Budget Plasma Cutter.....Which one?
Budget Plasma Cutter.....Which one? Fellas, I'm looking for a plasma cutter that wont break the bank. There's loads of stuff on ebay. I mainly will be using it to cut 1/8" stainless or thinner. I need a 110v capable unit. What do you have and how do you like it? Do I really need a pilot arc unit or does a scratch start or non pilot arc unit start easily enough. I've never used a plasma. I have plenty experience in stick, tig, and mig.
-my budget is around $400
-i'd like to be able to source consumables easily/cheaply
let me know what youve got/used/borrowed and your thoughts.
-my budget is around $400
-i'd like to be able to source consumables easily/cheaply
let me know what youve got/used/borrowed and your thoughts.
Restricted User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 7,192
Likes: 109
From: Ohio
The ebay ones work OK. I had mine for about a year when it stopped working (which may have been my fault, I dunno).
If you're going to get an ebay unit, get the pilot arc. You don't know how good it is until you have to go back to not having it.
For $400 I would look for a used Hypertherm somewhere.
If you're going to get an ebay unit, get the pilot arc. You don't know how good it is until you have to go back to not having it.
For $400 I would look for a used Hypertherm somewhere.
The ebay ones work OK. I had mine for about a year when it stopped working (which may have been my fault, I dunno).
If you're going to get an ebay unit, get the pilot arc. You don't know how good it is until you have to go back to not having it.
For $400 I would look for a used Hypertherm somewhere.
If you're going to get an ebay unit, get the pilot arc. You don't know how good it is until you have to go back to not having it.
For $400 I would look for a used Hypertherm somewhere.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pilot-Arc-P...a/172357294631
Thats good to know. it appears there are a few copies of that unit available in the $200 range and are likely the same unit.
I’ve had my eye on the Jegs cut 40 too. I’ve heard nothing but good things about it. It’s on my short list as soon as Christmas shopping is done. You can get it on their eBay store for $242 which is less than their website. You can also get consumables from 3rd party vendors on eBay for dirt cheap. Plus they have good customer service in case any issues come up. I doubt you could say the same for a no-name seller of a similar clone machine.
I’ve had my eye on the Jegs cut 40 too. I’ve heard nothing but good things about it. It’s on my short list as soon as Christmas shopping is done. You can get it on their eBay store for $242 which is less than their website. You can also get consumables from 3rd party vendors on eBay for dirt cheap. Plus they have good customer service in case any issues come up. I doubt you could say the same for a no-name seller of a similar clone machine.
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On The Tree
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 184
Likes: 17
From: napanoch ny
i bought a lotos ltp5000d from amazon a couple years ago. i think it was around $300-350. it can be used in 220v or 110v but to use 110v you have to get an adapter plug which was about $30. it works great for what ive used it for. it does not have abuilt in compressor so you supply the air. it is a pilot arc unit also. i was gonna buy the jegs unit but they were on backorder for a few months back in 2016.
I guess i should let you guys know what i went with. I got it on sale for a little cheaper, but I chose this unit:
why i chose it?
1) price
2) fast shipping from amazon
3) pilot Arc type
4) runs on 110v
5) easy to get and very cheap consumables
I used it for the first time last night. You dont have to touch the tip to get it started but it does need to be pretty close. I cut some schedule 10 stainless i had leftover from my turbo build. I set it to 40 amps, cut through it like a hot knife through butter. I wish I would have had this on my first build, cutting the log would have been MUCH easier. O well, thats why i have it now, building another turbo setup for a buddy of mine. I should have bought this a long time ago!
why i chose it?
1) price
2) fast shipping from amazon
3) pilot Arc type
4) runs on 110v
5) easy to get and very cheap consumables
I used it for the first time last night. You dont have to touch the tip to get it started but it does need to be pretty close. I cut some schedule 10 stainless i had leftover from my turbo build. I set it to 40 amps, cut through it like a hot knife through butter. I wish I would have had this on my first build, cutting the log would have been MUCH easier. O well, thats why i have it now, building another turbo setup for a buddy of mine. I should have bought this a long time ago!
