Which sub £1k plasma cutter?

[julianf]

Im looking into this on behalf of a friend.


His budget is not fixed. He would like to spend less, im sure.
ie he does not specifically have £1k to spend, and, im sure, would rather it be sub £500, but he does not want to buy twice, if you see what i mean?

He wants to do some weather vane type artistic stuff, but also does a fair bit of agricultual stick welding, on box section. Smaller trailers, gates, fences and the like. Not multi-tonne tractor stuff though. I cant see him wanting to cut 1/2" plate, more that he would like to cut 1/4" nice and cleanly.

He has a 13cfm compressor (well, ive lent him one!) but no drying kit.


I see the names "cut 40" and "cut 50" thrown about, but being generic terms, it does not tie it down much for me.



I realise its a huge question, but im having some trouble even getting an idea at the moment - i have only a passing interest in plasma cutting, so have never looked into it for myself.

 

[Shedendman]

you(or he) wont go wrong with what R-Tech have to offer
http://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/welding_equipment/Plasma_Cutter

 

[skotl]

Might be an idea to have the mods move this to the plasma-cutting section; you may get more responses there.

(to ask, hit the "Report" link on any of the above posts)

 

[Gareth0123]

I purchased an R-Tec P30C, 30amp Plasma cutter 6 or so weeks ago to replace an old LTD CT416, 3in1 machine with a built in 40amp plasma cutter. I am using my R-Tec commercially for approx. 6-8 hours per week. I am cutting both new and used material in 5mm, 6mm & 8mm MS and 5mm durbar plate, and I have undertaken repair work including up to rusty old 12mm M/S and 16mm Ø BZP bolts with it, but these last two are severance cuts. I am using my plasma cutter in both workshop and on-site environments. Current work-In-Progress includes stuff for local sculptors, Vintage farm equipment, and a Tram that was last used and was decommissioned in 1938 (I am unsure how it survived the 2nd world war calls for scrap metal) along with other jobs that come through the workshop door. The supplied torch is a PT31 and the consumables are easy enough and cheap enough to come by. I get nice clean cuts, but I do have a moisture trap permanently fixed to my compressor, with the airline running from this to the moisture trap supplied with the plasma cutter.

 

[armalites]

I bought a second hand Hypertherm Powermax 30 for £700 that had little use and was in nice condition. Great bit of kit from one of if not the best plasma makers.

 

[AndyStobbs]

If he's into agri repairs the extra capability of a 100A machine would surely come in handy at some point. Has he not got oxy acetylene? 99.9% of everything on a farm is steel.

 

[daleyd]

If he's into agri repairs the extra capability of a 100A machine would surely come in handy at some point. Has he not got oxy acetylene? 99.9% of everything on a farm is steel.

100 amps for less than a grand, and you'd need a 3 phase supply? Seems a bit overkill for what the original post said! I'm all for getting the biggest and best, (buy once and all that) but that sounds a bit of a jump.

 

[chevy2]

I'm a great believer of if its a tool thats gonna get a lot of use and gives the best results then buy the best,
i do a far lot more welding than plasma cutting so i bought what i thought was the best welder,
as for plasma cutting its an occaisional use machine so i bought an Eastwood,

if it was gonna match the usage of the welder it would be an easy choice, i'd get a Hypertherm.

 

[Maker]

For that budget, I'd say; get a second hand Hypertherm. The 45 amp one if possible because the torch can't be removed on the 30, so if he ever gets/builds a CNC plasma or wants one of them silly looking long reach torches for something, he can easily change it over. If he's ever needing to cut something bigger than what these will handle then he needs Oxy/Propane (which, depending on how much he uses it, Oxy/Propane may be cheaper).

 

[Maker]

I'd have oxy/act anyday over oxypropane....

I only said it because it's cheaper but either will work.

 

[Mr shiney]

I have an Eastwood plasma with the CB50 torch. It's been terrific value. Cuts really nicely and easy to strike an age even on crap material. I have clean cut 10mm with it and severed thicker. Beyond that I use the gas axe which is pretty rare. I run that oxy aceteylene.

 

[AndyStobbs]

100 amps for less than a grand, and you'd need a 3 phase supply? Seems a bit overkill for what the original post said! I'm all for getting the biggest and best, (buy once and all that) but that sounds a bit of a jump.

At roughly 1" per 100A then it would be well worth it just for making something as basic as bucket brackets. Have seen plenty of plasmas of that size go for under a grand, because I've been casually after one myself. Ideally not at the other end of the country. He must have 3 phase anyway, you can't do much MIG welding of agri sized equipment with less than 300A weld current.

 

[Maker]

At roughly 1" per 100A then it would be well worth it just for making something as basic as bucket brackets. Have seen plenty of plasmas of that size go for under a grand, because I've been casually after one myself. Ideally not at the other end of the country. He must have 3 phase anyway, you can't do much MIG welding of agri sized equipment with less than 300A weld current.

He never said MIG welding, and the agri side of what he does might be gates and fences. If a cheap, high amperage plasma comes up though, whip it up. In my experience, people only sell bargains 100+ miles away from me but a pallet courier will solve that problem .

 

[daleyd]

At roughly 1" per 100A then it would be well worth it just for making something as basic as bucket brackets. Have seen plenty of plasmas of that size go for under a grand, because I've been casually after one myself. Ideally not at the other end of the country. He must have 3 phase anyway, you can't do much MIG welding of agri sized equipment with less than 300A weld current.

The original post mentioned cutting 1/4" thickness plate, and some welding on box section (stick not mig).

 

[AndyStobbs]

Jesus how pedantic.

 

[daleyd]

Jesus how pedantic.

I'm not sure what you mean andy, I was just trying to be helpful relating the original post. A 100 amp plasma just didn't sound right for his needs, given his budget and intended use.

Obviously if he could get one for a good price AND had a 3 phase supply then why not?