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Plasma cutter for under $300!!

The plasma I have doesn't use that much air. Actually one of the things to do first when you get one of these plasmas is to turn the air supply down to 60psi or less. Don't cross 60 psi as the fittings have failed above that. Mine also has the separator build in to the back. Depending on thickness of cut a small compressor should work for these units. I have a fairly small compressor and it works fine. Again depends on how thick or long the cut. I also got the one deal for the consumables. Its definitely not to the level of the shop level units but it has served me very well for the last two years.
How large/small is your compressor?
 
I have a fairly small compressor and it works fine. Again depends on how thick or long the cut. I also got the one deal for the consumables. Its definitely not to the level of the shop level units but it has served me very well for the last two years.

I can only hope. Should be here by the end of the week. Then I can see what kind of air this particular machine really needs.

Is it safe to assume that thinner stock needs less air?
 
I'll do a video on it,
Looking fwd to seeing that test/video. BTY - if you want to do a road trip, bring it here for a face-off with my Hypertherm45
That's a smoking deal for $211
Seems like almost an April fools at that price point!
don't want to wait for a review. It's on sale now with a coupon now. Waiting would be silly.
So does that mean you ordered one?
Is it safe to assume that thinner stock needs less air?
IMO (or knowledge) - Cutting air consumption is pretty much constant vs time. Since thicker metal requires reducing travel speed - therefore increased length of cut (on a given volume of air) is directly proportional to decreased material thickness.
 
Cwret your hypertherm will run circles around this one. But these ones cost is so little in comparison.

Sus. Make sure your turn the air down. For the 20gauge stainless steel I was cutting I had it at 30psi and I think 8 amps. I can check tomorrow. Try it and see. Worst case it goes back to Amazon.

Pain for me is there is no power in my garage prior owner never installed so I have to run a cord from the dryer plug out the basement window to the garage. It’s first on my list in the spring when I put in a new meter base and swap out the panel.
 
The cheap Chinese plasma cutters are the bees knees for cutting down sheet/flat bar/weird shapes.

Get yourself a metal speed square and take the corners off the back of it and you have a good, square straight edge for under ~6" ish cuts. You grind the corners off to clear the torch it's obvious once you try it.

Longer, straight cuts 3/16" flat bar makes a good cutting guide and with the ag60 torches the cut will be about 3/16" away from the guide(if you're not using a standoff or wheels) so it's quick, easy & repeatable.

I've cut a shit tonne of 1/8", 3/16", and 1/4" with mine. For shorter cuts I doubt you'll have much problems with air supply. If you're cutting feet at a time different story.

As mentioned make sure air pressure is (usually) 65psi or less. Or you could blow the hose out of the fitting internally. Mine has a regulator and I just leave it at 60 or 65 at all times but with a smaller tank you may want to try less cutting sheet metal.

The ag60 torches(like what comes on that unit) also have 40, 50, and 60amp consumables. If you use 40amp (.9mm I believe?) it should use less air(smaller hole)

We had a miller spectrum 375 extreme at my last job and my sub $200 herocut with AG60 torch would easily out cut it..... In both thickness & how clean the cut was.
 
OMG buy this. Its on sale as well. Just cut stainless with it like butter. Cut steel all the time and have had no issues.. Thickest I have cut is 1/4". Mine is 2 years old and still works great. I have only run mine on 220v. I have plans to make a small cnc table but that has been for on my project list for two years so not going to happen any time soon.
I'm thinking of getting one of these.
Do I need an air dryer to use it?

Perhaps it's just the dry fall air, but when I "drain" my tank all that comes out is air no perceptible water at all.
 
I'm thinking of getting one of these.
Do I need an air dryer to use it?

Perhaps it's just the dry fall air, but when I "drain" my tank all that comes out is air no perceptible water at all.
Yes, plasma cutters need very dry air. Moisture just kills the consumables.
 
I'm thinking of getting one of these.
Do I need an air dryer to use it?

Perhaps it's just the dry fall air, but when I "drain" my tank all that comes out is air no perceptible water at all.

The deal earlier this week is gone though, it was another $100 off (so $211) which was just silly cheap to try out (mine should be here later this week).
 
