I am going to buy plasma cutter tell whats you like

[dilling]

in 1500 dollar range thermal dynamic, miller , who is the best


wray are you going to make forum for selling used stuff, and maybe just ask for a 10% donation for selling used stuff, no business but just little guys trying to get rid of stuff

[Wray Schelin]

Hi Jeff,

I just bought a Hypertherm 1000 myself, but I can't give you a review because I haven't fired it up yet. I asked around and Hypertherm was the preferred brand by experienced users followed by Thermo Dynamic. Lincoln also gets good reviews from users.


A separate site which will have classified ads and a wanted section and much more is in the works, it will be owned and run exclusively by David Miller our webmaster. Look for it soon.

The sheetmetal shaping information will be here on the commercial free MetalMeet.com site. Any buying and selling will be over on David's site.

MetalMeet.com which is owned by the members is the seminar, information, and school site.

David Miller's site which will be next door to our site will be the commercial site. Anyone with anything to buy or sell that is sheetmetal shaping related will have equal access to David's site.

Wray

I have used a number of plasma cutters over the years. Some have worked fine for certain applications and some not. I also have a Hypertherm 1000 and it works awesome. I can cut 5/8" aluminum and have cut 2" of steel, and stainless and 1/8" copper is like butter.

Scott

[Bambi]

I'll stir the pot a little. Many guys that I have met over the years, see someone cut, maybe even on a TV show, metal with a Plazma cutter. These guys want one cuz they are ez to use.
Next the arguement comes that they are cheap to run. Anyone who has done a cost analasys on one will tell ya they ain't cheap to use.
They come on and say well the air is Free and the Electricity is cheap. They somehow forgot that they have to have a good compressor, ie Industrial Type to supply enuff air, that and the electricity for it go along with it.
Now consumables, depends upon the cutter, todays cutters are far better than the old animals. Serious cutters will know that they go thru these consumables and they ain't cheap.
One has to ask themselves the question for what purpose are they putting out the money? Plazma's real advantages are speed, do you really need that? They can cut anything that will conduct electricity, so that means you can cut stainless, aluminum, copper, etc.
Also for the newbie cutters you drag the tips, the old machines you had to hold a gap, just like cuttin with an OA torch.
Now when you cut thick aluminum and stainless the cut starts to go away and is not pretty, they also cut with a slight taper, noticable by some.
Hypertherm is the best out there but to my way of thinkin if it won't cut 1/2" thick aluminum it ain't worth squat. Money can be better insvested elsewheres, maybe an ewheel.
It is a big expensive investment.
Steel cutting still gives OA as the hands down winner, after the initial investment the only consumables are the O and A and what is really nice, you can take it anywheres, no electricity or air needed.
I only suggest that one really looks at their needs before buying certain types of equipment.
I have a Hypertherm 1250 and use it where it applies, not affraid to use the bandsaw or electric shears when needed.
For those that have the Hypertherm Plazma cutters, DO invest in their add on filtration system, for the cost, it will surely add life to your machine.
A machine like mine make the Power Company very happy indeed.
Be happy, invest wisely.

Happy Cuttin
Bambi

I do agree with you Bambi. With aluminum the blow back is bad and builds up on your tip if you drag it, but it usually takes about 6' for me to get to that point if i drag the tip, if i don't nothing stops it. They are good for their purposes but not practical for everyone, and the cut is only as good as the steadyness of your hand. Also from first hand experience, you have to eliminate all moisture.....I wanted the best filter out there. I added their secondary filter kit, mainly for warrenty purposes, because if anything goes wrong or their is problems the first question they will ask will be "what about your filter set up?".

Scott

[Nortonscustom]

Dilling,
I have owned both Miller and Thermal Dynamics plasma cutters and in my opinion the Thermal Dynamics is a far better machine.

norton

[Pete's Metalshaping]

I have owed a Thermal Dynamics 25 for about 5 years and it works fine for what I use it for. Mostly what I cut is steel. It is a lot faster than anything else that I have and was a welcomed addition to my garage.

There might be better machines on the market. The technology changes all of the time, so I think that you pick a place and jump.

[TigMan]

I just purchased a CutMaster 50 from Thermal Dynamics and I love it. It only cuts up to 1/2" steel but is a nice addition to the shop and is increasing production the more I use it. One of thes days I'll buy some cnc controls or maybe even build a pantogragh for now.

[jetdctr]

I've owned the Hypertherm PowerMax 380 for a few years and love it to pieces.

It works great around the shop for my purposes of cutting sheetmetal and frame parts while working on my streetrod and other projects.

I've used it to build boxing plates for the frame of my fathers 1951 Ford F1 Street Rod project and it works awesome.

Most if not all my work is under 1/4" thick material.

When I bought it, I was poor and still am, so I went with the best I could buy at the time, and it will run on 120V so I can take it anywhere and not have to worry about a 220V outlet or having the correct plug.

It cost me $1000 even ready to run, except I bought a quality Filter for it ($75) and haven't looked back since.

A consideration of Plasma cutter over OA is you are not storing flamable gas bottles in your home shop, and it's just a matter of clamping on the ground cable to your work piece, hitting the power switch and your away and cutting.

[Don Thorne]

Hi all,

Been selling and using plasma cutters for over 20 years, my personal preference being the Thermal Dynamics, but most common brands are all good machines. If I was buying one I would go with a brand that is common in your area, for the purpose of being able to get consumables and service easily.



Speaking of consumables, they are a little expensive but very clean and dry air will get you the most life out of them.



When cutting aluminum you should hold the tip a little further off the work, this gives the arc a little more open circuit voltage which will give a better cut quality and longer tip life.



Well I’d say that’s my 2 cents worth, but with inflation it’s probably up to a dime now!!!



Don