Plasma Cutter recommendations.

[Big Barn]

I don’t own a Hypertherm but it would be my first choice.

 

[newbury]

As primarily an observer a Hypertherm would be MY first choice but my wallet would go for Everlast.

 

[dragoneggs]

I've done a bit of research and the following questions come to mind:

What is "Gouging"? Is that like digging some metal out without going all the way thru?

Most videos I see show plasma cutters starting at the edge of a piece of steel. Is it possible to start in the middle? Is that what is meant by "Piercing ability"?

Yes gouging is like carving. Handy method to remove welds in trying to disassemble without losing too much of the structure.

Piercing is just that... A method where you start the cut other than on an edge.

 

[johncanfield]

Hypertherm 45! I started with a Northern Tool (forgot who the manufacturer was) plasma torch, sold it and bought the best. I've had it for three or four years and still 100% satisfied.

 

[ovrszd]

I think it's only fair to include price on any suggestions to someone new.

I have a Miller 625 Extreme. I paid somewhere around $1250 for it. It will cut up to 1/2". Will cut 1/4" and thinner very well. Well supported brand.

 

[Industrial Toys]

No offense, but why would a company like MILLER, go with such childish/trending names? As ridiculous as the NASCAR stickers on my LINCOLN MIG!

I talked with a guy that fixes all makes of welder and cutters. Says the quality is just going down hill. Electronics instead of heavy transformers. Maybe it's the same trend as small tractors. It's gone to a consumer , non industrial/tradesman market.

 

[downsizingnow48]

I've had the Hypertherm 45 for some years now. Works fine. I wanted a no-excuses solution where I would know any shortcomings were my problem not the machine.

 

[camshawn]

I have a thermal dynamic cut master 52. It was worth the extra $$ over a 42 for the piece of mind that I will be somewhat future proof. I can get consumables close by at the local tool store on the weekends or one of several welding supply houses. I looked at theEverlast products but any warranty work would require shipping the unit across Canada. One warranty repair would be more $$ than the cost savings. Cam

 

[yomax4]

I think that many of the plasma power supplies are good. The weak link is always the torches. Most are copies of 1980's torches which is very old technology. One of my plasma's was sent to me by a top of the line manufacturer in China called WTL. The power supply is top notch and it was built to spec with the Hypertherm 45XP. You pick metal thickness and it sets amps for you. Has built in automation interface and many other things I won't get into just now. So what is the weak link? It uses an Italian torch called Tec-Mo. Actually it offers 2 torch options for hand cutting. One uses cheap Trafimet parts and the other uses Hypertherm 45 after market parts. They sent me both torches which are constructed poorly. What I noticed was the machine had at least 20 amps more power using the Hypertherm designed torch components. So when you buy a Hypertherm or Thermal Dynamics you get to pay a little more but you get state of the art torches and consumables. 99% of the off brand plasma systems are using 35 year old parts. They are inexpensive though. For some, HF welders are fine and cheap plasma cutters are too. Just get the best one you can sneak into the budget.

 

[johncanfield]

..... 99% of the off brand plasma systems are using 35 year old parts. They are inexpensive though. For some, HF welders are fine and cheap plasma cutters are too. Just get the best one you can sneak into the budget.

Bingo! I always try to buy commercial quality stuff - much cheaper in the long run.