Plasma cutters

i picked up a new chinese made one from FB marketplace. got it cheap and it works good. made sure i got more consumables. My last one was also a import. Abused it for a long time and it destroyed itself gloriously a few years back. If it is going to make you money then a name brand is probably the best for support. but for playing around the cheapies are not that bad
 
DanStew said:
i picked up a new chinese made one from FB marketplace. got it cheap and it works good. made sure i got more consumables. My last one was also a import. Abused it for a long time and it destroyed itself gloriously a few years back. If it is going to make you money then a name brand is probably the best for support. but for playing around the cheapies are not that bad
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I’m thinking about a Holbart from Northern Tool so I know I can get consumables and parts. But you got to pay a little more.
 
I've been thinking about one of these for years. I've heard good things about Everlast. Is Hypertherm considered the best?
 
Hypertherm is definitely the class of the field. From my fairly extensive research the Everlast is a very powerful and dependable machine that is easy to fine tune to a table and get precise cuts with clean air. With clean air they have about 70% consumable life in comparison to a Hypertherm. Considering the cost difference and all of the other things that had to fall in place for my project is why I went with the Everlast. (I had to add on to shop, purchase new compressor, a CNC table, etc.)

That said, if I was ONLY buying the cutter i'd likely buy a smaller Hypertherm unit.

Keep in mind that the CFM ratings on your compressor and air quality (dry air) have more to do with the life of consumables and quality of cut than the machine itself. If you have a baby compressor spitting air through the machine you will never have a nice end product.
 
@matth_85 which Everlast do you have? 52I?

I have a couple projects that a plasma would make much easier. A while back I started looking and considered the HF Titanium one but it's price has gone up.
https://www.harborfreight.com/45a-plasma-cutter-56255.html

This one keeps popping into my Amazon suggestions for less than half the price.
Reboot Plasma Cutter Non Touch 50 Amp CUT50DL 1/2" Clean Cut Air Plasma Pilot Arc 110/220V High Frequency Inverter Machine 3/5'' Max Cutting for Copper Alloy Mild Steel Aluminum https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XYPNQ8M/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_EHWMVVPEW5YRNVPHT9R9?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

The most immediate use would be hand cutting some plates and brackets out of scrap steel so don't need anything too fancy.
 
82i.

It has been a good machine so far but I don't have a lot to compare it to. Thickest I have cut was 1/4" and I was pleased with that. Small holes in 1/4 weren't as precise ads i'd like but I think I have it dialed in now.
 
@matth_85 Are you able to source consumables for that machine locally, or just stock up online? That's my biggest concerns with the import machines is having access to parts. I know many times Ive had to run to the store to grab more electrodes and tips during a project.
 
I haven't tried to buy local to be honest. I bought a good supply early on and haven't gone through many yet. But short answer, yes I stock piled them for that reason.
 
I'm going to give that Reboot amazon machine a shot. Current special was $40 off and free set of consumables, so machine and 10 tips for $385.
 
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