Parkside PPSK 40 B2 - keep or return?

[Retro Rust]

Hi all, I bought this Parkside Plasma Cutter the other week as I know when Lidl gets them in they all sell pretty quickly. I've unboxed it but not used it yet as I'm not sure if I should return it/it won't be that useful for what I want to do. I've only just starting welding and want to work towards fixing my own cars.
Do people use plasma cutters on cars really? I'm guessing cutting a floor out it could create more of a fire hazard than angle grinding with underseal ? Also I've seen a couple of reviews with people struggling to get them to do the job properly? I'm wondering If I should take it back and spend the £120 on better power tools etc?

 

[voipio]

They're surprisingly capable. Someone else was cutting 8mm steel bar with theirs, the other day:

https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/middle-of-lidl.124598/post-2559204

For cutting vehicle metalwork, a pilot arc torch would be better, as it will cut through the paint, but it's fairly simple to adapt a pilot arc torch to work with this plasma cutter.

 

[gaz1]

ive bought one might as well try one

you need an air compressor as well with them for them to work alot of people dont realise this when they buy one of them better to use a compressor than an onboard one

review reference

they are good and worth there money more so one sheet materials they cut for fun better than a grinder

is there a learning curve yes ,will you damage the nozzles yes you will while you learn ( have replacements handy )

can you use them on other stuff like angle iron box section yes

would i keep it when not in use yes it has its handiness when it needs to be used

pilot arc is better with cars though

 

[winchman]

I think for £120 it's a bargain, ok not something you may use everyday but very handy when you need it. We have the same one ready for a job we just haven't got around to yet. If you not used it in two years sell it you should get most of your moneyback

 

[bricol]

Lot quieter to use than an angle grinder if you are working outside with neighbours around, or in the evening etc.

Find mine (not a Parkside, an unknown brand I've had for over 20 yrs, bought second hand) very useful - once you get the hang of it, fast, clean cuts easily made.

When I think of the time I spent with grinders and drill powered nibblers cutting cars about, when a plasma would have made it quicker and easier. Okay, you will have to watch for and be prepared to deal with stuff potentially catching fire - but you would with a grinder and certainly when you weld in any repairs.

 

[dave h 2]

For the short sighted among us integrated compressor.
More useful than you think.
As above quiet compared to a grinder and able to get into smaller spaces, cuts faster, able to blow out broken taps (that handy cross in the tip aids alignment) no distortion to speak of, good for circles. Drag cut. I have the 30A, cuts painted steel if starting on an edge
Down side is it needs a guide for straight edges, it's a bit like holding a spray can. I use wood lath.

 

[RonMig]

I got the £60 version in 2021 (i've got a seperate compressor), can't go wrong at that price, never know what you might use it for, not just cars...
Got mine halfway through doing repairs to my brothers mower deck - had done loads of cutting with slitting disc but got complaints as above...
Lidl cutter breezed through relatively quietly.
Happy for it to be in storage waiting for next time.

Got some 10mm sheet to cut soon - might be tricky with a 30A unit but not many options really...

 

[MattF]

Unless you need the space and/or money, keep it. It will come in useful.

 

[redlig]

Hi all, I bought this Parkside Plasma Cutter the other week as I know when Lidl gets them in they all sell pretty quickly. I've unboxed it but not used it yet as I'm not sure if I should return it/it won't be that useful for what I want to do. I've only just starting welding and want to work towards fixing my own cars.
Do people use plasma cutters on cars really? I'm guessing cutting a floor out it could create more of a fire hazard than angle grinding with underseal ? Also I've seen a couple of reviews with people struggling to get them to do the job properly? I'm wondering If I should take it back and spend the £120 on better power tools etc?

View attachment 486919

One thing that has puzzled me lately is that I always had the impression that shops SOLD me things and would replace or reimburse me if they failed . It seems that they have become a new form of lending library where you can take the stuff back if you change your mind . Hence the land fill is full of perfectly useable new products which have to be payed for in higher prices . Or have I got this wrong?

