Which Plasma Cutter?

[Marko]

Arbtalk is blessed with some top class fabricators so rather than make a silly mistake....

 

If you were in the market for a plasma cutter which one would you go for and why? Also what are your thoughts on the multi role cutters/mma/tig?

 

Thanks in advance.

[treequip]

What voltage do you have available and what material do you intend to cut?

[MikeTM150]

Hypertherm Powermax 45..........but u'll need a good 32amp single phase supply and a good compressor to go behind it.

 

Probably not cheap but very good quality. As for the multi-use ones, didn't know they exsisted even so can't comment, but seeing as its all electronics in a box these days they're probably fine.

[Peter]

What is your budget and do you have a decent compressor? Plasma cutters need a large volume of low pressure air, preferably dry air, so an air dryer is a good idea.

[Marko]

I have a good compressor so that isn't an issue. II also have 3 phase if people think limiting the portability is worth the gain in useability.

[Peter]

3 phase really opens up your options, especially if you are buying secondhand. Single phase fetch a lot more on ebay as most diy types dont have 3 phase available.

[treequip]

Three phase portable will get you cut of up to 20mm and severance of about 25mm, there isn't much in the world of arb that needs anything bigger than that.

 

As Peter says three phase units give you more bang for your buck but they are a bit bigger.

 

Make sure your supply is fused high enough for the machine, it gets very annoying when they keep tripping out half way through a cut