I'm thinking of getting one of these.
Do I need an air dryer to use it?

Perhaps it's just the dry fall air, but when I "drain" my tank all that comes out is air no perceptible water at all.
Depends on how big of a tank/pump you have.

I can cut a lot with my 80gallon charged up to 160psi without even turning it on...

Your air is going to get wetter the harder the compressor has to work.
 
My little compressor says it does 3.3cfm at 90psi. The specs on the plasma cutter say it needs 8.8cfm at 90 psi. But I'm old. I'll prolly need more breaks than the plasma cutter would and I generally set the small tank to 125psi and it recovers pretty fast. Maybe frustrating for others, but I'm willing to try.
I don't think you will get very good cutting with that rating - short bursts. My 40A cutter will run ok with my 4.5 CFM compressor. One thing to note too - the air needs to be dry. even a speck of moisture blows up my consumables.
 
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Depends on how big of a tank/pump you have.

I can cut a lot with my 80gallon charged up to 160psi without even turning it on...

Your air is going to get wetter the harder the compressor has to work.
Well I have a 60 gallon, adjusted so it cuts off at 105 PSI. I don't anticipate cutting anything massive, so in all likelihood it will be be able to keep up with any cutting I will do.

If the air is not dry enough what happens?

I will have you know the enablers got the better of me yesterday so there is one on the way. Dang enabler's;-)
 
Well, just ordered one
Should be here by the end of the week

I was thinking about the plasma cutters you guys will be receiving shortly. Your evaluations will be interesting. As I previously said, at $211 (or even at the non-coupon full price of $300) that is an awesomely cheap price for a new 40 amp cutter!

I intend no sarcasm or criticism - but I think some caution and/or safety considerations are warranted.

- Grounding: Check the cable and both ends. Check that it has a tight and secure connection to the machine. Similarly, the ground clamp needs to be capable of securely attaching to the workpiece. Attach the clamp to the workpiece and not the table. Attach the ground clamp to the part of the workpiece that will not be severed and fall away. Wear welding gloves that are in good condition. If there is a failure with the torch, then it stops cutting (no big deal). If there is a failure with the ground path, then you can get a shock. Note: If the ground clamp is (incorrectly) attached to the part of the workpiece that falls off, then you could become the ground source.
- CSA certified: not likely at that price point. Suggest it be unplugged whenever it is not in use.
- Fumes, dust & PPE: (this applies to any plasma cutter): Wear shade 5 goggles. Cutting produces very fine dust that gets everywhere. Plasmas cutting fumes are nasty, wear a proper mask. (Even though I cut over a water table, I wear a 3M P100 half-facepiece mask under my hood. My welding hood goes down to a shade 5 and I like the protection of a hood vs goggles.)
 
I intend no sarcasm or criticism - but I think some caution and/or safety considerations are warranted.

Great advice Craig. It wont be till after Xmas that I open mine. I'll be in need of lots of advice. Can't be too careful with safety concerns. I don't think I have any lives left.
 
I have total confidence in all electrical components of my $3000+ Hypertherm plasma cutter but I do not think a $300- cutter offers that level of fire safety. Unplug it when not in use.
 
I have total confidence in all electrical components of my $3000+ Hypertherm plasma cutter but I do not think a $300- cutter offers that level of fire safety. As I said above - unplug it when not in use.

Your hypotherm cost you 3 grand? Holy Shit! I guess I'm not sure how a $300 unit could even begin to compare! Now you have me worried! It was cheap but maybe it's also just cheap junk!

I did note all your warnings about the connections. Are they enough? Should I have someone supervise me?

Was it a "stupid" purchase?

Anything in particular to look at when it arrives?
 
Your hypotherm cost you 3 grand? Holy Shit! I guess I'm not sure how a $300 unit could even begin to compare! Now you have me worried! It was cheap but maybe it's also just cheap junk!

I did note all your warnings about the connections. Are they enough? Should I have someone supervise me?

Was it a "stupid" purchase?

Anything in particular to look at when it arrives?

Make sure the ground wire is actually connected to the housing.
 
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