frcefed98

iTrader: (16)

Got my eye on the thermal dynamics drag gun plasma cutter for 699.

Should do the light cutting I want to do with it, I also have my eye on a hobart, clarke and miller all for about 1100.

Post up your choices on what to get for the basic garage set up 120V

J

Wnts2Go10O

iTrader: (12)

u seem mechanically inclined... make one and tell us how it turns out=)

i havent ever heard about the reliability or lack there of, of the chinese ones..

frcefed98

iTrader: (16)

Thhhhaaaaannkssss

Yeah I'm pretty mechanically inclined and i'm adding to my selection of tools in my garage for more DIY'er projects, plasma cutter being one I want to add for making various flanges, cutting up the car etc.. etc...

So with that said, who has any experience with your base model plasma cutters from hobart, miller, thermal dynamic and did they last and do what you wanted it to do?

Silverback

Well, I know that plasma cutter prices are dropping, so I don’t know which exact models are available in that range right now, but I’d be pretty surprised if any of them were sufficient to cut out decent exhaust flanges (from the turbo stuff in your sig I’d guess 3/8” and ½” steel would be appropriate).

My HTP 38 (could be a 40, I think that they were changing their model lines around when I got it) works OK up to about ¼” and past that gets sketchy. It’s rated for 3/8”cut, and sometimes it will cut stuff in the 3/8” and even as heavy as ½”, but sometimes it won’t, it gets really sensitive to setup, air supply moisture and I’m guessing stuff that I haven’t figured out yet.

I know that the similar sized miller is about the same, just more consistent and seems to be worth a cleaner cut.

Diamond Jim

Most of the Chinese imports use an inverter. Longevity and heavy duty use is not the best when using a cheap inverter.

Get at least one rated at 40 amps. Amps is what is important here, not what they claim in their advertisements, which tell what is possible under perfect conditions, not real world conditions.

mitchntx

iTrader: (14)

Look at the cost of replacement parts on the torch for the specific model you are looking at.

Spending $300 up front on a different brand might save you 3 or 4 times that in parts cost.

I have an old style Miller with a little ceramic cup at the tip. This cup costs $70 to replace and is extremely fragile.

antz01ta

iTrader: (3)

i have one of these and it works well, i am happy with it's performance for the price.

2MuchRiceMakesMeSick

did you ever get a plasma cutter? which one ...how did it work out?

im looking at a miller right now

1baddls1

iTrader: (31)

My friend has a Lincoln Pro-Cut 25, its about $1100. Does real nice cuts in steel up to 5/16 its a little rough on 3/8's but it will cut it. He uses a water separator, and a disposable inline paint gun filter to keep the moisture out.

oange ss

iTrader: (50)

it'll cut it fine, just have to go really slow...i had a Harbor Freight model for 3 days then it **** itself, so stay away from those..