plasma cutters

chopindan · 09-18-2006, 02:37 AM

anyone have any experience with the cheap (like harbor freight) plasma cutters? a guy i work with bought one for $500 (new, on sale) a few months back & it works well, but he hasn't used it much, so i wonder about longevity, replacment parts, etc.

**x-90 rider** · 09-18-2006, 05:30 PM

Most plasma cutters consume the nozzle tips after a period of time. The trick to making them last longer is clean air and clean metal. It seems like people go through a lot of consumables by trying to replace their cutting torch with plasma. A cutting torch is the choice for rust.

The other nice thing about plasma is that it will cut aluminum and stainless. I have no problem cutting aluminum plates that are 1.5" thick with plasma, sure is faster than a sawzall.

chopindan · 10-22-2006, 10:17 PM

I picked up a used (like new) hobart 250A with the compressor built in.

i LOVE it! i cut some angle iron up for a freind (repairing a lawn tractor frame), cuts like butter. my autodark welding helmet is a little too dark for this (9 is the lightest setting), what do you use?

i downloaded the owners manual & it'll probably give some tips too.

**x-90 rider** · 10-22-2006, 10:26 PM

I think my Plasma glasses are shade #4. I will check tomorrow and repost if they are a different shade.

**x-90 rider** · 10-23-2006, 08:51 AM

Shade #4 on the big one and shade #3 for the little one.

chopindan · 10-24-2006, 08:56 PM

cool, thanks!