Should I Buy A Oxy Torch Or Cheap Plamsa

[ACHASE6002]

For Under $ 650 Wich Would Be A Better Value Around The Shop, I Know A Torch Could Be Used For Alot Of Stuff But With A Plasma I Wouldnt Have To Buy Notcher.

[D60]

You might want to start a poll. I'd reco the O/A setup for your spending limit of $650. It'll cut thicker than a $650 plasma, is 100% portable, and can be used to pre-heat or even weld/braze

[Travis Waldher]

I'de go with oxy/acet..

I've seen cuts done using a torch that looked just as good as any plasma cut I have ever seen.

If you have the skill or practice... you don't *need* plasma.

EDIT: i think my $250 torch setup allows me to cut up to 6" plate, should I ever desire to cut something that thick. Figure another couple hundred for tanks.

[yager]

I have both.... Had the torches/tanks for a long time. Granted there are things you NEED the blue wrench for, but I'd get the plasma first, most of my need to heat stemed from me not having a good way to cut new parts and I was only trying to salvage some exiting stuff. With a plasme you can quickly make a new piece. Find a friend with tanks and kick him a few bucks and just barrow his.

[LCAC_Man]

I just made the call on this and bought Oxy/Acet. totally portable,being able to heat large items for interference fit, and do some gas welding tipped the scale.
Best deals I could find were on Ebay. Tanks (80cf oxy/40cf Acet) and Torch Kit (medium grade Victor 350 series regulators) shipped to my door for less than $400.

[keenavv]

With OA you can weld, cut, heat for bending, braze. With plasma you can cut.
Your not going to get much of a plasma cutter for $650. I have a mig, a stick welder, a Cut Master 50 plasma and I use my OA a lot. But thats me. Good luck !!:) One more thing, with OA you don't need a high volume compressor or 220 v.

[ACHASE6002]

Just Found Out My Dad Has Everything For Torches But The Tanks, What Should It Cost To Get Tanks And Have Them Filled? Thanks For All The Help

[Aces'n'8s]

Just Found Out My Dad Has Everything For Torches But The Tanks, What Should It Cost To Get Tanks And Have Them Filled? Thanks For All The Help


Are you trying the spell everything in CAPITAL letters?

As to how much for filled tanks, that completely depends on what size tanks you desire and your local welding and/or industrial gas suppliers. Most suppliers will give you a discount if you buy your tanks and wish to have them filled all in the same day. However, many suppliers add in the cost of gas to the bottle purchase price, thus making you believe you are getting a good deal ergo "free gas." But, then if they didn't do that, it wouldn't be good business. Also, the cost of industrial gases are zipping around like an unleashed balloon, so shop around for a reasonable price.

IMO, you should buy your tanks. On any unit that is a longlasting and durable as an O/A setup, it seems foolish to lease your rig's tanks.

[pmurf1]

Get one of the www.parkermetalworking.com ones off Ebay that Benzzo had in his post today. They are $499, work great. Wait until HF has a 20% sale and the small oxy acy setup for $239-20% and you could have both for damn near your budget. I have a big set of oxy/axy's, a small HF set for work, and the "divtec" guy on Ebay's 40 amp plasma.

[macj98]

Get one of the www.parkermetalworking.com ones off Ebay that Benzzo had in his post today. They are $499, work great. Wait until HF has a 20% sale and the small oxy acy setup for $239-20% and you could have both for damn near your budget. I have a big set of oxy/axy's, a small HF set for work, and the "divtec" guy on Ebay's 40 amp plasma.

I just bought one of these plasmas for $500 off ebay. From the research I've done, the Dayton/Riland/Mitech plasmas are all the same exact cutter and have gotten pretty good reviews from pirate members. I have a torch set and use it only if I have to, because unless you are using it as a victor wrench, the heat affected zone when cutting is huge.

[pmurf1]

I just bought one of these plasmas for $500 off ebay. From the research I've done, the Dayton/Riland/Mitech plasmas are all the same exact cutter and have gotten pretty good reviews from pirate members. I have a torch set and use it only if I have to, because unless you are using it as a victor wrench, the heat affected zone when cutting is huge.

