Plasma Cutter

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Mace said:
how intricate? for the most part, yes..
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something like the deer & moutain design on this lamp shade. I was just wondering if I needed something with better control. I don't know anything about plasma cutters
lamp.jpg
 
Depends on how good you are I guess.

Steady hands help a lot..
 
I'll have to look into a Parker... I have a Miller now and it's OK, but I was going to go with a Hypertherm 1000 next. I would suggest a Hypertherm 600 for what your looking for. Couple of my friends have those and they cut like butta!

Jason
 
How about Hobart 250CI 120V....is this any good? Would that be a big enough unit for me. I will be cutting frames, sheet metal and everything in between. More for hobbies but will be cutting often.
 
any 120V machine is pretty much only good for sheetmetal..
 
I picked up this Hobart unit a few months back and seems to do just fine for what I need and theres a local welding supply store that carries all the consumables . I would have bought a unit from them but they even told me to get it from these guys when I was looking
http://www.toolking.com/hobartwelders_500437a.aspx

No tax for me and also free shipping for orders over $99
 
I believe everyone should learn how to cut on an o/a torch before they start messing with plasma cutters. The best plasma i can think of is the miller spectrum 1251....if ya gonna do it, do it big :flipoff2:
 
Greg1190 said:
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?
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I'll save you the time reading my plasma experiences & just tell you plain & simple --> hold out for a slightly used Lincoln Procut55 off Ebay. Looking back at the $$$ spent on a smaller unit :mad: It cost me ~$1,600, new they are over $3K. About 2 yrs going strong, never any problems & I use it as much as my welder, which is *almost everyday :D
 
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Just got a Parker 40 w/ dual voltage for christmas.

Been using it almost nonstop since I opened the box yesterday.

Cut everything from sheetmetal to aluminum to 5/8" chromed steel rod.

The torch is a little chintzy but it all works well.

Very happy so far!
 
Regular air. Don't know why they would say use Argon unless there was something special you were cutting.

Or were you looking at the Tig/plasma unit?

Then you could use Argon for the Tig portion..
 
Mace said:
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.
..
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What do you think the lowest price they would take for a 40 amp?
 
Call and ask!

There is another vendor on board here that sells a similar unit as well. I have not used it, but there is not a heck of a lot of difference between the base units. And both of them verify function of the units before they are sent out. Which is the most important factor when buying a Chinese plasma..
 
I had my Parker plasma for a while now. I been very happy with it. I cut several things with it with no problems. All I need to do is gain control and hold my hand steady and it would be a lot better. Thanks Mace for you imput.
 
LC_Hamma said:
I'll save you the time reading my plasma experiences & just tell you plain & simple --> hold out for a slightly used Lincoln Procut55 off Ebay. Looking back at the $$$ spent on a smaller unit :mad: It cost me ~$1,600, new they are over $3K. About 2 yrs going strong, never any problems & I use it as much as my welder, which is *almost everyday :D
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I have a lightly used Lincoln ProCut60. Was over $3500 new, weighs over 600lbs, uses 3 phase 208, bought it on eBay for $600.00.

I know its not portable, nor does it use 120/240 single phase- but man can it cut some stuff.
 
My mitech is small, portable and works very well for the price. The MOST important part to using any plasma is DRY air. I still need to address my air and add something to cool the air and drop the bulk of the moisture out before the big filter.

Unless you need to cut thick steel (1/2"+) often, there is probably no need for 50 amps. I've cut 5/8" with my 40 and its slow, hot and pretty messy. I much prefer a bandsaw for those cuts if possible.
 
Well, I finally got to use my 3-in-1 Plasma/TIG/Stick machine for the first time wednesday night... I bought a GIANTTECH one off E-bay.

A fellow club member is building an aluminum oil pan for his BJ60. The OEM ones are notorious for rusting thru.

He got a sheet of 1/4" 5052 aluminum from a boat building shop and traced out some templates. We traced them out and used a 2x4 as a guide and started cutting... MAN the thing RIPS!. It took a few tries to figure out how to plunge start it, but once going it was simple and clean and relatively quite.

I see GIANTTECH guy was posting up here and got his threads deleted. Just to be clear, I have no affiliation to him, but I have to say that for the price ($700 all in) it is a great machine (so far) and his customer service was outstanding! I asked a ton of questions via email when I got the machine because the instructions are pretty sh%tty, especially when it comes to wiring it up.

My only real complaint is I think these vendors could take a little time to rewrite the instructions in correct english. OR at least type up a quick one page guide to setting up and using the machine and drop it in the box before shipping.

Anyway, I can say that I am happy with my "Chinese copy" machine and it will fit the bill perfectly for my fabricating needs. Bottom line, many people are looking for deals, (why should I buy Snap-on tools when Craftsman will do for my hobby wrenching) and this holds true for plasma cutters. I think Lincoln/Miller etc would do well to investigate copying (with better workmanship) these machines for the hobbiest. I think they could make some good coin with this type of approach. (off soapbox).

Cheers-
-Stump
 
Stumpalama said:
Well, I finally got to use my 3-in-1 Plasma/TIG/Stick machine for the first time wednesday night... I bought a GIANTTECH one off E-bay.

A fellow club member is building an aluminum oil pan for his BJ60. The OEM ones are notorious for rusting thru.

He got a sheet of 1/4" 5052 aluminum from a boat building shop and traced out some templates. We traced them out and used a 2x4 as a guide and started cutting... MAN the thing RIPS!. It took a few tries to figure out how to plunge start it, but once going it was simple and clean and relatively quite.

I see GIANTTECH guy was posting up here and got his threads deleted. Just to be clear, I have no affiliation to him, but I have to say that for the price ($700 all in) it is a great machine (so far) and his customer service was outstanding! I asked a ton of questions via email when I got the machine because the instructions are pretty sh%tty, especially when it comes to wiring it up.

My only real complaint is I think these vendors could take a little time to rewrite the instructions in correct english. OR at least type up a quick one page guide to setting up and using the machine and drop it in the box before shipping.

Anyway, I can say that I am happy with my "Chinese copy" machine and it will fit the bill perfectly for my fabricating needs. Bottom line, many people are looking for deals, (why should I buy Snap-on tools when Craftsman will do for my hobby wrenching) and this holds true for plasma cutters. I think Lincoln/Miller etc would do well to investigate copying (with better workmanship) these machines for the hobbiest. I think they could make some good coin with this type of approach. (off soapbox).

Cheers-
-Stump
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Please report back in a few months your impressions and how the Giant Tech is holding up after you have had a chance to use the stick and TIG also.
 
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