Which plasma cutter to buy?

[redneckryder84]

Which plasma cutter would be a good quality machine for cutting mostly 1/4" to 1/2" plate brackets etc with a machine head? Where is a good place to order the plasma also?

[Dnmeistr]

For cutting up to 1/2" you will be looking at either a Hypertherm 1000 or Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster A80 as both have a max mechanized pierce of 1/2".

[jimcolt]

I agree on the choices....you could also look at a Powermax45....I use mine for 1/2" all the time even though the factory rates it to pierce 3/8". I also own the Powermax1000. If I'm doing a lot of 1/2" I'll use the 1000 on my cnc machine, however if I need the best quality on 1/2" I use the 45.

If you have a favorite local welding supply....thats the best place to get the Hypertherm as they will support it, usually will give a price thats at least competitive with the internet sellers, and often will throw some things in....gloves, glasses, etc.

Jim Colt

Originally Posted by redneckryder84

Which plasma cutter would be a good quality machine for cutting mostly 1/4" to 1/2" plate brackets etc with a machine head? Where is a good place to order the plasma also?

[redneckryder84]

Local shop says $2,318 for the powermaster 45 with a machine head, is this a little high?

[HardcorewannabeXJ]

Originally Posted by redneckryder84

Local shop says $2,318 for the powermaster 45 with a machine head, is this a little high?

It can most likely be found cheaper on the internet, but as Jim mentioned there are a lot of benefits to purchasing one from a local welding supplier, as they will usually take excellent care of you after the sale with product support, consumables, etc...

[jimcolt]

Thats below list by a couple hundred or so....

Jim

[Torchmate]

Originally Posted by sdubfid

I am 110% impressed with it. Excellent cut quality even with no thc. I've paid for half of my torchmate 2x2 so far since february.

Good to hear!

[dsgraf]

Just bought the powermax 45 at a local welder supply house. They have sales all the time and there suport is unreal. They take very good care of me as I bought my Miller 210 there as well years back. Got the 45 for under $1,500 with the manual head on sale and with an additional bit off for a old junk plasma cutter trade in (they supplied that as well!!) I can't stress enough how much better it is to buy from a welding store with good people in it. There help is great and I can't tell you how many times I have gone in there to buy stuff and get tanks fillled and got the tanks filled for free. Give the local guys a shot at least before doing the on line thing.