Plasma cutters

[SPYDER]

I have the opportunity to pick up a used plasma cutter for cheap.  I know next to nothing about them except that I've always wanted one.  What should I be looking for and what should I stay away from.

All I know about the one I have the opportunity to get is that it's a Mac and is 220v. 

[rich]

find out who make it for mac hypotherm is the one to get.. made in new hampshire

[SPYDER]

I was told Lincoln but I don't know how much I believe that.  I tried doing some searchin on macs website but they don't list s plasma, just welders.

[Casey L]

Look up the model and make sure you can still buy consumables.

[HEYzipupyourfly]

Look up the model and make sure you can still buy consumables.

You should be able to find consumables made by other companies that will fit the gun. most of them are pretty standard to a manufacturer  I buy all hypertherm consumables from Arcsource in NH they have a few locations. But I have a hypertherm with a machine torch and a snapon with the hand torch, i use hypertherm consumables on both. and they are good.

all i can say about plasmas is when they are working good they are working good. But when they aren't working they suck. There is no middle ground. So far i have not had ANY issues with my hypertherm which was not cheap, but my snapon one sometimes decides it just doesn't want to cut.I know ian had issues with his miller when he first got it.
very important to run an air drier and do NOT run an oiler. and the right consumable for the thickmness you are cutting makes a world of difference.I keep a few different sets on hand for different material thickness'.

if the price point is right go for it but test it out first if you can. get a model number and give arsource a call and see if they can get your consumables and how much they are. 
 
 

[jps4jeep]

I agree, most consumables will have some compatability with other "brand names."

My 110 miller plasma is near 20 years old and shares the same tip and electrodes as my friends fairly new snapon which I believe is a 220 and made by esab.

[SPYDER]

The snap on dealer who has it for sale believes it's made by Lincoln but is not positive.  I won't have a chance to talk to my Mac dealer before next week but the price is so tempting I'm just gonna go for it.  Worst case I need a bunch of consumables which is need to buy anyways.  Been an awesome couple weeks....got a welder on an awesome deal and now the plasma.  Now all I need is a house with a garage.

[Ian]

i have the hobart airforce 625.  it works great.  it uses miller consumables so i'm golden.  i bought it brand new for $350.  it went for over 3k orginally.  i've used it a ton.  when i turned it on, i blew the mother board.  hobart took good care of me, but i can't say the same for middlesex gas in everett.  (it was 5 year old new old stock)

plasma cutters aren't the best for demolition.  they are awesome for cutting out brackets and other tasks.  i'd make sure it is 220v.  if the price is right go for it.  lincoln make two types of products, those they sell in the box stores and those they sell in welding shops.

when i get mine dialed in properly, it cuts pretty clean.  i quickly learned that when your tips are too worn they affect cutting quality. and as tony said, get an air dryer for it.  i used a cheap on from harbor freight and it did the job. 

[Bluerocket]

Plasma cutters are cool, how many brackets and frame plates are you going to make with it?

I use my porta-band more than plasmacutter, but I have not actually built a jeep in a long time.   Hopefully that will change soon.

[jeepgod]

I am with blue rocket on this one. I use my grinder, chop saw, drill press and band saw 10x than my plasma cutter

Yes cool factor of plasma is very high use factor though is very low


Good luck with it

[SPYDER]

Thanks.  I've always wanted one and the price is right so I couldn't pass it up.  I'll probably rarely use it but I've got it now if I really need it. 

Right now the plan for it is to stay at work, for a little till I know it's working properly and let us play with it. Then it's going home to help with the rebuild of the rear 1/2 of  buggy, so I can fit the fuel cell properly.

[Ian]

i haven't used my plasma cutter in a year but it was instrumental in a couple iFab builds.

it is a specialty tool. 

[SPYDER]

So finally for confirmation on who makes it and it's voltage.  It's made by Nutek and is a 220v.  So now I just need to convert its plug to the same plug we have at the shop for our welder and try cutting some stuff. 

[SPYDER]

got the plug all converted over to the correct plug for the shop and fired it up....cuts good so far.  just played with it for a couple minutes to make sure it works.  need to order some consumables and it should be good to go.

[jps4jeep]

Good to hear. post up some pics of your work.