I'm looking to purchase a plasma cutter soon. Two questions: Are they worth it? and Which one is a good deal (bang for the buck kinda thing). Thanks.

 

I've used a few in the past and love them and have been saving up to buy one too. They make much smoother cuts than a torch and there is no refilling the tanks. I'm looking to use mine mostly for fab work on my jeep and want one that cuts at least 1/2". There are a lot of different ones out there it all depends on what you want to spend and how thick you want to cut. I've looked at some of those unknown eBay ones that say they are the same as a miller or thermal dynamics but are like a 3rd the price I'm still skeptical, id say get one with a decent warranty from a good brand that has some history of reliability.

 

I have a thermal dynamic cut master 52 and I love it save alot of money on the small cut jobs around the shop but I still get out the torch for the big stuff (>1/4") I can do just as good of a job ,bought a cheap welder befor and will never buy anything like that again

 

They are worth it!!!! Well, worth it if you are gonna use it frequently. They are a miricle when you are cutting, especially where space is limited and you arent trying to melt everything in the immediate area. If I had a shop/spare change, I would already have one. I too do alot of work to my jeep and reparing broken everything under it would be a breeze if i didnt need to use cut wheels and blow torches.

 

Get one!!!! The cut alumminum and stainless great. I use mine all the time, it is a "hypertherm". You can get it at any praxair welding shop. Ours is in a commercial setting not a home shop, and my guys are evil to equipment, yet to fail us HAHA

 

I agree that they are a great investment. I have the worlds cheapest (or at least close) plasma cutter...

Mine is a Parker brand... chinese cheap-o, but it works awesome! IIRC, it was only 400-500 bucks new. I lucked out and got it used (barely) on a local classified site for $250 I think.

 

I have a thermal dynamics (cant remember which model) that is good up to 1/2" and I rarely use a torch anymore. I would suggest keeping an eye out for a used name brand one on ebay, craigslist, or check with some of the local welding shops. If you have a use for it, its worth its weight in gold, if your only going to use it once, just pay to have it cut.

 

When it comes to stuff like this, I'm a firm believer in "you get what you pay for". I've always been partial to Lincoln products, but Miller makes a hell of a good machine also. The cool thing about plasma cutters is they'll cut anything that conducts electricity, aluminum, brass, copper... you name it. And like mentioned above, no tanks to refill. They just use your shop air. Whether or not one would be "worth it" to you or not totally depends on you. I don't do enough fabbing anymore, or I would have one in a heart beat!

 

the plasma cutter is the best tool in the shop. i have a miller 2050 plasma. the thing is rated for i think 2 1/4" thick steel. i cut 2 5/8" steel with it. thats how good theese millers are. anythning under 1" it cuts like butter and quick. but up from there it takes its time but thats alot of steel to be pushing out of the way. the precision of it also is amazing. i can write out paragraphs on sheet metal. i do yard art work and its just the best thing since diesel fuel .

 

Yes.

Thermal Dynamics. Best there is, was, and ever will be.