Anyone used a harbor freight plasma cutter

[zukijames]

Maddie bought one today I told her to take it back.. I think it's too much money to spend on something that might be a pile of crap.

Did some searching saw everything from never turned on to caught on fire first cut to works amazing

I know of guy liking the ?? Everlast I think and I think there cheaper

Won't use it enough to justify spending 1000$
Bucks on one

 

[OCNORB]

There is a Miller on KSL for $900 right now...

That said, I loves my Hypertherm.

 

[skippy]

I would at the very least get an everlast with that said I would just buck up and buy a hypertherm

 

[ChestonScout]

I just bought a Longevity unit.


I havent used it yet but it looks quality. Here it is
http://www.longevity-inc.com/productdetail_237/Plasma-Cutters/ForceCut-50D.php

They have specials on Pirate 4x4 all the time. The April special was 20% off the sale price and free shipping. It was just over 500 to my door.

I will be using it soon and will be happy to give reviews. I havent found anything bad about them yet. I would bet my last penny it works better than the HF unit


I had an older Hypertherm. It was decent. Wouldnt cut anything bigger than 1/4 tho. I put 300 into it and a week later the circuit board blew up inside. I was pissed

 

[TJDukit]

I will never buy what should be expensive and precision electronics there.

With that said after 4 years of heavy use my HF angle grinder finally quit tonight. Well worth the 30 bucks I spent on it.

 

[Silly Willy]

I've been really surprised by eastwood.

With the info I've gotten in multiple fourms its actually a great little machine. Its also compadable to both 110v and 220v so you can use it most anywhere.

Here's a link.
http://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-plasma-cutter.html

I know that in a few months when I get a plasma, it will likley be this one.

If you don't have a welder either its a nice deal for their welder and plasma in a combo.
Both the plasma and tig work off 110v and 220v. $1299.99 isn't a bad deal for both.
http://www.eastwood.com/ew-tig200-versa-cut-kit.html

 

[thenag]

In the past I had looked a plasma's and didn't really find any "middle of the road" machines. They were all designed for sheet metal (could barley do 1/4 inch) or $1500.00 and cut through 7/8 no problem. Recently I got looking again and came across this machine;
http://www.thermadyne.com/thermaldynamics/products/detailProduct.html?prodID=1-4200

I got it for $900.00 it came with a carrying case, it will run off of 110v of 220v so it makes it kind of portable. specs say it "will cut 1/4 all day long"

I have used the crap out of it for the past two weeks building a tj rear bumper for my father in law. I don't have more than a few minutes with other machines or any longevity with this one so I don't know that I can recommend it, it has worked great for the first couple of weeks and has probably saved me about 4-6 hours and many 4.5 inch cut off disks.

I have a friend who has an older ESAB, he says "one of the last good ones" but he wouldn't buy a new ESAB.



all that being said I will make my one comment about plasma's...

It shouldn't be that easy to cut metal...

nathan
99xj

 

[bamacpl]

I have a Parker..... It's pretty much the same one Cheston has. Mine is a 220v 50 amp & I would reccommend it to anyone!
I use it ALOT & have only had one issue with itip 4 years---sent it back & cost me $300 to have it repaired---

The guy that owns Parker has a very wierd personality & to be honest is kinda an a$$!!!

 

[I Lean]

I really liked my Parker too, until I got my Hypertherm and realized what I'd been missing. There really is a huge difference in a "good" plasma cutter versus the cheap import ones.

 

[bamacpl]

I know ha! That's why I refuse to use one.... Then I'd have to buy a good one!!
--it's like driving a friends brand new truck---I totally refuse to do it.... U suddenly realize how much your own sucks!! Haha!!

 

[zukijames]

I'd hope any plasma works better than my hf grinder..

 

[ChestonScout]

I fired up my Longevity unit yesterday for the first time!


Im impressed so far! Seems to have WAAY more power than my old Hypertherm. Im hoping to put it thru its paces today.

I have used a couple Parkers. The thing I didnt like about them was not having a pilot arc. Im sure a guy could get used to it but I prefer to have one. The Longevity does have a pilot arc

 

[Gravy]

I had a higher end everlast. Their customer service rocks. I will buy from them again. Oleg is the man.

 

[thenag]

I really liked my Parker too, until I got my Hypertherm and realized what I'd been missing. There really is a huge difference in a "good" plasma cutter versus the cheap import ones.

Maybe a dumb question but what specifically had you "been missing" when you got your Hypertherm?

For example, I know that if someone asks me why I spent $100.00 on a Milwaukee Grinder instead of $25 on a HF I will tell them that the Milwaukee will last longer and the main thing for me is that the HF's I have used vibrate A LOT more and fatigue my arms quicker...

nathan
99 xj
The United States Military is greatest Military in the world and funded by Socialism since 1862.

 

[I Lean]

Maybe a dumb question but what specifically had you "been missing" when you got your Hypertherm?

For example, I know that if someone asks me why I spent $100.00 on a Milwaukee Grinder instead of $25 on a HF I will tell them that the Milwaukee will last longer and the main thing for me is that the HF's I have used vibrate A LOT more and fatigue my arms quicker...

Mostly cut quality, cutting speed, and consumable life. All are vastly improved. The cut speed is a more powerful machine I'm sure, although my Parker was rated at 40A and my Hypertherm 45A...but I think the Parker was overrated and the Hypertherm underrated.

The Parker would eat consumables, and even when they were working they'd frequently cut kinda crooked, so I'd have to hold the torch at an angle to get a reasonably square cut. The Hypertherm consumables cost a lot more, but last FOREVER compared. Cost per cut inch is way less, I'm sure.

Last, even though I had no problems with the Parker, the Hypertherm just "feels" better built. I have no doubts about it lasting.

 

[OCNORB]

I can second that. I've had my Hyper for 12 years now... yeah its one of the "BIG" ones. When I bought it I stocked up on consumables because my brother worked at the dealer. Turns out it might be a life-time supply...

 

[rondo]

Mostly cut quality, cutting speed, and consumable life. All are vastly improved. The cut speed is a more powerful machine I'm sure, although my Parker was rated at 40A and my Hypertherm 45A...but I think the Parker was overrated and the Hypertherm underrated.

The Parker would eat consumables, and even when they were working they'd frequently cut kinda crooked, so I'd have to hold the torch at an angle to get a reasonably square cut. The Hypertherm consumables cost a lot more, but last FOREVER compared. Cost per cut inch is way less, I'm sure.

Last, even though I had no problems with the Parker, the Hypertherm just "feels" better built. I have no doubts about it lasting.

I have to agree completely with this statement. I'm perfectly happy with my parker but it was fixed under warranty once for free. It does go thru comsumables and cut crooked sometimes but i figured that was just my lack of experience using one. If i needed a plasma cutter for anything other than the very occasional project i certainly would go get a high end machine but the parker is ok.