$1500 budget what to buy ?

[dynasim]

I have an everlast pp50, and it works great, and it doesn't use a high frequency start(so it doesn't cause interference).

The hypertherm 30 machine uses 120 volt power supply(and is power supply tolerant). That would be quite convenient(and is ~1100$).

Chris

 

[jake98]

My Everlast Powerplasma 70 cost me less than a grand, and I love it. If I had to have just two machines, that would be one of them. That and a mig. :thumbsup:

 

[HCJtractor]

For casual use, a plasma seems overkill especially if you factor in compressor needs. I advise a good saw (love my steelmax, cuts 1/2 plate like butter). Only thing is it can't cut curves. Also a cheap Jet bandsaw is handy. I have a Everlast powerarc 200 that works great. With the saw and everlast, you are $800 under budget and can do almost anything. Leaves money for a good torch I also have a nice Miller Bobcat 250 mainly for power, and a Miller 211 Mig, but the Everlast is sweet. Believe it or not, i often use my Bobcat to power my Everlast, because it is so portable and i don't have to wheel out the big generator and heavy leads. I also coveted a plasma but now that i have the saw, i just dont see the need for a $1500 1/2 " capable plasma,unless you are making complex cuts.

 

[deereman75]

When are you going to start posting pictures of your welds with that new machine? I'm really interested in how it does. How do you like the hot start, and arc force?

I will try and get some up soon. I havnt been able to do any welding since I tested it out after I got it. When ever I had the time to weld, it was either pouring rain, or I was sick. We have been getting some good weather, so I will try to do some more welds, and get some pics up tomorrow. I think I will do a side by side weld off with the lincoln and the longevity.

 

[rcowan]

Anvil, Good heavy vise, clamps, clamps.

RC

 

[Gary Fowler]

I have to applaude ShieldArc for admitting that he spend the high dollars on a Plasma torch and wouldn't do it again. Most folks will tell you how great they are and how they wouldnt use anything else when in fact that is all they have ever used. They likley never figured how much per inch of cut that equipment is costing them. If you are in production and need to cut fast precision cuts using computer controlled tables, then high amperage plasma cutters (not these little $1500 home units) are the way to go. When you get real honest with yourself, a home/hobby plasma cutter is limited severely in thickness, cost a lot to own and operate and only cuts. Sure it cuts just about any material, but again it only cuts. You cant braze,weld or solder with it like you can with oxy/acetylene. The OA is just so much more versatile for the average hobby welder that no shop should be without one. That is the first piece of equipment that anyone working steel should have followed by a good AC/DC stick machine, then after you are proficient with those start getting the exotic pieces like plasma cutters and wire feeders. I would hate to know that I could only weld with a wire gun especially if I professed to anyone I could weld. There is a very good reason that the construction industry and ASME Codes restricts uses of GMAW/FCAW.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

I've read in a couple different places to stay away from the all in one units. Most of the problems seem to be with the units with high freq for Tig, and plasma combination.

What type of welding will you be doing?

You're right. Next to an individual tig and plasma setup, they aren't as reliable.

As far as the US made version, that is rarer than a jackalope...

But for the right customer, it is a good solution...like a portable repair setup, or a factory or HVAC customer. I don't recommend them for production or for hobby users...even though that seems to be the ones most attracted to it. I have several pro guys using them in the right situations, and appreciate what they can do for them. But you have more components stuffed into the same place, just the mathematics will tell you they are not going to be as reliable as a unit with less parts. ..Plus, the loss of one unit equals the loss of both should something happen. I do sell them, but try to match the units up to the right customers...and not over or under sell the product.

 

[deereman75]

I have to say that after I saw just how clean a cut I could do with O/A, I dont even want a plasma. I can see them being good for sheet metal, or aluminum/stainless, but I never work with any of those. The order I got them, #1 O/A rig #2 lincoln ac tombstone (never again...) #3 longevity stickweld 250 (best welder I have ever used) O/A first is a good way to go, seeing as you really can do everything.

 

[dynasim]

Very effective plasma's can be had for the 600-800 range. If I add up the bottle fees, and the torch, the price of a plasma is not much different than that of a torch setup, and you don't have any consumables to buy.

Most people use a welder to weld, not O/A. I have only used O/A to braze sheet metal, and in retrospect, we should have used the appropriate welding rods instead.

The big thing missed by not having acetylene/oxygen is that it is difficult to form metal by heating, and portability.

I guess what I am saying is that the cost proposition of an OA setup vs plasma is not clear, and my ability to cut steel with a plasma vs OA is not even comparable.

Chris

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

I use my OA for a lot of different things. Plasma is good for cutting any metal. But some metals are better cut by other methods, especially if welding is to be considered. OA or any OF type unit can be used for preheating, which is needed at time when welding. Or it can be used to simply wash a rusted nut right off a bolt, without even harming the threads of the bolt. Plasma cannot do that. I advise many customers that a Plasma will not replace OA. I too can achieve very good results with OA. It takes a little practice. Plasma definitely is easier, and cleaner. It is not necessarily faster. A simple. average OA torch usually has cutting capacity of at least 2". It takes a big plasma to do that.

The advantage of plasma in my book:
1) Speed on thin materials. Fast, rapid cuts are easily made. Large plasma cutters are needed to maintain good cutting speeds on materials over 1/2", though. Over 3/4", the cost and size of the plasma cutter is prohibitive to the small guy to keep up with the economy of cut that O/A offers.
2) Less heat input into the metal keeps warping down to a minimum
3) Will cut any metal, though considerable dressing is needed afterwards to remove oxides and other contaminating by products of the cut, even though it is smooth and clean
4) No tanks to buy or rent.
5) Much faster setup time. Turn on the switch, stretch out the cords and cut.


The big disadvantage is though size is small, you still have to drag an air compressor, and a power source with you where ever you need to use a plasma. Consumable costs are significant.

O/A startup costs are usually a good bit less, even buying the torch and renting the tanks.

I have sent more than one or two customers away to get a good O/A kit before buying a plasma. O/A simply cannot be replaced. I'd say about 95% of my cutting could be done with O/A. Most of the rest could be accomplished by other means. It's not every day I am going to cut 1/2" aluminum plate to weld on a deck of a trailer...The last percent or two of work does make plasma appealing. But somehow I'd still manage without it. I love using a plasma cutter, don't get me wrong...But the O/A always stands at ready.