Inexpensive plasma cutter
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 271
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From: Wilmington DE
Inexpensive plasma cutter Do any of you have any experience with Harbor Freight / Chicago Electric plasma cutters?
They have one on sale that doesn't seem too bad for the money:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=95136
Right now it is $649 at the local store.
Now I know that it might not be the top of the line, with Miller, Lincoln, etc being a bit better. But at the same time, their models are all over $1000.
I'd be using this for basically cutting sheet metal on a 69 camaro I'm working on. Nothing too heavy, just something to make life a bit easier on panel replacements.
I already have a 220 outlet for the welder, so that shouldn't be an issue for this device.
Just looking for some thougths to see if this might be worth it for light/occasional use, or if I should just pass and stick with the air chisel/drill/pry method
They have one on sale that doesn't seem too bad for the money:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=95136
Right now it is $649 at the local store.
Now I know that it might not be the top of the line, with Miller, Lincoln, etc being a bit better. But at the same time, their models are all over $1000.
I'd be using this for basically cutting sheet metal on a 69 camaro I'm working on. Nothing too heavy, just something to make life a bit easier on panel replacements.
I already have a 220 outlet for the welder, so that shouldn't be an issue for this device.
Just looking for some thougths to see if this might be worth it for light/occasional use, or if I should just pass and stick with the air chisel/drill/pry method
On The Tree
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 166
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I would suggest spending alittle more and getting a quality machine. Take a look at this
http://www.airgas.com/browse/product...D=94&WT.svl=94
http://www.airgas.com/browse/product...D=94&WT.svl=94
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 271
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From: Wilmington DE
Thanks for the link 04LS1. There are a lot listed on that site..
Took a look and there were a couple in the $600-$700 range. The detail says they are open box or floor models so I might call to get info.
Most of the others look like they get back up over $1000.
Took a look and there were a couple in the $600-$700 range. The detail says they are open box or floor models so I might call to get info.
Most of the others look like they get back up over $1000.
It's hard to get a "Inexpensive plasma cutter" thoes few words do not go togather to well.
The Thermal Dynamics® CUTMASTER™ 38 Air Plasma has a great price!
But if you can
The Thermal Dynamics® CUTMASTER™ 81 Air Plasma is better for the money.
I have the Miller Spectrum 375 and i love it but now that i see the price on the Thermal Dynamics 81 Air Plasma i will be trading in my Miller & cash for that.
-KMMG
The Thermal Dynamics® CUTMASTER™ 38 Air Plasma has a great price!
But if you can
The Thermal Dynamics® CUTMASTER™ 81 Air Plasma is better for the money.
I have the Miller Spectrum 375 and i love it but now that i see the price on the Thermal Dynamics 81 Air Plasma i will be trading in my Miller & cash for that.
-KMMG
8 Second Club
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 371
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From: Savannah, TN
I will tell you befor you buy check the price of the consumables. Miller and lincoln have other brands that make cheaper consumibles for ther stuff. Weldcraft makes the ones i buy. also ask them if you have a problem will you pay for shipment to repair or wil they. Tractor supply will tell you it is under factory warranty and you are the one that will pay for shipment. A friend of mine went thru that i tried to to tell him to go Blue but the one at tractor suppy was cheaper. By the time 2 years was up from high consumibes and shipping it for repairs it would have been cheaper for the blue. Some welding supply charge some dont. Just ask because service means somthing . And put a water seperator on the plasma and if you are going to do alot of cutting crack the valve and it will help the biggest issue is mosture in the feed air.
That price ($649) is not a very good one for Chinese
hardware. For the same, you could get a DC TIG /
stick capability thrown in any old time, on eBay.
The only good thing about HFreight is, you can get a
no-hassle warranty (drop off a dead one, go home
with a live one, and they don't want the accessories
back). For $, of course.
I just bought an Everlast 160 AC/DC TIG, stick,
50A plasma cutter combo for $1100 shipped.
Should be arriving tomorrow. I didn't see a single
blue or red box with AC & HF go for under $3K
in 6 months of watching. Should take a good
while to burn up $2K worth of consumables.
The electronics, I'm willing to fix myself if they
fry.
hardware. For the same, you could get a DC TIG /
stick capability thrown in any old time, on eBay.
The only good thing about HFreight is, you can get a
no-hassle warranty (drop off a dead one, go home
with a live one, and they don't want the accessories
back). For $, of course.
I just bought an Everlast 160 AC/DC TIG, stick,
50A plasma cutter combo for $1100 shipped.
Should be arriving tomorrow. I didn't see a single
blue or red box with AC & HF go for under $3K
in 6 months of watching. Should take a good
while to burn up $2K worth of consumables.
The electronics, I'm willing to fix myself if they
fry.
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 271
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From: Wilmington DE
I'll have to ask about the warranty deal at the store. And also look at the consumables. I'm guessing that is mainly the tips that would wear out?
I went through this same dilema when I bought a welder, and stepped up to a lincoln SP 180 220v unit so it would last me.
But what are the advantages of the more expensive unit? I won't be cutting metal much thicker then body sheet metal. I know a better unit could have an easier job doing thicker stuff. And aside from if the box just falls apart (seemed pretty solid but don't know about the internals), what else should I be looking at?
I went through this same dilema when I bought a welder, and stepped up to a lincoln SP 180 220v unit so it would last me.
But what are the advantages of the more expensive unit? I won't be cutting metal much thicker then body sheet metal. I know a better unit could have an easier job doing thicker stuff. And aside from if the box just falls apart (seemed pretty solid but don't know about the internals), what else should I be looking at?
