Plasma cutter, to many to choose from?

[Tried and True]

Hypertherm............................

I've been in the metal working and heavy industries for over 25 yrs. I have family that has been in it much, much longer. We have seen a bunch of different brands come and go at our businesses and Hypertherms were always the most reliable. My brother is a service tech for a local welding supply house. The brand he sees the least for service work? Hypertherm.

 

[TMGT]

I have to say Hypertherm also, I've had my pm45 for 5 years, bought it lightly used and have put many hrs on it myself, consumables are relatively inexpensive and last a long time.
Buddy has a pm45 that they use for their large welding business, gets used hard and never had a problem with it.

I feel they are well worth the cost, I didn't think I'd use mine as much as I do but now it probably logs more hrs then the welders as I do some light production parts.

 

[dragoneggs]

I have to say Hypertherm also, I've had my pm45 for 5 years, bought it lightly used and have put many hrs on it myself, consumables are relatively inexpensive and last a long time.
Buddy has a pm45 that they use for their large welding business, gets used hard and never had a problem with it.

I feel they are well worth the cost, I didn't think I'd use mine as much as I do but now it probably logs more hrs then the welders as I do some light production parts.

Hope so... I know I plopped down way more money than I needed to for my for my uses and bought a Hypertherm 45XP. But I am pretty sure I won't be second guessing my decision and I won't grow out of it and it should hold its value better than most if not all of the competition. If I, or my inheritors sell it, I'm thinking the cost of ownership equation will work out just fine.

 

[ModMech]

This is the same discussion as "Sears/Craftsman v Snap-On".

For the AVERAGE DIY user, Craftsman (Everlast) is more than good enough, but for production work where your reputation and livelihood are ON THE LINE, Snap-On (Hypertherm) may be the better option.

I have owned Hypertherms, and even used and not well cared for ones, they perform VERY well. Would I pay that much more for something that was not actually manufactured in the USA for my DIY use? No way. YMMV!

 

[dragoneggs]

This is the same discussion as "Sears/Craftsman v Snap-On".

For the AVERAGE DIY user, Craftsman (Everlast) is more than good enough, but for production work where your reputation and livelihood are ON THE LINE, Snap-On (Hypertherm) may be the better option.

I have owned Hypertherms, and even used and not well cared for ones, they perform VERY well. Would I pay that much more for something that was not actually manufactured in the USA for my DIY use? No way. YMMV!

Well put... I have swung the other way... I started out buying inexpensive power tools because that was all I could afford. But after wearing out or burning up several, I starting buying the best or near best quality brands. Those all seem to be lasting a lifetime for me. Granted I am a DIY and don't use them daily as a professional but I think in the long run I will be ahead. That said, I have bought several cheapo HF grinders just so I can have an assortment on hand without having to change wheels, etc. I think I over did it with the Hypertherm but I know when I retire I won't be able to afford replacing expensive tools. I am betting on them to last my lifetime. Once I retire, I will be using them more and my smaller fixed income will be paying for other personal and family needs.

 

[ModMech]

My tolerance for cost is directly tied to country of manufacture. The logic goes something like this: China (and most every country) makes some REALLY GOOD "stuff" , but that RGS is no less costly, after shipping and duties, than the RGS MADE in the USA. Therefore, generally the lower cost (often quality) products are imported, because that is where the PROFIT is for the importer/manufacturer.

If you make it HERE, I am more than willing to pay more for it, mostly because the money stays here to benefit all.

 

[nod]

Ok Mark, give me a price on the powerplasma 50. Thanks.

 

[spursjingles]

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.

Buy a plasma cutter which has the consumables readily available to you. Use an air or desecant dryer to prevent moisture in your system. Moisture in air compressors destroys consumables in minutes. Hypertherm is best and im not being prejudice because thats what i have. I have used many.

 

[STx]

I bought a Chinese built machine a few years ago from what is considered to be a good brand, I had problems with it from the start. Getting it repaired took a very, very long time and involved me paying to ship it to the importer and getting it back still broken. It was eventually (many months after the problems started) replaced by them with a new machine that I promptly sold as unopened and unused as I'd lost all faith in it and really didn't want to have to ever deal with getting it supported again. That experience, along with the lack of local availability of consumables for the imported machines, convinced me that from then on, I would buy only brands that I could drop off at my local welding supply for repair and that my LWS stocked consumables for.

Many, many people have bought the Eastwood, Everlast, Cut 50, etc. and been perfectly happy with them. I think if you get a good machine, then you're golden but, if you get a bad one, even though the importer will "stand behind" it, my experience was that support took FOREVER. So, it's now worth it to me to pay more for the dealer and support network.

 

[ovrszd]

I bought a Chinese built machine a few years ago from what is considered to be a good brand, I had problems with it from the start. Getting it repaired took a very, very long time and involved me paying to ship it to the importer and getting it back still broken. It was eventually (many months after the problems started) replaced by them with a new machine that I promptly sold as unopened and unused as I'd lost all faith in it and really didn't want to have to ever deal with getting it supported again. That experience, along with the lack of local availability of consumables for the imported machines, convinced me that from then on, I would buy only brands that I could drop off at my local welding supply for repair and that my LWS stocked consumables for.

Many, many people have bought the Eastwood, Everlast, Cut 50, etc. and been perfectly happy with them. I think if you get a good machine, then you're golden but, if you get a bad one, even though the importer will "stand behind" it, my experience was that support took FOREVER. So, it's now worth it to me to pay more for the dealer and support network.

Good experienced information here guys.

Not pimping Miller in any way here. Few years ago I had an issue with my Miller cutter. I thought it was out of warranty. Took it to the local supplier. He called me a few days later, repair complete, Miller paid. Cha-Ching!!!!