HF Plasma cutter

[chopped]

Any ideas on this unit it seems to be well priced.Im not a prof welder but I would find a use for it .
Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

 

[tulenutn2o]

Before I would buy this at HF, look online at the welding suppliers.Many good deals out there. Be advised, don't pay big $ just for a name as most units are re-badged anyways.

 

[RPW]

I've had a HF plasma for about 2 years. Love it. I haven't experienced any problems with the unit. You will need to get a "good" air dryer as any moisture in the air will affect the quality of cutting. Currently I'm using the cheap ones from lowes etc but I do have on the agenda to get me a nicer unit possibly a refrigerated system.

Good luck.

 

[Bedlam]

Could you elaborate a bit more on the air dryer? please. and Lowes sells them?
thanks

 

[timswi]

Could you elaborate a bit more on the air dryer? please. and Lowes sells them?
thanks

Water seperators...Need a good one of those.

 

[RPW]

Yep just what timswi said. Basically it's a container that holds an amount of dessicant (sp). As air passes through it the dessicant pulls the water out of the air stream. The cheap ones are designed for paint sprayers and only last about a week. The good ones run about $45.00 and are more permanent. The top of the line are the refrigerant systems which basically is a small refrigerator and a coil of copper tubing with a drain. They work on the basis that when you cool the air the moisture will condense out of the air stream and is collected and drained. BTW; the dessicant systems "can" be rejuvinated by removing the pellets from the container and heating them in a microwave for about 1 - 2 minuets.

 

[timswi]

Yep just what timswi said. Basically it's a container that holds an amount of dessicant (sp). As air passes through it the dessicant pulls the water out of the air stream. The cheap ones are designed for paint sprayers and only last about a week. The good ones run about $45.00 and are more permanent. The top of the line are the refrigerant systems which basically is a small refrigerator and a coil of copper tubing with a drain. They work on the basis that when you cool the air the moisture will condense out of the air stream and is collected and drained. BTW; the dessicant systems "can" be rejuvinated by removing the pellets from the container and heating them in a microwave for about 1 - 2 minuets.

Ideally you want it as far from the air source as possible to allow for cooling, thus removing the water..Painted classic cars for years...Seperators are a must.

 

[killdozerd11]

If you don't keep you air DRY you will eat a lot of your consumables
That goes for all plasma cutters

 

[Dargo]

I would not even remotely consider spending over $600 on anything from Chicago Electric. They literally are the lowest of the low end stuff that comes in from China. Not all things created in China are equal. These items are at the low end of the quality scale from China. It's one thing risking $30 on something cheap from China, but almost $700 after tax? No possible way based on the severe lack of quality from Chicago Electric. Go around to any small welding shop and see how many of those you see. Times are hard. If they'd even hold up to light use you'd see them all over. You won't find any.

 

[RPW]

Dargo, not necessarily disagreeing with you. If I had the money to spend on a Miller or a Lincoln I probably would have gone that route. However I've bought many Chicago electric items over the years and so far I've not had to return any of them. Does that mean they are the cream of the crop? Heaven's no however if you're "not" a professional and only are using the product on an irregular basis (as most hobbiest are) they're fine. They do offer a multi-year maintenance agreement (same as name brands) for the usual price. You're right I wouldn't expect to find these in a body shop as they're not designed for heavy duty use. By your by-line it appears you've had some good luck and some bad luck with these tools. My personal experience has been pretty good. Maybe I'm lucky. Anyway as to the specifics on this product I've used it for a couple of years and it hasn't let me down yet.

Good luck.

 

[Dargo]

By your by-line it appears you've had some good luck and some bad luck with these tools. My personal experience has been pretty good. Maybe I'm lucky. Anyway as to the specifics on this product I've used it for a couple of years and it hasn't let me down yet.

Good luck.

You are correct. I've had some "bargains" and I've had plenty of "duds". I'm only offering my opinion, take it for that, which is also the opinion of Chicago Electric on pretty well all of the welding forums and welding sites. Again, I certainly do not intend to come across as trying to tell you what to do. I just share the opinion of most others in saying I wouldn't spend that sort of money on a CE plasma cutter. I personally have zero experience with one but have read from some who have and they reported poor results.

 

[arrabil]

What I find interesting about Chicago Electric tools are the specs. Thats allegedly a 40A plasma cutter. My Hypertherm 40A is rated to sever 7/8". The new Hypertherm 40A severs 1". The HF 40A... 1/2". And it requires half the amount of air. So basically the unit is not really what its advertised as.

A used brand name plasma cutter of equivalent specs will likely cost the same as that plasma cutter too.

All Chicago Electric tools are similarly rated. That just really turns me off from buying them. In fact it goes against my Harbor Freight rule... Only buy it if its disposable, consumable, or weldable.