Plasma cutters

We’ve been looking at getting one for years and just have never bought one. I’m a big Lincoln guy but just not a fan of the plasma cutters, was looking at hyperthem or thermal Dynamics, mainly looking to cut 3/8 and down clean but would like to be able to sever bigger. My question is any experience with either brand also is there any other ones somebody likes? I’m not running them on a CNC table, and for 3/4 and bigger I still have my torches to cut that stuff.

The shop i worked in had an Esab I believe ,it would cut 5/8 steel. Other than replacing the nozzle from time to time it worked fine. Loved it on the thinner stuff nice clean cut very little slag
J

Have had no complaints with my hypotherm the last 10 years. Amazing little machine

Our shops both run hypertherm and we are more than pleased with them. They get used every day and have yet to have to replace anything other than normal consumable parts on either of them. We cut a lot of 10 gauge steel and quite a bit of 1/4 inch diamond plate with some 3/8" - 1/2" thrown in on occasion. I have cut up to 1" mild steel plate with them and it slices it like a knife. 1" is as thick as our machines are rated for. You do have to run slower on the 1".

Thank you guys so far, I wondered about ESAB but had a couple of guy tell me about some problems with the circuit board.

I have a small Esab unit that I use here for all manner of dress and art work, it will cut to 3/8 easy enough on 110 power. No burrs or slag on 1/4 inch or less, nice outfit !

I make sure to keep a moisture filter on the airline, and it has been a no problem unit, picked it up brand new from a small shop who was closing who only used it for one job, cost me $200.00 which was probably 15 years ago now, was a great pick up for my use !

Yeah gritguy that was a good pick up seems like I’m the guy that hears about those deals after they happen.

Hypertherm is the gold standard. That is pretty much what all plasma cutters are based off. If you do internet research everyone compares the "knock offs" to hypertherm. If you have the cash buy once, cry once and get the best of the best.

Better have a good air compressor to go with it.whatever you decide to buy

Hobart 27i . Small compact and runs on 110 or 220 . Has no problems cutter 1/2 material with 90 lbs of air. Got it through " Cyber Weld " on the internet with great service ! Paid 1250$ for it and so far im very happy . Ground cable could be a little heavier ga. but works great . Hope this helps ...

have had a esab for years other than replacing gun and leads its been trouble free..it cuts 3/8 ok but its a 1/4 machine as far as im concerned.... my lincoln 305 g s wont run it ... lincoln has one that will run off portable.. think thats the way id go if i was buying new. weld shop said they could add a kit to welder to clean up electric and would run my plasma... ?? been on my bucket list .. but gettin by with torch and grinder for portable work...

Prn you’re right about the crying part, Arkansas87 compressed air isn’t a problem but yes your right,trapper1960 I think ground cables are issues on most units, hydropillar the small Lincoln is self contained and I’ve wondered about it but they’ve had issues with them in the past and was worried about them.

One of these days I will have to pull out the Miller 875 I bought about 4 yrs ago. Still in the box.

Well I spent the money and got a Powermax45 Hypertherm, airgas had it on sale for 1980, and they said it would work with a portable. When I get it set up I will post pictures.

Cool