I am wanting to buy a plasma cutter. I already have a O/A setup for heavy cutting. Been reading a lot here and it seams that Everlast, victor, and Hypertherm are the ones that I should be looking at. This is something that I would not use very much but I want to buy something that I will be able to get parts for later down the road. So, if I buy an Everlast, will I get support or parts after the warranty goes out? I am asking the same question for all of the above cutters. Will parts or support be available when I need it? Thanks for any help.
Plasma cutter, to many to choose from?
- Thread starter nod
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I would like to get one soon also. Not to hijack this thread but add Eastwood's Versa Cut 60 to this list and Northern Tool's Plasma 375 also. The reviews on the retailers web sites look very good. I want to be able to cleanly sever 3/8" mild steel, minimum. The big names seem to be more $ than I wish to spend for limited usage, but I do not want to get a unit that functions unreliably.
Jeepnford
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I've been pondering this for awhile. For myself I've decided on the Hypertherm 45xp. They are more expensive but I really want to buy something made in the US. I also plan on using it a lot. There's several people on here that buy Everlast, they'll probably chime in. My thing is now whether to buy online or from a LWS. Online is cheaper but buying local if there are issues might be good too.
yomax4
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I hate to go here again but.. I no longer have a dog in the fight so there are a couple ways to look at this. No-one "Truly" makes a USA made Plasma Cutter any longer and there are not many secrets out there anymore so, If I were to suggest a machine I would Vote Hypertherm for industrial cutting and automation. You stated that you would be an occasional or light fab guy and not an all day user. All you have to do there to be happy is look at Cost and Warranty. Ask on here how the Everlast and or others have performed.
roadhunter
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I bought a Hypertherm over 10 years ago and sold it recently for about $200 less than I paid for it. Get a good one and it will still be valuable when you get rid of it.
plastikosmd
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I bought a hyperthem 6 or so years ago. Something broke and I took it to a local airgas who sent it back to hypertherm for repair. Something got cooked and due to the minimal use that they noted they felt it had to be a defect and fixed it for free and sent it back. No questions, well outside of warranty
I have read a lot of threads about plasma cutters. You have commented on a lot of them. Do you think I will be able to get parts or get an Everlast repaired in 10 years if it needs it. That is what I am looking at too.
muddstopper
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I have been reading a lot of good reports on the Everlast machines, but I havent actually seen one so I wont comment. Hypertherm seems to be one of the leaders, but they are a little pricey. I own a older miller 625 spectrum. I believe I paid $1800 for it new when I bought it several years ago. You can buy better and cheaper now. Its isnt one of the dual voltage machines, just plain 220v. Its rated at 40 amps, I have cut up to 2in thick with it, but its more chewing and knawing than cutting. 1/2in it does pretty good. I think they claim 7/8 ?? but for good quality cuts, I think thats pushing it. I have mounted it in my homemade track torch and got decent cuts on 3/4, but its slow slow slow. I usually hook up my gas torch for anything that thick. Now that I think about it, I have a bunch of 1/2 plate laid out and plan on using gas to cut them with. Not that the plasma wouldnt do the job, I just dont have the compressed air capacity to make those long cuts. I dont know which machine I would buy if I needed to replace what I already have, but I do know I would replace my air compressor first and I wouldnt buy a machine rated at less than 40 amps.
yomax4
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I have no idea what would happen in the distant future. I can say that if any brand plasma cutter burns up a board, It is to costly to repair. The only way way to be totally safe is to stay inside the warranty period which makes the longer warranty units attractive. Then the price, If you get something with a good track record, warranty and a good price you are on your way and not so painful if and when it dies. I see Hypertherm, Miller, Thermal Dynamics, Even Century machines out there from the 80's that still work. I also see 3 year old machines that have blown up so no matter what, Outside the warranty,Any brand is a crap shoot. The one plus I can say about the top dog plasma cutters is torch technology. They make their own so they can adjust and tune to their machines. Lastly as stated above I too would stay away from units less than 40 amps. Good Luck !!
Big Barn
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I'll join in here and agree with muddstopper and yomax4. If you plan on doing any amount of cutting (unless light gauges only) purchase 40 amp MINIMUM.
A couple of years ago I was shopping for a new 60 amp machine to replace my woefully inadequate early model Miller Spectrum. I came across a brand new 40 amp Miller on eBay which accepted my offer of 1/2 the going on-line prices.......
I SHOULD have saved my money for a bigger amp machine.
Terry
A couple of years ago I was shopping for a new 60 amp machine to replace my woefully inadequate early model Miller Spectrum. I came across a brand new 40 amp Miller on eBay which accepted my offer of 1/2 the going on-line prices.......
I SHOULD have saved my money for a bigger amp machine.
Terry