 

[NickW]

They're very handy for rough cuts, as you can slice a sill, wing or grotty floor quicker, quieter and with less hassle than using a grinder. And with some practice you might manage to trim holes well enough to fit the replacement. Also useful for cutting slightly thicker metal, especially when used with templates

 

[ajlelectronics]

Or have I got this wrong?

It does seem that way when certain types of people take advantage by getting many variants of clothing and sending most or all of them back. Also those who wear for a special occasion and then return them. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 is very much biased in favour of the buyer, but still Ebuyer, Currys and SGS et al pretend otherwise.

 

[Morrisman]

One thing that has puzzled me lately is that I always had the impression that shops SOLD me things and would replace or reimburse me if they failed . It seems that they have become a new form of lending library where you can take the stuff back if you change your mind . Hence the land fill is full of perfectly useable new products which have to be payed for in higher prices . Or have I got this wrong?

That was something I discovered 20 years ago. American friend worked in their equivalent of Argos one summer, and told me that guys would come in on a Friday, for example, buy a compressor and spray gun, use it to paint a car over the weekend, then return it Monday. Obviously soiled and used, and get their money back with no argument. Unbelievable…..

And next thing, I’m hearing the same is happening here in the U.K. Argos. No reason, no excuses, just tell them you don’t want it anymore.

The store doesn’t care, the costs are just added to the overall prices of everything else they sell.

 

[Cobbler]

I heard of someone whose wife worked for Argos, when going on holiday get a couple of new cases, 2 weeks later return them. I said what if damaged & was told claim off insurance & still take them back. For an employee, I thought that was terrible, but all her workmates were up to it.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

That was something I discovered 20 years ago. American friend worked in their equivalent of Argos one summer, and told me that guys would come in on a Friday, for example, buy a compressor and spray gun, use it to paint a car over the weekend, then return it Monday. Obviously soiled and used, and get their money back with no argument. Unbelievable…..

And next thing, I’m hearing the same is happening here in the U.K. Argos. No reason, no excuses, just tell them you don’t want it anymore.

The store doesn’t care, the costs are just added to the overall prices of everything else they sell.

Friends wife worked at M&S. She says it was quite common for people to buy a dress etc on a Friday, wear it that weekend and then return on Monday for refund She also had to deal with used underwear but M&S policy was not to quibble !

 

[Seadog]

It probably illustrates just how much we're being ripped off. Cheap goods from China, dirt cheap, a huge mark-up. We're the mugs.

 

[bourbon]

Just don't try that trick where I work. We have send it back to head office to be inspected first, BEFORE we decide what to do. Rare to give a refund. If we are in a good mood, you MAY get a credit note. come in all guns blazing and demanding. ' There's the door, bye'

 

[8ob]

Used mine a fair bit, it manages 6mm without a problem on its internal compressor.

Bob

 

[MattF]

It probably illustrates just how much we're being ripped off. Cheap goods from China, dirt cheap, a huge mark-up. We're the mugs.

Conversely, it also illustrates the lack of morals & principle a lot of folk possess.

 

[Robotstar5]

Friends wife worked at M&S. She says it was quite common for people to buy a dress etc on a Friday, wear it that weekend and then return on Monday for refund She also had to deal with used underwear but M&S policy was not to quibble !

My younger sister did that years ago for some special event she was going to.

 

[Robotstar5]

Just don't try that trick where I work. We have send it back to head office to be inspected first, BEFORE we decide what to do. Rare to give a refund. If we are in a good mood, you MAY get a credit note. come in all guns blazing and demanding. ' There's the door, bye'

I must have caught them in a good mood a few years ago when I bought a battery impact driver, the reversing switch didn't work so I took it back the following day, he tried to make some joke about one direction which went straight over my head as I'd never heard of them, but did exchange it on the spot.