whadda ya think?

[ctmike]

Now that I'm hooked on this whole welding thing, I realize I need a plasma cutter. I don't need a commercial type machine, just something for occasional use. You know, couple winter projects, fixing a broken whatever.
Just got off Ebay and saw a bunch of reasonably priced Chinese cutters.
I know some are OK and some not. I'm seeing names Like Giant Tech, Ramsond and some others. If they are CCC and CE certified, does that make a diff?
This one looks pretty good but has no name.

http://cgi.ebay.com/CUT-50D-50-Amp-Dual-Voltage-Plasma-Cutter_W0QQitemZ150295592127QQcmdZViewItem?hash=it em150295592127&_trkparms=72%3A1017%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C 240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Can you guys point me in a good direction. I really don't want to spend more than 500 bucks. I spent a lot on my welder and accessories.
THANKS!

[EdKing]

All of those plasma cutters are pretty much the same, main difference being the service you get from whoever you purchase them from. If you go to http://weldingweb.com/ Giant tech post there often, and Longevity and Everlast have thier own forum areas. I have a combo unit (Stick/Tig/Plasma) that I purchased from Longevity, unit works well and thier support is very good.

Ed

[Zrexxer]

I need a plasma cutter. I don't need a commercial type machine, just something for occasional use. You know, couple winter projects, fixing a broken whatever.
Just got off Ebay and saw a bunch of reasonably priced Chinese cutters.If you buy one of those Chinese plasmas, the broken "whatevers" you'll be always trying to fix will likely be your machine.

[Hotfoot]

My Riland Cut 40 continues to work fine. Parts, service, knowledgeable guys who will talk with you...all at the Riland USA in California. I like Thermal Dynamics and Hypertherm...but this machine was $500.00, and they are almost $1,000 more for comparable units. Its cuts thicker metal than did my Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38.

I'm not saying its better, just less expensive. It may be like driving one of those POS Jap cars as opposed to a Ford or Chevy a few years back...turns out the buyers of those cars were quite happy with them...it was the folks who never owned one that were the most vocal critics.

[Rocky D]

There is a post here, where two very knowledgeable guys who know Chi com machines inside and out, had a dialog about what is good and the chi com copies that are no good.
One thing I got out of it is that there are two Riland outfits..one copy and one genuine good machine. Do search on "ventureline" or "Inverterwelder"...those are the handles of the two guys.

[ctmike]

I was hopin' you'd chime in. In my short time on the forum, I've already figured out you are the MAN, man.
Mike