Plasma Cutters

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Feb 2, 2007 | 07:40 AM

bc56845

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Joined: Feb 2006

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From: Candler, NC

Plasma Cutters

Has anyone bought one of these cheap plasma cutters on ebay made by United or Speedway? You can get them for about 450-500 bucks, just wondering if they're junk or not.

Feb 2, 2007 | 11:06 PM

Ford_Six

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Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 18,488

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From: The Big, Oregon

Most of the lower-end machines like that are junk. The speedway one only cuts 5/16" steel. Unfortunetly, in this area, you still get what you pay for.
When looking at these machines, use the cut ratings to compare. One may say it'll cut 3/8", sever 5/8". What that really means is that anything over 3/8" thick will get mutilated and cut off by melting through. Anything over 5/8" won't be completely cut.
Also, keep a lookout for duty cycles. The better machines are 50% or better at top setting.
I would suggest going to Praxair, there is usually a distribution office in every larger town, and see what they have. I run a Thermal Dynamics machine several times a day, it was only $700 and change, I think it's on sale in their catalog right now.

Feb 3, 2007 | 02:35 AM

200000+F150

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Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 788

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From: Hendersonville, TN

Yes, agreed. I've seen more than my share of cheap plasmas and welders. You DO get what you pay for. Cheap machines are cheaply made. Usually, consumables are hard to find for them, although some of those cheapies on Ebay appear to be using ESAB torches. My Hyperthem is 13 years old and was owned by a construction company for the first 10 years of it's life. They abused the crap out of it. Still cuts great. One of my customers has an identical one in rental service and it's around 10 years old. I've repaired it for them a few times, but most of that was due to abuse too (like dropping steel on the torch lead and cutting it, etc.) It's hard to cough up the money for a name brand, but worth it in the long run, I think. Thermal Dynamics is a good brand too. They went through a period where they were kinda crappy, but recovered and the quality has come back. Newer Millers and Lincolns are good as well, but avoid the older ones from both. Same with ESAB. You'd be better off locating a used name brand than a new cheapie IMHO. That or save for a new name brand as most now have 3year warranties.