low budget plasma, best value for money?

[whm_fab]

Thanks for the reply Hugh, are the cuts nice and clean? Any pics?

 

[sardine]

I've seen the plasma part adverts, which look like they are flogging cheap Chinese junk, and just going all out on the advertising claims. Are they any good ?

 

[Wendelspanswick]

Even in the specs it says says it should cut 10mm and severe 12mm but its so messy I would rather get the Oxy/Propane out for anything over 10mm.
I was reading an advert in a magazine and they had a 50amp model that would cut 28mm! Can't for the life of me remember which magazine it was or who the manufacturers were, I know it wasn't Thermal Dynamics or Hypertherm though.

Has anyone fitted a Trafimet torch on a cheap Chinese plasma to see if it improves the maximum cut?

 

[KemppiFrog]

Has anyone fitted a Trafimet torch on a cheap Chinese plasma to see if it improves the maximum cut?

Something that I was wondering about too.

 

[chevy2]

Something that I was wondering about too.

My Eastwood (which are chinese) came with this CB50 Trafimet torch.

 

[KemppiFrog]

My Eastwood (which are chinese) came with this CB50 Trafimet torch.

Which begs the question..Does it perform up to expectations for the ampage/depth of cut?
KF

 

[chevy2]

Which begs the question..Does it perform up to expectations for the ampage/depth of cut?
KF

I've cut 12mm@40amps with this torch a few times and its not too bad on consumable life either.

 

[Kent]

Any recommendations for a 240 v up to 16amp? Possibly with its own air rather than a compressor separate? Thinking portability

 

[chevy2]

Any recommendations for a 240 v up to 16amp? Possibly with its own air rather than a compressor separate? Thinking portability

First one that comes to mind with its own compressor is the Lincoln one but you may need a seperate external air supply to cut at the higher amps as the on board compressor may not be man enough.

 

[Sidewinder]

Any suggestions please looking at around the budget in these ebay ads?

Not sure which would be the better machine?

VAT & 3ph not an issue!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CUT-50-Pl...?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Other&hash=item4170960dd6

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/THERMAL-D...268?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item20e98de9f4


Thanks in advance

 

[kelvinjouhar]

First one that comes to mind with its own compressor is the Lincoln one but you may need a seperate external air supply to cut at the higher amps as the on board compressor may not be man enough.

I like the look of the Lincoln. There are two machines... the PC208 (which only has the onboard compressor) and the PC210 which can be connected to an external compressor for additional capability. I have not come across any other cutters with an onboard compressor.

Looking at the specs, the PC210 looks good for 10mm , which I think is more than enough for my (hobby) requirements.

 

[norlander]

I've got a cut 50 -it works fine-I did not want pilot arc for what I use it for, it came with a decent torch-ie not the flimsy paddle type-I think quality of cut might be down to the"quality"of the compressed air-I have a 3HP compressor and I get nice cuts.
However, looks like you are in the pro game so I don't know-when I worked for meself I bought the top kit and chucked the invoices at my accountant.
But if the plasma is not going to get a lot of hammer you could go for a DIY level kit.

 

[Mr shiney]

Which begs the question..Does it perform up to expectations for the ampage/depth of cut?
KF

Mine does. Cuts clean and seems to be reliable. I have even cut bolts out of holes with it.