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Plasma Cutter

slag

slag

Lifer
I've been using a grinding wheel to cut some 1/4 inch steel plate (I'm making a shovel), and realized that if I want to do more metal work and welding, I need a better way to cut metal.

Enter the plasma cutter.

I don't need to spend a lot as the unit won't get a ton of usage, but I want it to be there when I need/want it. I have 220 to the garage already as well, but many units work on 110 as well for up to 12 gauge (1/4 inch is 11 gauge which would require 220)

I have an 80 gallon single stage air compressor already so that shouldn't be an issue.

What am I missing to get something like this, other than money? It has great reviews.

http://www.amazon.com/LT5000D-Lotos-...=plasma+cutter
 
Look at the first Q&A on the product:

Apparently LOTOS is bribing their customers for 5 star reviews. Is that legal? The other answer, now deleted, included this:

"I bought a LT5000D from LOTOS and then they emailed me offering me free consumables if I would come on here and write a 5 star review. That is just lame. Shame on all of you who took the bribe.

Here is the exact email I received from LOTOS offering me free consumables on the condition that I come on here and write a 5 star review. Judge for yourself:

Currently we are offering 20 FREE consumables if you can provide a positive 5 STAR REVIEW for us on Amazon.com"
Click to expand...

I would avoid at all costs.


Get anything Hypertherm. Hands down the best plasma cutters made. Everything else I've used: Miller, Thermal Dynamics, and Everlast, are pretty shitty in comparison. Not only are they the best, but they're a company worth supporting. I have the feeling that if you got a good plasma cutter you would find a reason to use it more and more frequently. I know I did.

Edit: Powermax30 would cut 1/4 plate no problem. Not sure if there's a better price around. http://www.airgas.com/browse/produc...=86f0c9b3558daeb50e94434f5e174e38&fo_s=gplaus
 
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JCH13 said:
Look at the first Q&A on the product:



I would avoid at all costs.


Get anything Hypertherm. Hands down the best plasma cutters made. Everything else I've used: Miller, Thermal Dynamics, and Everlast, are pretty shitty in comparison. Not only are they the best, but they're a company worth supporting. I have the feeling that if you got a good plasma cutter you would find a reason to use it more and more frequently. I know I did.

Edit: Powermax30 would cut 1/4 plate no problem. Not sure if there's a better price around. http://www.airgas.com/browse/produc...=86f0c9b3558daeb50e94434f5e174e38&fo_s=gplaus
Click to expand...

I saw that post about bribing people but the one you posted is about double what I want to spend. I can't afford a 1k tool right now for the little bit I would use it but maybe I'll find something at a farm auction.
 
They used Miller at my high school for just about everything. (Blue box of magic) They worked fine. That said, I don't know if a plasma cutter is worth the cost if you're not cutting a lot of =< quarter inch metal. And I mean a lot... everyday.
 
grinding wheel -> angle grinder + cutting disc?

i've always wanted a plasma cutter, got a metal bandsaw instead (probably too small for your purposes)


PAPST Advanced German Cooling System
Click to expand...

hehe does that mean they used a PAPST fan instead of a delta?
 
PottedMeat said:
grinding wheel -> angle grinder + cutting disc?

i've always wanted a plasma cutter, got a metal bandsaw instead (probably too small for your purposes)




hehe does that mean they used a PAPST fan instead of a delta?
Click to expand...

lol, yes, i couldnt remember what the darn thing was called. I use an angle grinder with a cutting disc. It started out around 4-5 inches, now is about 2 1/2. I'm going through it fast.
 
slag said:
I saw that post about bribing people but the one you posted is about double what I want to spend. I can't afford a 1k tool right now for the little bit I would use it but maybe I'll find something at a farm auction.
Click to expand...

Fair enough. Same reason there isn't one in my garage :'(

The metal bandsaw gave be an idea... ever use an awesome portaband?

