plasma cutter/welder v seperate machines

[033614]

Looking for advice on plasma cutter / welder 3 in 1 machines. Would really love a plasma cutter / tig welder. Bewildering claims on all machines on the net. Best buy anyone? What features should I look for? Would like to weld alloy and steel, cut 1/2". Lots of these are from China, how are spares and consumables for these. Same goes for USA and Canadian machines. Would I be better off buying 2 seperate machines? Your experiences would be appreciated.
Bruce

 

[Jeepnford]

I don't have any experience with them but here's a little reading from a different message board.Plasma cutter choices - Pirate4x4.Com Bulletin Board

 

[Steve Bosshard]

I believe I would go for independent machines unless I wanted a TIG/Stick welder combination. Seems like the Esab 750I will cut 3/4" if you are not in a hurry. That is the real catch. Thickness vs speed. Also I would not have just a plasma cutter because the head won't get into places that an oxy acetylene tip will go. Also the plasma won't help you much when it comes to heating a casting to remove a seized bolt. Also the plasma takes clean dry air to work.

Next you need to choose between a stick welder and a mig welder. Both have their place, and you can get cored wire that doesn't need gas for outdoors in the wind.

Best regards, Steve

 

[RPW]

All my machines are separate except for the TIG/Stick. If a machine breaks I'm not down completely just that process.

 

[033614]

Already have Mig, Gas and Stick welders, compressor for air. Plasma cutter would be useful for cutting out really bad rot, grinder and nibbler can be a pain in the proverbial. Tig for putting new bits in. Mig and gas create too much heat without great care. Welding alloys with AC/DC tig would be a useful addition. There is one advertised on Ebay called an RSTAR AC/DC Tig Pulse Arc Welder Plasma Cutter: Model SUPER-200P. Claims will cut 16mm and comes with a foot pedal which seems to be extra on other machines. All for $725. Shipping is about half as much again at $325 ( converted from ｣ UK).
Seems very cheap, maybe it's too cheap. Anyone had any experience?
BTW what is pulse?

 

[kennyd]

I have never read anything good about the Chinese 3 in 1 "magic" box's for the super low prices.

There is a reason Miller, Lincoln, Esab, ect. do NOT make them. You can't even buy a name brand plasma alone for what they sell those 3n1's for...there is a reason.

Research on any of the popular welding forums...

"If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is"

 

[J_J]

I agree, my Lincoln Pro-Cut 55 cost me about $2500. You need oil free, dry air for tip longevity.

 

[aviationben]

I have a 3-in-one 160 amp welder/plasma/tig, about 4 years old now. It's manufactured for Parker MP (a guy that was selling them on ebay), i believe manufactured china. It works great for me. I run 1/8 7018 rods at 120 amps all day with it without any problems. I use it almost every weekend. The plasma cutter works good on metals under 3/8. I've never used the tig part due to having a mig welder. It's a DC inverter machine. Running at 120 amps it has a 100% duty cycle. I am a certified welder at work, and compared to our miller machine there, I consider it a good buy for a weekend warrior.

attached is a pic of a root pass I did with it.

 

[033614]

Sort of weld I dream about. I really don't do enough to become proficient. Still, each to his own, I'm sure I must have a talent somewhere. Must look under the workbench!!

 

[Mace Canute]

Thermal Dynamics is a good brand name, at one time I believe they were considered one of the best available. I have a little Miller Spectrum 300 that I really like for the lighter work I tend to do. It's got to be darn near 10 years old now. It is supposed to do 3/8" but it does best on 3/16" and below. I tend to think plasma cutters should be derated to 50% of advertised cutting capacity.
If you use it a lot, the cost of "consumables" might be a concern, some brands may be less expensive than others and future availability of them is also an issue you might want to consider.