Buying a Plasma Cutter

[wrinx]

Hi all....

I'd be grateful for any owner opinions on the following machines before I make a final decision...I was favouring the IFL i-tech machine but the Pilot torch on the £399 PlasmaOne is tempting. I'm only a DIY'er so usage will be fairly light although up to 10mm is likely.

I'm keen to avoid the really "cheap" ebay machines from China, mainly because of the logistical problems associated with any returns. So, my budget is around £400-ish.

Eastwood versacut - not the most powerful machine, reasonably priced but only 1yr warranty.

R-TECH P30C - good reviews here but I read one post where the person said it struggled with 6mm plate and the torch isn't very good :O

IFL i-TECH Cut 40 - reads very well but is the most expensive of my shortlist. Is this a contact torch, read that's not such a good idea?

PlasmaOne 40Amp - various machines from £299 to £399, the latter (PP43) having the best torch (Pilot). The baby at £299 would meet my needs though.


I like the fact that all are distributed by UK companies so there's some comeback and they all appear to be very customer focussed.

Any comments...?

wrinx

 

[Gareth0123]

quote from an earlier post of mine
']']
']"I have an R-Tec P30C. I bought it 3 months ago, and I am using it commercially in my workshop for about 8-10 hours a week cutting 3, 5, 6 & 8mm M/S plate. My R-Tec plasma cutter has done as much work in 3 months as my LTD did in 3 years!
']I did use an LTD 416 combined 3-in-1 Plasma/stick/tig machine which I stuffed before replacing it with the R-Tec. The 40amp Plasma cutter on the 416 was nowhere near as clean cutting, capable or comfortable to use as my 30 amp R-Tec, and I am also getting considerably better consumable lifespan
']
']I have also cut 12mm and 16mm thick MS plate with it. Cutting the 12mm was not an issue, but I did need a very slow pass for a severance cut on the 16mm. However, the P30C is only rated to clean cut 8mm MS, and severance on 12mm MS, but I am finding it will cut cleanly to 10mm MS.
']
']Yesterday 'er-indoors had a go with it on some 1mm sheet off-cuts and enjoyed herself immensely, and found it to be a lot easier and quicker to use than her tin snips. She is now sketching and drawing the individual sections of the next piece of sculpture she wishes to make, which is going to feature a lot of plasma cut parts. I might even transfer the P30C from my business to Lionwood; our joint owned artistic venture. This would then allow me to purchase the larger capacity P50C, and then for the P30C I would build a down draught table with a stylus follower mechanism so both of us can use cardboard/plywood/plastic/whatever templates using a straight torch permanently attached to the mechanism head, and the original angled torch for free hand and circle cutting.
']
']The R-Tec P30C comes with a PT-31 torch as standard; these are relatively simple, straight forward, no nonsense torches. Although mine has seen in the region of 100 hours work, I have not yet had a need to strip and repair it. OK, I have changed a few sets of consumables, which is a straight forward and quick operation. The ergonomics of the standard PT-31 supplied torch could be better, but after looking at the exploded drawings of it on the net, it would be a straight forward job to make and fit a custom handle body.

 

[skotl]

I'm keen to avoid the really "cheap" ebay machines from China, mainly because of the logistical problems associated with any returns

Yup!

 

[wrinx]

quote from an earlier post of mine

That's good to read, thanks.

wrinx

 

[Gareth0123]

You are welcome.

I am sorry that I messed up the cross quoting from one thread to another and locked the underlining to everything.

 

[wrinx]

I'm now moving towards the R-Tech or IFL.

What are they like for consumables? The IFL sold by Weldequip seems reasonable, are the R-tech ones the same?

wrinx

 

[wrinx]

I was on the verge of deciding when a well priced TEC-ARC appeared on ebay and I'm now it's proud owner

Thanks for your help.

wrinx

 

[skotl]

I was on the verge of deciding when a well priced TEC-ARC appeared on ebay and I'm now it's proud owner

Thanks for your help.

wrinx

Nice! Look forward to seeing the results

 

[wrinx]

Only had chance for a very quick play so far and it sliced through a 5mm ball race with consummate ease

In the immediate future I plan to use is for cutting some 18g drip trays and RSJs!

wrinx

 

[skotl]

Only had chance for a very quick play so far and it sliced through a 5mm ball race with consummate ease

In the immediate future I plan to use is for cutting some 18g drip trays and RSJs!

wrinx

Jeez. What power rating is it?

 

[wrinx]

Sorry for the late reply, been on holiday!

It's rated to 13mm production cut and 17mm severance.

wrinx