what to use to cut metal

[BigRed87]

Chicago Electric has a plasma cutter for $500 from Harbor Freight.

 

[lowenbrau]

I rarely use the chopsaw since we bought a bandsaw, I don't use the bandsaw as much since we bought ( a real ) plasma cutter. The most versitile tool is for the $ is still the mini grinder with 5" zip discs. We go through boxes of them and they are worth every penny. There are only a couple of brands that are worth spending your money on. The most notable is Walter. Even if they are 3X the cost of lesser disk they are still worth the $. We have a Milwaukee portaband that comes in really handy as well.

There's two sawzall type tools in the shop and only the cordless one gets used and then rarely.

I occasionally use the air chisel with the sheetmetal cutter in it.

These are some brand names you should look for in consumables.

Grinding, cutting, flappy disks.... Walter
Hacksaw, bandsaw blades... Lennox
Sanding products... 3M

 

[lowenbrau]

Never used plasma, but on sheet metal my new favourite fool is a air shears, they cut nice with no noise or dust and do not deform the metal.


I now believe as Junk does that a torch can do as nice of work as the plasma, only difference might be consumables and the cool to touch splama ability.

Don't be mislead. Plasma ain't cheap to run. Tips are $5 and electrodes are $25. When the plasma and air compressor are running they are drawing 35 Amps at 460V. You never really count the cost of electricity though do you? The good news is you rarely run out of electricity at midnight in a Saturday night like I always seem to with the Oxy/ Acetelene

 

[poldo]

I've seen guys cut cleaner with a torch than I can with plasma, so don't say it can't be done. Plasma cutters are one of the most overrated tools out there.

Definitely always keep safety in mind.

Sorry disagree the oxy/ace torch will overheat the sheet metal and warping it
for body bork nothing beats a plasma however you can't use a plasma alone
in the shop.
Also plama cutters are cheaper to run .. no gas to buy