Hi all. Was interested in cutting some metal. I can't see any more than about 1/2" thick, probably thinner than that most of the time. Plasma seems to be the more modern way? Anyone have any thoughts or advice? Thanks.

 

for constant use, go name brand. of once in a while use, the harbor freight unit is fine. mine is about 15 years old now and i can not imaging going back to using a cutting torch after using the plasma cutter.

 

That's good to know Tom, thanks. I'm glad you chimed in here. I've been thinking of getting a cutting torch, but think the plasma is the way to go nowadays. Cutting torch, maybe for heating up metal and bending it if I need too. Still hoping to hear more ideas...

 

Following...

 

there are some places a plasma cutter will not work and a torch is needed, but i try to stay away from that kind of work anymore.
since i am now older than dinosaur dung, it is getting harder to do the heavy stuff.

 

AM I right in thinking with a plasma cutter you also need to have a good air compressor. If so what size would you suggest?

 

I suggest not buying a transformer based machine. Make sure you get a machine with pilot arc for cutting rust. I suggest looking at the Everlast or Alpha machines. The plasma vulcan from harbor Freight is due out in January but I believe that may end up being a very expensive plasma cutter. You can plasma with a 6 gallon compressor just fine. It's not like air arc gouging with huge cfm requirements.

 

i use a 240 volt HF plasma cutter and a 60 gallon tank air compressor.
i can cut 1/2 steel with no problem. as for compressor size, it is the primary air for the shop.

 

So gashog, cutting rust requires special plasma setup? Transformer based machine, pilot arc, what's the difference?

 

Yes people don't realize that lots of plasma cutters are scratch start. This kills productivity and makes for a terrible experience along with burning up torch consumables. If you are cutting and encounter rust or anything else that causes you to lose the arc you have to start over. With pilot arc you can set the pilot delay which will maintain the arc through most rust and allows you to start in confined areas like you would with a torch. You will find pilot arc in most mid priced machines, I suggest only looking at inverter machines as they are the most versatile in terms of features and flexibility with voltage.

 

my HF unit is not scratch start.

 

Very interesting. I'm learning something all the time on this forum. Thanks again gashog. I hope there's still more advice to share out there...

 

Correct, that unit is a inverter machine with pilot arc. It's a good machine that uses P40 consumables. I have been waiting for the Vulcan Pro Plasma to arrive.