Phil99vette

iTrader: (11)

Anyone have a good recommendation? Needs to be able to cut up to 1/2" steel and 1/4 - 1/2" aluminum.
Phil

Old Geezer

iTrader: (3)

LINCOLN PRO-CUT 55. It does all we need, and will cut stuff as thick as 1".
LINCOLN website:
Pro-Cut 55 1" 25-60A DC

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xfactor_pitbulls

iTrader: (16)

Thermal Dynamics cutmaster 51 is the bigger of what I have. They are about $1500, but will max cut 1/2" aluminum and 3/4" steel. The lincoln that Geezer listed is one step up and probably going to last alittle better, I think about $500 more. There are so many choices nowadays and most of the manufacturers have gone to 3 year warranties. Word to the wise though, always look up welder and welding equipment repair shops before you buy new. Often times you can pick up a machine that someone did not want to get fixed. The shop will put in a new board or whatever and you basically have a reliable machine that will save you some money. What price range do you need to stay?

Brandon

Phil99vette

iTrader: (11)

I'd love to find one under 1k but 1000-1400 is probably my max.

xfactor_pitbulls

iTrader: (16)

Thats typical for most guys. The only issue you are going to run into is having a machine with enough amps in that price range to cut 1/2" alum. Generally figure it takes about 25% more power to cut alum. in the same thickness as steel. If I were you, I would look around used in the local classifieds, tool traders, repair shops, etc. Also, dont know if you have 3 phase power, but there are some industrial cutters used (I am talking about some 1.5"-2" steel cutting mothers)that are not worth alot because of the 3 phase limitations. Shop around a bunch before you pull the trigger. Thermal dynamics, esab, lincoln, miller are all good brands (mostly). Just be wary if you by used. Open the cover and look around inside around the board and wiring and see how much trash and dust is in there, cleaner the better.

antz01ta

iTrader: (3)

i would look into the Hypertherm Powermax 600, it's right in your price range. Hypertherm makes some killer machines. I have a Powermax 900 on my CNC table and it works great, it has been used hard for 7 years in our shop without one problem, it's cut everything from 26ga galvanized to 3/4" steel plate to 3/16" stainless steel diamond plate. If i was going to buy a machine for my garage i wouldn't buy anything but a Hypertherm.

mitchntx

iTrader: (14)

I have an old Miller. It will cut anything I've put on the table. It does struggle with anything over 3/16 steel.

xfactor_pitbulls

iTrader: (16)

I forgot to mention hypertherm, that is a good machine as well. But I think they rate the 600 at 5/8" severence in steel. So you would figure about 3/8" aluminum. How thick of alum. have you guys actually cut?

antz01ta

iTrader: (3)

i'm pretty sure the 600 is rated at 3/4 severence in steel. the thickest aluminum i have cut with our machine is probably 3/8, it is rated to 5/8, but i have the 900 machine on a cnc table. i have cut 3/4 steel with ease. a friend of mine has a Powermax 600 for his garage and he loves it.

TaylorL572

hypertherm 600 is what i have its about 1300 but itll sever 7/8 and rated for clean cut at 1/2 thick. it works good

LS1_4seater

iTrader: (3)

ditto on the Hypertherm 600 great machine

Armageddon

iTrader: (41)

I had a buddy get an ESAB plasma for free because the guy thought it was broken. He hooked it up and it worked... talk about stupid luck. It's a smaller unit I'm not sure the model exactly but it works great. Havn't used any other ones than this ESAB though.

Gordon0652

iTrader: (4)

Miller Spectrum 375, i own one, and i love it, but you also need a decent air compressor also...

waltsfastz

iTrader: (4)

Ive used ESAB and Hypertherms quite a bit where I used to work. They both are good Plasma cutters. The guns on the ESAB units sened to last a little longer though.