Clean cut 1/2 inch 'Best' Plasma for the money?

[macdarren]

I posted earlier about one of the import cutters but didn't get much.

So now I will ask a more general question.....

I need a cutter that can cut 1/2 AL and Steel. I want pretty clean cuts. I do not need the best duty cycle numbers nor do I expect to use this cutter on a daily basis (weekly or monthly is more like it). I typically saw for my work the cutter is more for getting things down to size fast but I do want, if possible, weld ready edges so I don't have to re-cut.

This seems to mean I need a cutter in the 50+ amp range or maybe I could get away with the right unit in the 40s I don't know....

(I do know more is generally better and don't want to Under or Over buy)

I most likely need to consider one of the imports as my budget just doesn't allow for any but the smallest of the hobarts et el....I have to keep it under $1000 and really want to keep it more like $800 so I can have a few consumables on hand and if I get one of the heavier units a cart might be nice.

I gather alot of the imports are similar, maybe the reseller is the only real difference though each seller claims some 'better than the rest' spec or feature. Can someone tell me why some units are so much heavier or larger than others with similar capabilities..I presume it has to do with the power supply / transformer setup but it seems like all claim to be 'high efficiency inverters'

I would like something I can drag cut with and I like the pilot start that some units offer but it is not a must have. I am trolling Craigslist and eBay etc and there is stuff to be had but is it better to go new import or used domestic? If I go import which products are people with my needs happy with. Are some able to use easily available supplies or should I buy a good supply and figure when they are gone I maybe out of luck? I have looked to Longevity with their IGBT 60amp unit, also Parker's 'Turbo' unit as they seem to be a bit different from maybe GiantTech/Lotos/50D machines, maybe more custom and supported by the providers.

Any advice?

TIA

[Wyoming]

Any advice?

TIA

Advice...you get what you pay for.

[SundownIII]

The "cheap" junk Chinese plasma cutters soon make very expensive doorstops.

No plasma cutter is going to yield a "weld ready" cut on 1/2" aluminum. Remaining oxides (from the plasma cut) will need to be removed before welding.

For "clean cutting" 1/2" aluminum you need at least a 60A machine.

I can make a "cleaner" cut in 1/2" steel with ox/ace than most Chinese units I've seen.

As Wyoming mentioned, you get what you pay for. For what you're willing to pay, don't expect much.

This is a HOBART board. Don't expect to find many fans of the Chinese junk here (that's a good thing). Suggest you try WW. They've been bought and paid for by the junk importers.

[Scott V]

I would use at least a 100 amp machine for a aluminum, more if I had it.:D
I have a Thermal dynamics cutter for that stuff. One thing I have found over the years is, the USA made Esab machines really cut aluminum nice. If you could find a used 875/1125 machine for cheap, it would be much better then a import China unit. I first noticed how well a Esab works using a 35 amp 500i machine.

Here is the manual of the 60 amp 875 machine.

http://www.esabna.com/literature/Plasma%20Equipment/Cutting%20Packages-Systems/Manual/Domestic/F-15-335-E_PCM-875.pdf

[jimcolt]

I am a bit biased.....but you can get clean cuts on 1/2" steel and aluminum with a Hypertherm Powermax45 (45 Amps) or with a Powermax1000 (60 Amps). I actually use the 45 up to 5/8" (piercing) it is mounted on a PlasmaCam cnc cutting machine.

You ocasionally will find a 1000 on Craigslist in your price range.....but I doubt that you will find a 45....too new.....and once someone uses a 45 they won't part with it!

As far as weldability....on steel it is not actually the oxides that affect welding processes....rather it is a nitrided edge that is created by the 80% nitrogen content in air. This creates a sort of "case hardened" edge that is .005" or so thick. You can weld directly on this nitrided edge....but you will have some porosity in the weld. Or...you can gring about .005" off and get nice welds....or you can use an industrial oxygen plasma cutter that does not use air...therefore leaves a weldable edge. By the way......I use Hobart for all of my mig welding!

Jim

[macdarren]

Thanks for the feed back....

I'll probably continue to look for someone upgrading and try to find a good name unit in my price range.

To be clear I was expecting to cut and weld .5 inch steel not AL (though that would be a plus), however I do need nice cuts on lighter AL. Good to know about the issues welding on the plasma cut steel. Cleaning up with a grinder is way preferable to having to cut long and then cut to size with the band saw to get weldable edges.

And Yes I KNOW this is the Hobart board, and that the other boards seem to have more involvement with the off brand resellers but that is WHY I asked the question here. I expect to get different opinions here than there and also get some feed back on good used models from the bigger names..exactly what I got....Thanks...any more suggestions will be appreciated.

[metalbender]

I happen to pick up a Therma Dynamics 51 for $800. and all the consumables needed. It was only fired up a couple of times and it cuts 1/2 steel really nice.
Take your time and shop around and watch craigslis or craiglook which covers all over the USA. Time is money and take your time in finding the right machine.

[nikodell]

I been looking at this range and i am between the powermax 45 or the cutmaster 52, I am on the sde of the powermax 45 because I don't want to run another 50amp service for the cutmaster. If you dont need to cut fast you might like the powermax 30 torch Harris welding has them for 1075 and if you get it from their ebay store you will get some extras.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Hypertherm-Powermax-30-Plasma-Cutter-088003-IMPROVED_W0QQitemZ270498575714QQcmdZViewItemQQptZL H_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3efaf8b562
Sorry for the breif thread jack

Hay Jimcolt on the miller forums a poster was trying to say that I needed like a 10scfm compressor for the Powermax 45, I have a Rigie 3.25hp 6.2 scfm compressor is it true it is not enough?

[jimcolt]

The Powermax45 is built in the USA (Hanover NH)...including the torch, by a company that is owned by its employees.....and had 0 layoffs during the economic downturn. You won't regret purchasing this system...

Jim



I been looking at this range and i am between the powermax 45 or the cutmaster 52, I am on the sde of the powermax 45 because I don't want to run another 50amp service for the cutmaster.

[trouba]

From Hypertherms website

Gas Supply Clean, dry, oil-free air or nitrogen
Flow rate 360 scfh; 6 cfm (170 l/min)