15-20 inches a minute. After about 8-10 brackets to get a clean cut we are slowed down to 8 inches a minute. After about 25 brackets the electrode is gone.

On the otherhand, the Hypertherm will cut 3/8" (about as thick as I normally cut) at 60-65 inches a minute all day long. I also get about 200-250 brackets before electrode goes.

ALL plasmas cut thin crap. The real tests are thicker crap. As for Harbor Frieght. I had a buddy that bought one and if you asked him he said "it cuts like butter" right up to the point he got to compare it to a REAL one. He sold it the next week. Make sure anyone telling you HFs model is good, actually has tried GOOD ones to compare it to.

 

Wow a new way to discriminate!

 

I just bought one of these Everlast units and got it for $515 delivered. It works great . Not sure what others work like as this is the only one I have used. It cuts through 3/8" very clean and fast and I only had it at about 40 amps. Great deal compared to Harbor Freight!!! I negociated the price privately.


http://cgi.ebay.com/EVERLAST-CUT60D...39:1|66:2|65:12|240:1308&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

 

http://syracuse.craigslist.org/tls/837319009.html

 

Cuts up to 1/8"? I'd rather pay an extra $165 and get the one I linked . 1/8" you might as well use a Sawzall!

 

You should also consider renting one. Line up as much work as you can for it and do a bunch of cutting in one day. It's also a good way to see if your electrical can handle the load. At the shop I work at we sell, rent and service welders (incl plasmas) , if someone rents one and then decides he wants to buy one we will often apply the rent to the purchase of a new unit.

 

I bought one off ebay awhile back at $400 and also a TIG for $400 the guy actually had combined models TIG & Plasma in the same unit but I figured buy that and if it broke I had nothing.
Seems he bought a shipment in from China and they all sold off like hot cakes, alot never even got to ebay. I have had it over a year now and it is great, had a little trouble 1st up sourcing consumeables for it but got that sorted before I needed them and it is fine, cuts upto 1/4" plate but I need to change the settings to do that.
Timing is everything for good deals.

 

smith oxy acetelene will do everything You are trying to do with a plasma, and much, much more. no worries about electricity, and it has a 7 inch sever.

at this point, unless I had a need to own a plasma cam, or some other peice of production based equipment, You couldn't make me buy a plasma cutter.

 

That's what I was thinking, your good old torch... Henrob, Smith, whatever...

 

I bought an almost new Hypertherm 380 off of Ebay for $450-there are still deals out there if you look-

 

cheap man pays twice.

 

i bought a miller 220 single phase cuts up to 7/8 steel. i turned it on and tried it once and have never used it again. i didn't think about having to hook up the ground every time, wheel off rust, hook up my compressor every time. i find i always go back to my torch or high speed air tools which i have used for years. anybody want to trade me a old chevy for it?? hahaha.

 

might be a good time to also look for an electrical panel and meter box, might as well upgrade some of your shop wiring. if you get a good one and your electrical supply isn't up to the task,it's possible to damage your equipment. a lot of people put an extra meter on their shop and it's own box, if you ask your local utility, you might be able to get three phase in your shop. worth the money to have it put in.

 

I've got an ESAB Pro Cut 650 and wouldn't take anything for it. It wasn't cheap, but then what good stuff is. Save up your money (I had to) and buy the best you can possibly afford, you won't regret it. Be patient....

 

I vote for something like the Henrob, Cobra, or whatever they call it now! Cheap AND easy! They are a dream come true!!
Check out the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYr9dXiEBO0</EMBED>

 

I use a Hypertherm powermax 1250 for my cnc table ...Love it. I had a Lincoln procut 55. I'd NEVER buy another Lincoln plasma cutter and would advise anyone who was thinking about buying one not to. The Hypertherm was cheaper, consumable life is at least twice, and factory support when you have problems with the Lincoln sucks.
One thing that most people don't think about is how much an air dryer helps cutting and extends consumable life. I took a leap of faith and bought a HF airdryer 4 years ago. It was 1/4 the price of the cheapest one my welding supplier sold...Long story short , The HF unit was the exact same piece the local welding store sold. I've had ZERO problems with the HF air dryer

 

We have a hypertherm 30 in our plant and it works very well! It adusts automatically to the power supply you plug into, comes with adaptors for all sorts of different outlet styles and the consumables are inexpensive. We cut plate, stainless and aluminium. Need a bolt hole? no problems. Very happy with the unit.

 

I like the Henrob but I wouldn't rule out a PC one day. Excellent article in Street Rodder recently.

I had a chance to buy a Lincoln unit from a local artist, after reading the above I may have done the right thing.

 

I agree with Richard Head your pissing away your money on a $600.00 plasma cutter, if you have to wait alittle save up another 500.00 and get that miller 375 i think i paid $1100.00 for mine thru the internet site (CYBER WELD)

 

Vexner,
I've gotta agree with you in most cases, but I also gotta woder what that 3 phase, 220 volt, 35 amp job I picked up as an overstock woulda sold for before they cut the price!
I mean, to me the fact that it's 220, 3 ph, and 35 amp says it was intended to use commercially! All I can say is so far, so good!
But I am glad that this thread came up as it reminds me that I had intended to go ahead and order up some consumables to have on hand. Gawd knows what kinda troubles I'm in for on that!
Dave

 

Mine came from Daytona Mig. They have factory reconditioned units for sale. The one I have was sold by NAPA originally. Got the unit with a 220v mig welder as a package, and they have parts and consumables. I have cut 1/2" plate once I learned how to use it.
They have a web site but you can sometime get a better deal if you are there in person.

Bill

 

Another vote for the Henrob. Plasma is cool, I want one again, but my pockets arent deep and the Henrob is in my budget, and does more than a plasma.

 

You might want to check out Thermadyne Plasmas, they just came out with a new line that are light weight, high capacity and reasonably inexpensive. Their 1/4" machine looks like it would sell for about $1000 US.

You might also be able to swing a deal on the old style machines if they're trying to get rid of them to make room for the new inventory.

Best part: Made in USA

 

What kind of old chevy you want???

Brian

 

i'm not too picky, i have only trucks from the early 60's so i am wanting to go back even earlier. i'm sure not usin' the plasma cutter.

 

tell me more about that plasma.

 

I have one and used it the last two nights. I wouldn't run a business with it, but, it works fine.
Don

 

it's a miller specrum lynx converted to 220 single phase by a miller tech in town. it's cutting capacity is 7/8". i bought it brand new, brought it home, set it up, cut one piece about 6" to try it out and that's it. i prob should take the time to learn how to use it and it would be the best thing since sliced bread. i work with quit a bit of rusty metal and i didn't think about grounding it everytime, i also didn't think about being restricted by the shorter torch- i am used to my 50' lines on my victor.

 

Never had my plasma empty a tank at 12:03pm on a Saturday after noon(3minutes after the gas place closes). Can't say the same about my torches. Plasma cuts cleaner and faster for most thicknesses a rod needs. Aluminum?Like freaking butter.

Dont get me wrong, torches have their place too. I use both, but thats like saying, my screwdriver will do everything a rachet will and more. No, it wont. 2 different tools, each with thier jobs they do.