Have you used yours and do you like it? I test drove mine before I bought it at the "divtec" guy off Ebay's house. He had a whole shit ton of them there and was planning on moving into a commercial building. He said he personally tests all of them before they go out because they take damage in shipping sometimes.

[macj98]

Have you used yours and do you like it? I test drove mine before I bought it at the "divtec" guy off Ebay's house. He had a whole shit ton of them there and was planning on moving into a commercial building. He said he personally tests all of them before they go out because they take damage in shipping sometimes.


Actually the one I "won" off ebay was a Mitech and the guy never returned my emails which is fine since I hadn't sent him any money. Then yesterday I got an email from ebay saying they suspended his account because even though he had 100% feedback I guess he wasnt shippin stuff. So last night I took your suggestion and bought one from the divtech guy off ebay and am just waiting for him to shoot me the price with consumables. He seemed like a more reputable seller anyway.

After you posted previously about him, I emailed him to see if he could get somekind of group buy goin for Pirate4x4.com members but he didn't email me back.

[ACHASE6002]

Let Us Know What Happens With The Guy On Ebay, I May Be Buying One Too

[macj98]

Let Us Know What Happens With The Guy On Ebay, I May Be Buying One Too

Paid for it today talked to the guy on the phone and they do have a legit business. Cost $580 shipped to Ca with an extra set of consumables. If it works as good as on his website I'll be happy.

I did talk to him about becoming a vendor on here and hookin up pirate members and he showed interest and said they'd checked out the site and liked it so be on the lookout for that possibility.

[Dustball]

Paid for it today talked to the guy on the phone and they do have a legit business. Cost $580 shipped to Ca with an extra set of consumables. If it works as good as on his website I'll be happy.

I did talk to him about becoming a vendor on here and hookin up pirate members and he showed interest and said they'd checked out the site and liked it so be on the lookout for that possibility.

FYI- I do sell the Mitech 40 amp plasmas here. Check out the vendors Tool forum for more details.

[rusted]

Plasma is definitely the tool to hve, I could really use one in my sit, where I need to do 'quiet' work. The bandsaw, for example, is worth it's wieght.

OTOH, the versatility of an O/A setup meets my needs before a nice pure cutting setup does. I have wished for an OA more than a plasma cutter, so that cuts it for me.

I've seen a few guys use a plasma now, and a decent amount of skill is needed to use one effectively. Not as much as an OA, but an OA will get you farther. Yeah any Joe can cut some metal with a plasma, but there is a curve to do it right, good, and in unusual situations. I'd rahter spend that curve on teh OA first.

Just a lot of reasons for me.

[PAToyota]

Plasma is definitely the tool to hve, I could really use one in my sit, where I need to do 'quiet' work. The bandsaw, for example, is worth it's wieght.

I'm not sure I'd call a plasma "quiet" ... :p

For the money, I'd say the OA setup is the way to go. You can cut a lot thicker for a lot less money and I've been surprised at how cleanly you can cut with a steady hand and a bit of experience.

I just don't think the cheaper plasmas are the way to go. I have a Hypertherm 1100 (old version of the current 1250) which was about $3K new. Upgraded to the new RT-80 torch. That thing cuts anything from thin sheetmetal up to inch thick stock incredibly cleanly. The people saying that OA cuts more cleanly than plasma are probably using an underpowered machine for the task at hand. I know, I know... The literature states that a certain machine will do up to 3/8" and you're only doing a 1/4" piece. But like the horsepower ratings on things, I think that a lot of manufacturers over-rate the capacity.

[macj98]

I'm not sure I'd call a plasma "quiet" ... :p

For the money, I'd say the OA setup is the way to go. You can cut a lot thicker for a lot less money and I've been surprised at how cleanly you can cut with a steady hand and a bit of experience.

