Shopping for quality plasma cutter.

[jd4310man]

I am in the market for a quality name brand Plasma cutter. Went a few years ago and bought one of those chinese units off eBay and low and behold, it crapped out. So i was looking at the Hobart 700i and was settled on it until I came across the Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52. They are practically the same price from cyberweld.com, the Hobart can sever up to 7/8" where as the Thermal Dynamics can sever up to 1-1/8" Has anyone have any experience with these or could recommend another brand of the same specs as these? I would prefer to buy American made and not another cheap china piece of crap again. Thanks

 

[Shield Arc]

I've never used a Thermal Dynamics plasma. But I know lots of very experienced welders who swear by them. I've owned a Hypertherm 1250 for about 13-years, not one problem with it:cool2:.

 

[Big Barn]

I don't think your T A will be USA made.

Terry

 

[Rustyiron]

I too have a Hypertherm that I bought new about 13-14 years ago. No problems.
It's the only one I've used and can't comment on the others.

 

[Fawken]

I have an Esab 625i and it works pretty well. More power than I really need. I repaired a Hypertherm recently for a guy who was going to set it up on a CAD table. His floor was really not level and tore up his torch in spite of me warning him to check the travel with no arc. My main TIG guy at the trailer shop has an Eastwood at home and swears by it. At the shop we have 4 Miller cutters. The Hypertherm I worked on was a pain in the arse due to the plumbing and the moisture sensor. If you have bad air even the Millers will act up.

 

[Redneck in training]

I heard Hypetherm has the best consumables life. If that is true then it is one of those things to consider.

 

[jd4310man]

Should I install an additional inline air filter/dryer for the plasma cutter? Will that extend the life of the machine? What kind do you recommend?

 

[Big Barn]

Should I install an additional inline air filter/dryer for the plasma cutter? Will that extend the life of the machine? What kind do you recommend?

Good idea. It will definitely increase the life of your consumables.

Terry

 

[STx]

Should I install an additional inline air filter/dryer for the plasma cutter? Will that extend the life of the machine? What kind do you recommend?

An EMPHATIC YES! I would put something like this on the air compressor (it'll help all your tools) Amazon.com: ATD Tools 7880 2-Stage Desiccant Dryer System: Automotive and then add a desiccant dryer at the plasma cutter connection Amazon.com: 1/4" Mini Inline Desiccant Air Dryer / Filter 2 Pack (Made in USA): Automotive. You'll need to replace the desiccant dryer periodically when they beads change colors. Some people dry them back out in an oven and reuse them. I think they're inexpensive protection for expensive equipment so I only use them once.

 

[Shield Arc]

I made my first air dryer. Used copper tubing for the intercooler, (fill the garbage can full of tap water). Black pipe for the after cooler. Years later I bought a refrigerated unit.