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Plasma cutter for under $300!!

Many years ago I bought myself a cheap, old, higher volume air compressor so that I could try out some new to me tools/techniques. Like plasma cutting for example. Life got in the way and many years later I still haven't tried my hand at it. This thread however has reawakened my interest! As I have read thru the posts tho it strikes me that this is a rather complex/expensive thing. An expensive machine, lots of accessories required and hazards requiring PPE. So I can't help wondering; wouldn't it be simpler to just use a jig saw for curves and an Evolution circular saw for straight lines??? Any thoughts/opinions???

BTW I already have the Evolution circular saw and I love the clean straight cuts I get with it in 1/4 inch steel plate.
 
Canadium said:
Many years ago I bought myself a cheap, old, higher volume air compressor so that I could try out some new to me tools/techniques. Like plasma cutting for example. Life got in the way and many years later I still haven't tried my hand at it. This thread however has reawakened my interest! As I have read thru the posts tho it strikes me that this is a rather complex/expensive thing. An expensive machine, lots of accessories required and hazards requiring PPE. So I can't help wondering; wouldn't it be simpler to just use a jig saw for curves and an Evolution circular saw for straight lines??? Any thoughts/opinions???

BTW I already have the Evolution circular saw and I love the clean straight cuts I get with it in 1/4 inch steel plate.
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For me the reason the have a plasma cutter because I hate having to cut anything over 1/4” with a saw. I’ve never tried an Evolution saw mind you.
I also got it for my CNC plasma cutter.
 
SomeGuy said:
Thanks for bumping this thread, was about to go hunting for it. I finally unboxed the bestarc welder and opened it up (for youtube video, was filming this evening). Still haven't cut with it, but can at least share a pic of what is inside. It's less bad than I expected....not amazing, but for the price, better than I expected.

View attachment 57874
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One thing I noticed from the photo...I wouldnt want to hook a fully charged air compressor line to that machine air system with just clear medical hose used in it. I would sure use a pressure reducer between a 150 psi supply and machine. I know a buddy trucker that used a chunk of that hose to repair one of his truck supply lines, line burst at 60 mph road speed...dumped all his air dynamited his breaks and skidded $5000 worth of tires on the pavement, the flat spots on those tires went thump-thump-thump down the road for the rest of their life.
 
Yes the plasma cutter has a built-in regulator - but there is big difference between the 70psi it needs and a compressor that goes to 150psi.
 
historicalarms said:
I know a buddy trucker that used a chunk of that hose to repair one of his truck supply lines, line burst at 60 mph road speed...dumped all his air dynamited his breaks and skidded $5000 worth of tires on the pavement, the flat spots on those tires went thump-thump-thump down the road for the rest of their life.
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Having the job of a truck dealer parts tech...I have seen some interesting "road side repairs" too.
seriously though...if you ever see a truck with repair unions in the blue n red hoses to the trailer...stay the hell out it's way...mostly for the fact there really isn't a union made to repair those, for obvious reasons...but somehow...determination overrules common sense and forethought for safety
 
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