I just don't think the cheaper plasmas are the way to go. I have a Hypertherm 1100 (old version of the current 1250) which was about $3K new. Upgraded to the new RT-80 torch. That thing cuts anything from thin sheetmetal up to inch thick stock incredibly cleanly. The people saying that OA cuts more cleanly than plasma are probably using an underpowered machine for the task at hand. I know, I know... The literature states that a certain machine will do up to 3/8" and you're only doing a 1/4" piece. But like the horsepower ratings on things, I think that a lot of manufacturers over-rate the capacity.

This is the very same age old argument of buying hand tools from the snap on truck via Sears, HF, Walmart etc. The thing that gets me is everyone offers a lifetime warranty now and this argument is used so that those who spent $500 on a rachet set can justify their $450 piece of mind.

I have used the Hypertherm 1100 powermax. It is an excellent unit as you state, in fact the fab shop here has a few along with other assorted brands. And for a production shop that handles the quantity of BTF or PSC it is an ideal unit.

That being said this unit is rated for 3/4 clean cut 1 1/2 sever at least so in this instance of the 40amp plasma we're comparing apples and bannanas. For a comparable Hyperthem unit to this 40 amp, given the waranties are comperable, you would spend an addittional $1400 for piece of mind and the right to buy really expensive consumables. I have broken just as many Craftsman Rachets as snap on ones and beside the $450 difference, I dont have to wait around for the stupid snapon guy to get there for replacement is what both these examples boil down to.

To answer this thread, both OA and Plasma have their purposes. For cutting sheet metal or parts off of frames plasma all the way, less heat affected zones and material properties changes. OA is good for really thick stuff, victor wrenching, and bending stuff.

[gdf_77]

Mississippi Welding in the midwest carries a "low pressure" OA torch that makes cuts similiar to a plasma in reg steel, and you can also weld/braze/solder with it. i dig around some see if i cant find more info on it.

[SquattyD]

Mississippi Welding in the midwest carries a "low pressure" OA torch that makes cuts similiar to a plasma in reg steel, and you can also weld/braze/solder with it. i dig around some see if i cant find more info on it.


you are prob thinking about the henrob 2000

[NiteKrawler]

I have got the Henrob kit for my torch setup and it works great...takes a little practice to get the hang of it, but once you get it you can make some sweet cuts (almost as thin as plasma) and you can weld/braze with it. Also pretty inexpensive (about $350 bucks for the henrob and a bunch of tips/parts)

[ACHASE6002]

The Poll Is Gettin Alittle Lopsidded, Will A O/a Cut 3/8 Or 1/2 Fairly Clean

[Snowbird13]

The Poll Is Gettin Alittle Lopsidded, Will A O/a Cut 3/8 Or 1/2 Fairly Clean


Why must you capitalize every word? It makes it extremely annoying to read.

An o/a torch may not cut 1/2" cleanly, but it will cut it. I don't think that your cheap plasma will even cut that big.

[gdf_77]

here is the link for the henrob 2000.

http://www.cut-like-plasma.com/

i haven't been able to use one but i can say that it does some amazing things

[macj98]

Why must you capitalize every word? It makes it extremely annoying to read.

An o/a torch may not cut 1/2" cleanly, but it will cut it. I don't think that your cheap plasma will even cut that big.

I just bought cheap plasma and have a review on it in the shop and tool talk forum. It cut 3/8 without a problem and is rated for a 5/8 cut at 40amps with 60% duty cycle.

[Hendo]

plasma will be cheaper definately in the long run, no oxy or acyc to buy and most plasma cutter can cut 1/4" i dont see you needing to cut anything bigger

[mike]

I've had a lot of occasions to cut 1/2". Even at 1/4" a gas axe is faster anyway. Faster, more useful in general..

[MarkW]

Get an Oxy/Acet rig and learn how to use it. You'll be much better off and have a more versatile tool.

With care and practice you can cut as cleanly as a plasma, and be able to braze and weld too. Oh yeah, wait until you learn how heating frozen nuts and bolts works!

Learn to be a craftsman with the torch first, and then as your budget expands get a plasma but develop your torch skills first.