Looking to buy a plasma cutter. Need help on what brand and what model. I'll be doing anything from sheet metal to cutting my 40's bumper and maybe thicker. Needs to be portable, 110 & 220 volts dont matter. Price maybe an issue. I know I can pay 3 thousand for a nice one but that is to high for me. Try to keep it in the 1 thousand dollar area. Less would be even better. I checked e-bay and I got confussed with all the modles and brands. They all sound like the perfect one. Can anyone help?
Plasma Cutter
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Parker
Thanks for the imput Mace. I was reading about the 40sv and dv. Which one do you prefer? How about the 50dv? The 50dv is in my price range but if I dont need that big of a unit then why waste the money. Can you shed some light on the plasma situation? I know you have done some plasma cutting in the past....which one do you have?
Thanks for the imput Mace. I was reading about the 40sv and dv. Which one do you prefer? How about the 50dv? The 50dv is in my price range but if I dont need that big of a unit then why waste the money. Can you shed some light on the plasma situation? I know you have done some plasma cutting in the past....which one do you have?
I have the 40 SV. And am very happy with it.
Cuts 5/8" easily (thickest I typically do)
From the sound of it you would be better off with the DV. And honestly, you will never hate yourself for getting a bigger machine..
BTW, you can call them and typically get a much better deal on items than what is listed on the website.
..
Cuts 5/8" easily (thickest I typically do)
From the sound of it you would be better off with the DV. And honestly, you will never hate yourself for getting a bigger machine..
BTW, you can call them and typically get a much better deal on items than what is listed on the website.
..
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- #5
Thats what I keep telling my wife...it never hurts if I go bigger. I mean that about tools. I think I'll call them. Thank you for all your help. It's a toss up between the 40dv or 50dv. The price difference is not that much. Especially when your getting a better machine. Again thanks.
The cut ratings on plasma cutters are very optimistic at best. If a plasma cutter is rated for
5/8" cut, then realistically, it is good for 5/16."
I got lucky and found a used Esab Powercut 1125 which is rated for 1 1/8" cut. It will sever 1.5"
I'd pass on the china crap and buy something better like a Hypertherm or Thermal Dynamics. Read more about plasma cutters on the hobart forum.
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- #8
This is what I was talking about. I like the feed back but, which way do I turn? So many options makes it tough for a first time buyer. Back to the books.....
Yes, tried one of the crapinese last year. Stick with the global leaders in plasma technology - hypertherm or thermal dynamics. Have had both of these and you will be very pleased with either.
Depends. Which would you rather have, a $500 tool that doesn't work when you need it or a $1k tool that's dependable? Same reason a lot of folks drive cruisers instead of heeps, or weld with Miller etc instead of some crap.
I have over a year of use on my Parker. It has not shown me one single issue.. Additionally, it has a three year electronics warranty.. I have also seen better service from the Phils than any of the big names..
Your prices are a bit off too.. A $1000 miller won't cut 1/2" steel... My $299 parker does..
Hell, I weld with a Hobart as well. And honestly, if the Chinese welders were as impressive as the plasmas, I would not have any problem with them..
If I depended on a plasma for my livelihood I foot the bill for a name brand. But, since this is my hobby and my livelihood does not depend on it, I'll happily take the cheapo...
I felt lucky to sell my Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38 for enough to buy a Parker 60 amp cutter.
The Parker is different - no pilot, but it cuts like a demon. That damned TD gave me so much grief that I left it parked in a corner for over a year.
If you want to cut steel buy twice the cuttter power you think you'll need. It's all about amperage, ignore the various advertised claims.
The Parker is different - no pilot, but it cuts like a demon. That damned TD gave me so much grief that I left it parked in a corner for over a year.
If you want to cut steel buy twice the cuttter power you think you'll need. It's all about amperage, ignore the various advertised claims.
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I've got a parker plasma 40amp too. Works extremely well and the customer support is great.
*HIjack*
My wife has had some home craft ideas involving cutting designs in sheet metal. Do you think the parker plasma cutters would be good with intricate cuts into thin sheet metal?
Thanks!
My wife has had some home craft ideas involving cutting designs in sheet metal. Do you think the parker plasma cutters would be good with intricate cuts into thin sheet metal?
Thanks!
Don't understand why you had so much difficutly with your Cutmaster 38 Honk. Never used that unit, but glad to hear the Parker is working for you.
I have a Cutmaster 52 and have done quite a bit of work in 1/2" and it doesn't give me any probs. Especially in 1/4, 3/16, & 1/8. Sounds like the Parkers work well, but I like my Thermal Dynamics unit.
Remember figure out what you need then go a step or two above that. No need to wish you had done it that way in 6-12 months.
I have a Cutmaster 52 and have done quite a bit of work in 1/2" and it doesn't give me any probs. Especially in 1/4, 3/16, & 1/8. Sounds like the Parkers work well, but I like my Thermal Dynamics unit.
Remember figure out what you need then go a step or two above that. No need to wish you had done it that way in 6-12 months.