[NEW INTERIORS]

Originally Posted by yknot

Plasma parts are extremely expensive, and you have about 5-7 piece that wear with each cut, and and have to be replaced to maintain the quality of cut.

If you are replacing the tip and other parts after each cut,Your doing something wrong.. When set up right,(and no water)in the system. They will last a good while.Not sure about you,But it would be the most use tool in my shop. (''everyday'')

[milo]

I've been using a Hobart Airforce 400 for many years with happy results..seems easy on tips. Cuts frames like butter.
It can run on 110 OR 220 volts wich was a factor for portabilty.

http://store.cyberweld.com/hobair400...FRIcawodlmhS-A

give it a

[RPM]

We have a HyperTherm 600 setup on a Plasma Cam CNC cutter. Set up like this it will produce cuts as good as some laser and water jet machines. It will cut aluminum and stainless as well as regular steel. We found that water is the big enemy of the plasma tips. We were going thru tips in about 15 minutes now with a water filter we can go for several hours.

It will cut 14 ga at 125 inches per minute and 3/8 at 15 inches per minute

Big Red I see you are in Knoxville Tn you might like to come by and check this thing out.

[schnitz]

Originally Posted by NEW INTERIORS

If you are replacing the tip and other parts after each cut,Your doing something wrong.. When set up right,(and no water)in the system. They will last a good while.

True, but IIRC the material you cut has some effect on tip longevity. Too thick, too rusted, water in the air (as you alluded to...). Heck, even not enough electrical power or the moisture in the air can have adverse effects.



In a while, Chet.

[oldred]

Originally Posted by schnitz

too rusted, .

That can have quite an effect on tip life as can dirty metal because it tends to cause heat to be deflected back up toward the nozzle.

[schnitz]

I believe anything more than very minor surface rust will do that. I only used a plasma cutter once (at work), but I have no idea the brand or model so I'll leave those recommendations to the pros. I will state that I liked using it, just not enough to justify adding it to my tool inventory just yet...


In a while, Chet.

[NEW INTERIORS]

I find the drag tip don't last as long as the stand off tips last. I used one for about 7 years at the shop I was last working at.Mostly on alum..

[sixty9santa]

Ramsond CT518DX, kind of all in one.
Here's a link to some of their inverters:


http://www.ramsond.com/index-3.html

[michael cook]

has anybody seen or used the RASMOND brand that was posted in the last reply says it cuts !/2" severs #/4" and the price is low just curious about anyones experiance with one thanks

[trees]

I purchased an Esaab at the Spring Charlotte Car Show/Flea Market several years ago. After a short learning period that probably did most of the wear and tear on the supplied "expendables", it basically retired the chop saw, band saw, and die/angle grinders with their high dollar wheels, and the small torch. We use shop air that has a very good drying/filtering setup so have not had any water problems. Would not think about doing without this tool. I do use a guide for all straight cuts and try to have a pattern for more complex cuts. Though hard on tips, it is a life saver when ever we break an easy out or high carbon drill bit in a hole!!!

Trees

[47dodge]

I did a bit of trading and ended up with a Miller Spectrum Thunder with the built in air compressor. After using it a bit I would say don't get anything with a built in compressor. While it is kind of handy not to have to hook air up to it I'm always waiting on it. If you even tap the trigger on it you have to wait for the compressor to go through the recharge cycle before you can use it again. It is a lot of waiting for the cutting you do. I can't really recommend it to anybody.

I also have an old Solar 15 amp 120 volt plasma cutter. It works OK but it is pretty light duty. I like using it but the most I have ever cut with that is probably 1/8"

While I can't really complain because I only have about $300 into the two plasma cutters as soon as I can come up with a bit of money I plan on selling both of mine and buying a really nice one. Don't skimp like I did or you will never be happy. Also if you buy one of the top brands you will be able to find tips much easier. I can get tips in town for the Miller but not the Solar.

[awert]

Hook the Miller up to your own AC. It can't be that hard..........When i first bought mine (esob) I was using a small pancake compressor, now i have a big 16 CFM unit and what a difference ....But bypassing the built in AC should be ez.

[SteveU]

How would a Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 70 be? Says it runs from 25-80 amps & has a duty cycle of 40% @ 80 amps.

[joe123]

I have a Miller Spectrum 375 and couldn't be happier. Does a great job and is small enough that I can move it around the garage with me. Worth every dollar. But, like others have said it doesn’t do anything an angle grinder/torch won’t do (although the neighbours prefer the plasma over the noise of a grinder).

[NEW INTERIORS]

Originally Posted by joe123

I have a Miller Spectrum 375 and couldn't be happier. Does a great job and is small enough that I can move it around the garage with me. Worth every dollar. But, like others have said it doesn�t do anything an angle grinder/torch won�t do (although the neighbours prefer the plasma over the noise of a grinder).

Joe..I sure hope that's a good one,I just bought one Friday,Waiting for it to come in.