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Thread: plasma cutters

  1. #1
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    plasma cutters

    I was wondering what make and model plasma cutters most of you guy's use and in your shops, and are they the best way to cut off body parts? My mig I decide to buy was a Miller 211,betweeen the car and general welding I think it best serves my needs. Thanks

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    I have Thermal Dynamics 38XL, no longer state of the art, but better than nothing.

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    Registered Member Rocketman's Avatar
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    I have the 40 amp one from Eastwood. I haven't used it much yet. I just played with it cutting up and old mower deck and then welding pieces together with the Eastwood 275 amp Mig Welder. It seems to work pretty good and I bought it on sale. I think they are both going to do what I want them to do. If I was running a shop I would probably go with Miller. I did find out Mig welding is not as easy as it looks in the utube videos.

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    Registered Member NickP's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by bigblock View Post
    I was wondering what make and model plasma cutters most of you guy's use and in your shops, and are they the best way to cut off body parts? My mig I decide to buy was a Miller 211,betweeen the car and general welding I think it best serves my needs. Thanks
    I have two 625 Millers, one is a suit case the other a larger one but same capacity. Actually, I'd like to sell the larger of the two.

  5. #5
    Registered Member chevynut's Avatar
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    I have a Miller Cutmate 375 and it serves my needs well. I don't even think they make the one I have anymore....the new ones are much smaller. I have used the heck out of it nearly every day for years and the only problem I've had so far is that one wire broke inside the torch from all the flexing there. I had to get a new torch/hose setup for it.
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    I went with the Hypertherm Powermax 45XP, so far so good. I purchased the model with the CPC port because I would like to eventually build a CNC table for it. The only ones I have heard complaints about are the ones with the built in air compressors. Miller has a $100 rebate on the 375 plasma cutter right now. Miller Spring Rebates. I Really wish they had that $500 rebate available on the diversion 180 when I was shopping for my TIG.

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    I was looking at the Hypertherm 45xp but for the money I'm leaning towards the Thermal dynamics sl40 with a 20'ft torch. I think it has the cap. range I need?

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by bigblock View Post
    I was looking at the Hypertherm 45xp but for the money I'm leaning towards the Thermal dynamics sl40 with a 20'ft torch. I think it has the cap. range I need?
    I'm guessing you're referring to the Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 42 with the SL40 torch? It appears to have the same material thickness capacity as the Powermax45, and for almost half the price of the hypertherm that looks like a good deal. Only other things you might want to compare between the models would be warranty, IPM, and duty cycle. The main reason I went with the hypertherm was because I do plan to build a CNC plasma table when space and time align.

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    Yes 56Safari you are right, hit the wrong button. I will look closer at the specs. I have alway's told my wife when she comments on the price of tools it only costs a nickel more to go first class.

  10. #10
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    Here's a good chart from Baker's gas and welding. (This is where I bought my plasma, shipping did take about 1.5 weeks FYI, not a dealbreaker for me though).

    https://www.bakersgas.com/media/catg...Comparison.jpg

    Also, you might want to compare the Kerf width of the machines at the given material thickness you plan on working with the most. though I believe most of the new machines are pretty comparable.

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