If you keep a good blade on it, you'll go through steel like butter, and it will be a lot safer than smoking cutoff wheels. I've used that one and it's freakin' awesome. There are even stands to turn it into a vertical bandsaw if you like.
 
slag said:
I've been using a grinding wheel to cut some 1/4 inch steel plate (I'm making a shovel), and realized that if I want to do more metal work and welding, I need a better way to cut metal.

Enter the plasma cutter.

I don't need to spend a lot as the unit won't get a ton of usage, but I want it to be there when I need/want it. I have 220 to the garage already as well, but many units work on 110 as well for up to 12 gauge (1/4 inch is 11 gauge which would require 220)
Click to expand...

1/4 inch is most certainly not 11 gauge.

2 sheets of 11 gauge would be close to 1/4 inch.

1/4 inch steel plate would be a heck of a shovel...is it for a backhoe?
 
I don't know why I keep saying 1/4 inch. It's 1/8 inch.. sorry for the confusion, it was all on my part. It still takes forever to grind through.
 
slag said:
I don't know why I keep saying 1/4 inch. It's 1/8 inch.. sorry for the confusion, it was all on my part. It still takes forever to grind through.
Click to expand...

Still a hell of a shovel. 😛

Once you have a plasma cutter, you may find yourself doing more metalwork, thus justifying purchasing it in the first place...right?
 
I think that lotos may be the one I have, can't remember the model number. Everything else I have is top quality, Miller, Thermal Arc, ESAB, but I just wanted to try one out. It's worked quite well for me. For 1/8" steel, hot knife through butter. Nothing else can match the precision of a plasma cutter. You'll spend more time taking the machine out and getting it setup than you will cutting the steel
 
JCH13 said:
Fair enough. Same reason there isn't one in my garage :'(

The metal bandsaw gave be an idea... ever use an awesome portaband?

If you keep a good blade on it, you'll go through steel like butter, and it will be a lot safer than smoking cutoff wheels. I've used that one and it's freakin' awesome. There are even stands to turn it into a vertical bandsaw if you like.
Click to expand...

I somehow missed this post but am intrigued by it. I'm checking into this. As another posted said, once I have the tools, there's a good chance I'll want to do more metal work as well.
 
JCH13 said:
*snip* I have the feeling that if you got a good plasma cutter you would find a reason to use it more and more frequently. I know I did. *snip*
Click to expand...

slag said:
I somehow missed this post but am intrigued by it. I'm checking into this. As another posted said, once I have the tools, there's a good chance I'll want to do more metal work as well.
Click to expand...

😉

When I was in college Hypertherm donated a PowerMax30 to the FSAE team. It made a lot of sheetmetal work super easy. We started finding lots of uses for it after we had it.
 
With welding equipment, it's been proven time and time again that it's best to stick with the big names for reliability and functionality.

Miller
Lincoln
Hobart

With plasma cutters, IMO your big 3 are:

Hypertherm
Thermadyne
ESAB

Stay way from cheap Chinese junk.
 
well, after much deliberation, it looks like the Hypertherm powermax 30 might be calling my name. Cuts 1/4 inch with ease and is made in the USA. More than I wanted to spend but I'll find a good deal as they are being phased out.

This model is being REPLACED by the POWERMAX 30XP AVAILABLE MARCH 2014!
 
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I was also looking at the ESAB Powercut 400 as its about $150 less than the hypertherm. My wife, who is normally frugal when it comes to my tools, told me to buy American and get the hypertherm instead. So.. I guess I now have her blessing.
 
JCH13 said:
The metal bandsaw gave be an idea... ever use an awesome portaband?
Click to expand...

we have those on our service trucks for cutting conduits and such. we also have a truck with a huge generator/ welder that will supply 220v, as well as a cutter and an OG torch with cutting and welding set up. i cant justify buying my own with how little i use them, but its always nice to have them all available when i do need them.
 
Planning on getting the powermax 30xp instead of the powermax 30 as its the latest and greatest and it will be released on march 3rd. I'm now about 1k over my initial limit.
 
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Well, its ordered. Estimated delivery date of March 11th (its not out until Monday). $1343.02 delivered to my door. Can't wait to try it out and cut up some stuff. I suppose I now need another welder as well.....
 
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