E-Bodies.org Cuda Challenger Forum

Technical Shop => Body Shop => Topic started by: Chryco on January 31, 2019, 03:58:40 AM

Title: plazma cutter
Post by: Chryco on January 31, 2019, 03:58:40 AM
looking to buy a plazma cutter, does anyone like to share any recommendations, trying to keep it around 1300.00 expense
Title: Re: plazma cutter
Post by: Chryco Psycho on January 31, 2019, 04:47:26 AM
Miller is the best & probably the most expensive also
Title: Re: plazma cutter
Post by: Ric on January 31, 2019, 05:19:00 AM
I have a  Hypertherm, love it, cuts up to an inch.. 220 volts  about $2200.00 when I got mine...
Title: Re: plazma cutter
Post by: Daveh on January 31, 2019, 06:04:35 AM
Buy the best you can even if you have to spend a few extra dollars, it will be the last one you buy or it is in my case.  I have the Miller 375 E-Xtreme and it's worth every penny. 
Title: Re: plazma cutter
Post by: 70 Challenger Lover on January 31, 2019, 06:14:19 AM
I have a thermal dynamics pak master 38xl.  I like it a lot. Had I not picked this one up from a guy at work for half price, I would have probably went with miller. I have a Miller welder and love it.

Be sure you use nice dry air for your new plasma cutter. I am told they are sensitive to that and won't last long if you don't.
Title: Re: plazma cutter
Post by: anlauto on January 31, 2019, 08:59:52 AM
What do you need it for ? Starting a "Chop Shop" ? ;)
Title: Re: plazma cutter
Post by: cuda hunter on February 01, 2019, 03:49:24 PM
Quote from: 70 Challenger Lover on January 31, 2019, 06:14:19 AM

Be sure you use nice dry air for your new plasma cutter. I am told they are sensitive to that and won't last long if you don't.

How does it make them go bad? 
Title: Re: plazma cutter
Post by: 70 Challenger Lover on February 01, 2019, 03:54:51 PM
Quote from: cuda hunter on February 01, 2019, 03:49:24 PM
Quote from: 70 Challenger Lover on January 31, 2019, 06:14:19 AM

Be sure you use nice dry air for your new plasma cutter. I am told they are sensitive to that and won't last long if you don't.

How does it make them go bad?

Well I'm only repeating what I was told but I assume the moist air rusts them up inside. Hot compressed air has a ton of moisture. It could be a bunch of bull but I don't have another grand for another.
Title: Re: plazma cutter
Post by: cuda hunter on February 01, 2019, 04:23:22 PM
I picked up my first plasma cutter a year ago.
Got it for 100 bucks because someone cut the cord off and tried to convert it to a 110. 

it's a nutecsys   pca30-ps

seems to work good.  Cost me another 150 to have my small engines guy go through it and fix it. 
Title: Re: plazma cutter
Post by: Mopar5 on February 01, 2019, 05:06:12 PM
I bought a new hyper therm around 2007 thought I would use it a lot . Used it once or twice and its been on the shelf collecting dust since then. It probably has 5 hours on it I never even used the supplies consumables that came with it up. I personally don't think they really are needed for car restoration work.
Title: Re: plazma cutter
Post by: Brads70 on February 01, 2019, 05:16:57 PM
I think moisture makes the consumables wear rapidly . I've used/borrowed a thermodyne plasma cutter for cutting stainless sheet metal once. Works great! I too have it on my " want" list but can't say the cost vs how much I'd use it warrants buying one.   
Title: Re: plazma cutter
Post by: Mopar5 on February 01, 2019, 05:29:00 PM
 Good reversible cut off wheel+ die grinder with 2 '' rolocs + Electric metal shears  + snips are more useful in restoration than a plasma cutter.