Plasma cutter questions

[Greg]

I *may* be looking for a Plasma Cutter... I don't need anything huge, just something quality & not super expensive. I want it to be able to cut 1/4" plate, but won't need anymore than that.

Where have you guys been getting yours? Care to list the approx. cost? Who makes some of the better Plasma Cutters out there?

 

[Shawn]

I have a Miller 625 and bought it at Praxair. I paid $1,600.00 for it and I'm VERY glad I bought the bigger one.

 

[Craig S]

I have a 600 also (another brand). Its advertised to cut 5/8" but only does a good job on 3/8" and less. Go big if possible. I would get the 800 next time. Bottom line, the bigger units cut faster and cleaner. I got mine at Praxair also.

Craig

 

[Hickey]

Mine is a HTP 380. It was $900. It cuts 1/4" fine, will cut 3/8", but it is slow.
It has been replaced by the HTP400, which sells for $1000. I have had no problems with it. Get the biggest one you can afford.

 

[James K]

I have the Thermal Dynamics Econo Pak 50. 3/16 and 1/4 not an issue at all. It will also cut 1/2 clean just goes alittle slower.

I bought mine from a buddy who needed money............so lets just say I got a great deal. I believe the machine new is somewhere around 1700.00.

definitley go as big as you can afford.

 

[OCNORB]

I bought the Hypertherm Powermax 1000. It's probably bigger than you are looking for, but I can comment that the longevity of their consumables is superb. If you use it much that may make a difference to you. Hypertherm claims that their consumables last 4 times as long as most. I have had very good results with them.

They are not cheap$$$$

 

[Greg]

Thanks for the help!! I don't know if I'll be able to get one soon, but I know we have an account with Praxair at work, so I might check to see if I can get one for Union Pacific cost. :greg:

 

[Greg]

I just did a search on EBay & came across this-

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=46413&item=4379192551&rd=1#ebayphotohosting

No name brand? Probably a piece of junk, huh? You get what you pay for, eh?

 

[Hickey]

I just did a search on EBay & came across this-

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=46413&item=4379192551&rd=1#ebayphotohosting

No name brand? Probably a piece of junk, huh? You get what you pay for, eh?

They sell that same one on Harbor freight's website. It's made by HTP.

 

[Greg]

They sell that same one on Harbor freight's website. It's made by HTP.

I was just about to search Harbor Freight...

HTP... thats what yours is. Is this a no-name copy of a HTP P-Cutter? Do you think it's a POS? I wonder if I could find some quality feedback about that specific model.

 

[Hickey]

I was just about to search Harbor Freight...

HTP... thats what yours is. Is this a no-name copy of a HTP P-Cutter? Do you think it's a POS? I wonder if I could find some quality feedback about that specific model.

Mine is an HTP also. The one you posted is only 30 amps, probably barely cut 3/16". The lead looks real cheesy to me. If you buy one like mine, just order it straight from HTP. I wouldn't buy something like that off Ebay.
http://www.usaweld.com/products/plasma_cutters/index.htm

 

[I Lean]

Keep in mind too, if you get an HTP you can only buy the consumables from HTP directly. At least when I was looking, there were no dealers or re-sellers anywhere I could find. If you get a more "mainstream" brand, you should be able to get consumables and parts at any welding or gas supply place.