RCCrawler Forums

braceysdad · 11-27-2011, 02:08 PM

Is there anything out that's worth a dang yet inexpensive?

jason · 11-27-2011, 02:23 PM

Go look on Pirate in the tools section I've seen some threads over there talking about what is good/bad with the cheap stuff.

braceysdad · 11-27-2011, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason

Go look on Pirate in the tools section I've seen some threads over there talking about what is good/bad with the cheap stuff.

will do... thanks

xgerstandtx · 11-27-2011, 03:19 PM

I was doing some research into this also. The Hobart Airforce line seems to get great reviews and is fairly cheap compared to others. It matters what your going to be doing, the 500i seems like the best deal but it is still 1200 the 250i has the integrated compressor but only cuts minmal thickness.

soutthpaw · 11-27-2011, 03:28 PM

You really need to say what u intend to cut with it. What types of metal and thicknesses do u intend to cut. Plasma is not always the best way and rarely the cheapest.

braceysdad · 11-27-2011, 05:16 PM

3/8" steel would be max

Cordwood · 11-27-2011, 08:01 PM

Check out Parker metal working products. They were all the rage on pirate a couple years back.

losikid · 11-27-2011, 09:23 PM

My dad bought a brand new Hobart plasma cutter at a pawn shop for like $800, and its flat out awesome compared to a torch. It'll do 3/8" plate with no issues, it'll do 1/2" and probably thicker as long as you go slow and steady. and it has alot of use on it, not commercial use but this past summer it was in use every evening, and currently in use every weekend. Its been through quite afew tips but those arn't too expensive. So far its been through 1 1:1 build, and its being used to fab 3 others right now that were aiming to have finished next summer.

I'll find out what model it is if you want me to

Zimm98 · 11-27-2011, 10:21 PM

I have a lot of time on a lotos pilot arc machine. It was around $400 and has worked well with moderate use. Is it as good as a $1000 machine probably not, but for our usage it cuts 1/4" like butter, and is rated for up to 1/2". After having it it would suck not too have it for thoes special times.

JasonInAugusta · 11-27-2011, 10:51 PM

I've been using the Hobart 250ci and I'm happy with it.

frdtrkguy · 11-28-2011, 07:55 AM

My buddy has a Hobart, I cant remember the size but itll cut 1/2 just not nearly as nice cutting as my Hypertherm. I have the Powermax 30 and itll cut 3/8 no prob and will do 1/2 slowly. Not really inexpensive though..

THX_138 · 12-03-2011, 12:49 AM

Plasma cutters are one of those things in life that you most definately "Get what you pay for"... Don't cheap out buying one. Most definately do NOT buy anything with a "built in" compressor.... JUNK!

Thermal Dynamics has been in the forefront of plasmas for a long time.
Hobart is OK, but are welder manufacturers and stepped in the plasma market as second thought.
You should be able to get in to a nice brand new Thermal Dynamic machine that you won't regret being your first plasma for around $750-$800.

The KEY to using a plasma is a very good steady CFM air supply that is extremely dry and equally filtered. Keep your air tank drained of moisture and a high end large (10" minimum) paper filter and you will not only have cleaner faster cuts, but you will absolutely reduce your consumables (tips &nozzles).

A reccomendation that you won't regret as your first machine to learn on.....
A CUTMASTER 120

bastard · 12-03-2011, 07:22 AM

I have used a miller with good success . Buy a good one the first time and be done with it. I am a big miller fan both my tig and mig were bought new almost 30 years ago and have seen daily use and both have held up extremely well.

11-27-2011, 02:08 PM	#1
braceysdad Adilynsdad too! Join Date: May 2004 Location: G ville Posts: 8,844	Inexpensive plasma cutter? Is there anything out that's worth a dang yet inexpensive?

11-27-2011, 02:23 PM	#2
jason R.I.P. Chip Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: The Crawler State Posts: 13,938	Go look on Pirate in the tools section I've seen some threads over there talking about what is good/bad with the cheap stuff.

11-27-2011, 03:19 PM	#4
xgerstandtx RCC Addict Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Marshalltown Posts: 1,003	I was doing some research into this also. The Hobart Airforce line seems to get great reviews and is fairly cheap compared to others. It matters what your going to be doing, the 500i seems like the best deal but it is still 1200 the 250i has the integrated compressor but only cuts minmal thickness.

11-27-2011, 03:28 PM	#5
soutthpaw Pebble Pounder Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Fountain Posts: 100	You really need to say what u intend to cut with it. What types of metal and thicknesses do u intend to cut. Plasma is not always the best way and rarely the cheapest.

11-27-2011, 05:16 PM	#6
braceysdad Adilynsdad too! Join Date: May 2004 Location: G ville Posts: 8,844	3/8" steel would be max

11-27-2011, 08:01 PM	#7
Cordwood Nobody Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Maine Posts: 966	Check out Parker metal working products. They were all the rage on pirate a couple years back.

11-27-2011, 09:23 PM	#8
losikid Got Worms? Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Golden, CO Posts: 6,116	My dad bought a brand new Hobart plasma cutter at a pawn shop for like $800, and its flat out awesome compared to a torch. It'll do 3/8" plate with no issues, it'll do 1/2" and probably thicker as long as you go slow and steady. and it has alot of use on it, not commercial use but this past summer it was in use every evening, and currently in use every weekend. Its been through quite afew tips but those arn't too expensive. So far its been through 1 1:1 build, and its being used to fab 3 others right now that were aiming to have finished next summer. I'll find out what model it is if you want me to

11-27-2011, 10:21 PM	#9
Zimm98 Pebble Pounder Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Rapid City Posts: 147	I have a lot of time on a lotos pilot arc machine. It was around $400 and has worked well with moderate use. Is it as good as a $1000 machine probably not, but for our usage it cuts 1/4" like butter, and is rated for up to 1/2". After having it it would suck not too have it for thoes special times.

11-27-2011, 10:51 PM	#10
JasonInAugusta 06 Super National Champ Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Stark Industries Bar and Grill Posts: 11,361	I've been using the Hobart 250ci and I'm happy with it.

11-28-2011, 07:55 AM	#11
frdtrkguy I wanna be Dave Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: BFE, NV Posts: 2,324	My buddy has a Hobart, I cant remember the size but itll cut 1/2 just not nearly as nice cutting as my Hypertherm. I have the Powermax 30 and itll cut 3/8 no prob and will do 1/2 slowly. Not really inexpensive though..

12-03-2011, 12:49 AM	#12
THX_138 MODERATOR Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: RC Land Posts: 3,185	Plasma cutters are one of those things in life that you most definately "Get what you pay for"... Don't cheap out buying one. Most definately do NOT buy anything with a "built in" compressor.... JUNK! Thermal Dynamics has been in the forefront of plasmas for a long time. Hobart is OK, but are welder manufacturers and stepped in the plasma market as second thought. You should be able to get in to a nice brand new Thermal Dynamic machine that you won't regret being your first plasma for around $750-$800. The KEY to using a plasma is a very good steady CFM air supply that is extremely dry and equally filtered. Keep your air tank drained of moisture and a high end large (10" minimum) paper filter and you will not only have cleaner faster cuts, but you will absolutely reduce your consumables (tips &nozzles). A reccomendation that you won't regret as your first machine to learn on..... A CUTMASTER 120

Sponsored Links

12-03-2011, 07:22 AM	#13
bastard Rock Crawler Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 708	I have used a miller with good success . Buy a good one the first time and be done with it. I am a big miller fan both my tig and mig were bought new almost 30 years ago and have seen daily use and both have held up extremely well.

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