I currently have a Miller 175, cheap AC/DC stick, Victor gas setup, cheap but decent HF chop saw, sawsall, and a midsize compressor.

My next immediate purchase will be a toolbox, as I have more tools on top on mine than in it (its too full) but do not know where to go after that. Thinking either Plasma jsut for the ease of cutting anything (probably a parker unit) or a tube bender (model 105/jd2) since bending tube does open up alot of possiblities. What do yall think, or is there a better alternative?

I went with the bender then plasma route... I just got JD2 model 3 bender and Im very happy with it... I get by with the angle grinder for now.

Frist project:
http://www.geocoties.com/cjames63/frame1.JPG

I'de go bender before plasma

Especially if you already have a torch setup.

Don't get me wrong, plasma is sexy, but unnecessary for what we do.

same here. If you have a torch setup why do you need a plasma?

You can cut steel with a torch, angle grinder, hot saw, sawzall etc.
I don't know of any way to bend tube (well) without a tube bender.

I say go with a bender first.....we have some sweet deals for Pirate guys.

I currently have a Miller 175, cheap AC/DC stick, Victor gas setup, cheap but decent HF chop saw, sawsall, and a midsize compressor.

My next immediate purchase will be a toolbox, as I have more tools on top on mine than in it (its too full) but do not know where to go after that. Thinking either Plasma jsut for the ease of cutting anything (probably a parker unit) or a tube bender (model 105/jd2) since bending tube does open up alot of possiblities. What do yall think, or is there a better alternative?

I bought the bender first, about 3.5 years ago. I didn't use it until two years ago, and use it periodically.

I bought my plasma earlier this year, and it hasn't seen much use, either.

The problem with the bender is tube is expensive, and I just haven't been to a point where it's time to go nuts building cages n' such (though a few friends have, and I let them make the mistakes with their tube :D )

The problem with the plasma is, despite how nicely it does cut, everything but the torch makes a nicer cut.

I use the plasma at least as much for "demolition" as for repairs. Used the plasma to cut my buddy's floor out, but when it came time to cut a replacement out of a 4x8 sheet of 16gauge, we opted for the sawzall - easier to get the cut just right, and NO kerf.

If the floor patch would've been complicated, we would've had the plasma out - but we'd cut a fairly square hole. :D

Most things are easier (though a little slower) to cut on the bandsaw. It's relatively quiet, the metal shavings drop into a bucket, and you don't need any tinted eye cover, and it's a lot easier to control (vs free-handing with the plasma).

The plasma was just the thing for cutting a 4x8 sheet of expanded steel down the middle, and for later cutting openings in the 2x8 sections for stuff to pass through. MUCH better than using a cut-off wheel or other tool.

Plasma will probably get used when I plate the A-arms I'm building. And for building gussets, or fabbing some "boat"-like trailing arms. For cutting a contoured object it's great - particularly when you go through the trouble of building a template.

But most of the time I reach for something else.

Sounds fairly uninamous, and thats what I was figuring as well. Oh, and the tube being expensive isnt a concern. I get all my tube either free for smaller quantities (<50ft) or at cost. Benefit of having a family member in the metals business. All they require is that I send them finished pictures of my work, and get pizzas for the warehouse guys every now and then.

Sounds fairly uninamous, and thats what I was figuring as well. Oh, and the tube being expensive isnt a concern. I get all my tube either free for smaller quantities (<50ft) or at cost. Benefit of having a family member in the metals business. All they require is that I send them finished pictures of my work, and get pizzas for the warehouse guys every now and then.


Let me know if you want a quote with our Pirate special

Sounds fairly uninamous, and thats what I was figuring as well. Oh, and the tube being expensive isnt a concern. I get all my tube either free for smaller quantities (<50ft) or at cost. Benefit of having a family member in the metals business. All they require is that I send them finished pictures of my work, and get pizzas for the warehouse guys every now and then.

Sir, You need to be beaten. :flipoff2: :envy:

It boils down to wether you have someone local w/ a bender. I pay a local shop $5/bend and it's 5 miles away. Obviously I have to plan ahead for weekend projects, but that's yet to be a problem.

Maybe I don't know how to use a Oxy/Acy torch, but try cutting a 4" hole in 14 ga steel and not let it distort to all hell.

I vote Plasma Cutter. There's no way I'ld trade mine for a bender.

Sir, You need to be beaten. :flipoff2: :envy:

X2

:flipoff2:

Sir, You need to be beaten. :flipoff2: :envy:

if you are in GA let me know what you need (within reason, i dont have that much space) and I will pick it up

Trick-tools, I cant pick one up for a month or so, minimum, probably not till january. I just bought another jeep, need to get a toolbox, and christmas is coming up, but i might as well start shopping.

OK, just let me know when you are ready. I'll hook you up fat!

Don't get me wrong, plasma is sexy, but unnecessary for what we do.

Do you have one yet? The time savings alone is far greater than I would have ever considered before I got one.

Do you have one yet? The time savings alone is far greater than I would have ever considered before I got one.

Have one - no

Used one - yes

Generally speaking I can use a torch and get just as clean a cut.

IMO - The only time I can see plasma coming in to it's own is with light sheet metal work because a torch can too easily warp it and using any other cutting device tends to be slower.

x2 I usually work with thicker stuff so I don't have the need for a plasma either.

With a 00 tip and pressures on 4 and 25 my cuts need almost no cleanup when cutting 1/8" through 1/4" recently.