I have been toying with buying a plasma cutter for sometime. They have one at work that seems to do a good job for most things. Normally i would just use the one at work but its not the most convienent being locked up and stored in a back room. I have a Miller 130xp mig, old buzz box and oxy/acytlene set up. I'm looking to make a couple bumpers and around the shop stuff. Any reccomendations??

 

I am looking at a CNC 5x10 plasma table myself, The thing with plasma torches is you have to determine what thickness of materials you are going to cut and the power you have available to feed the plasma torch (110-220 single - three phase) with. Your budget for the machine is a factor as well..

Here is a link to Miller and one to Thermal Dynamics.. I like the auto line voltage switching capabilities of the Miller 1000 but the Thermal Dynamics has more punch power and weighs less..

Plasma torch Links:

http://millerwelds.com/products/plasma/

http://www.thermadyne.com/thermaldynamics/

Here is the link to the CNC system (Torchmate 3) I'm Looking at:

http://www.torchmate.com/

 

I have got a Dayton brand 220 volt plasma cutter. I have noticed alot of the machines are just "clones" of other companies. Get a good one and you will love it.

I have noticed some newer units actually have an air compressor built into the unit. Mine you have to plug air into the back of it. I am sure the built in air units cost more but may be handy be a stand alone unit.

Anyway only word of advice I know of is dont get a 110 unit, they make them but are nothing like a 220 unit.

Scott

 

Here is the Miller I use at work and love it http://millerwelds.com/products/plasma/spectrum_625/

Like said above, it depends on your budget and what you will be working with. This one will cut 5/8 without any problems but I doubt you will be making bumpers that thick Non the less, the Miller units are very top quality.

 

Millers good. Lincolns good. A good unit that does not cost as much but performs well is the ESAB. Consumables are not as expensive either. The Thermal Dynamics always went through too many consumables.

 

i'm big lincoln fan... but Thermal Dynamics make a great cutter and they take alot of abuse so i am sure you would be happy with one

 

We have a couple of Thermal Dynamics at work.
We have abused them alot over the years on job sites.
They still work like they are New!

 

I just recently bought one of THESE little thing has some good power for what I need, can run off of 120 or 240 which is great for portability, very important for me... cuts 3/8" plate no big deal and will do 1/2" if your steady... 18lbs was the big seller for me...

 

I just bought a new Hypertherm 1000 for work. That was what all the machine shops and fabricators around here recommended to me. Unfortunately I've been so busy, I haven't even had time to get it setup, so I can't give you a review on it.

 

That's the one I have. Love it. Wish I had gotten commission from the local distributor, 2 guys bought plasma cutters after they tried mine and saw things I had cut and made with it.

 

That is a nice unit. I would love to have it at the house.

 

Compare the cost of consumables as well, that starts to add up if you do a lot of cutting.

And on that, DRY DRY air, and again Dry air.

 

We have a Hypertherm at work as well. Cann't remember the model but it does 7/8 cut and 1" sever. Works great, after awhile you cann't remember what you did without one. I've heard the Hypertherm is expensive on consumables but I haven't used anything else other than my home unit and don't pay for the consumabales.

At home I have a REALLY old lincolin plasma cutter. Got it cheap cause the seller couldn't find consumables for it anymore. I managed to find a manual for it on the net and with it got some part numbers for the consumables and was able to find some. Also did a tune up on it and now it works pretty good. The thing is huge though and only cuts upto 1/4" however since I got it I haven't pulled out the Oxy/Acte torch.

Its a good thing I got it cheap though as I spent $300 on supplies(never mind labour) to upgrade the wiring in my garage to support it.

 

we run an esab.....love it...

 

I own one and it will cut 5/8 plate and 1/2" clean never a problem with it