Cheap plasma cutters any experience?

[gonefishin]

I’m thinking of buying one of the cheaper plasma cutters. I’m looking at the forney 20p, amico power 40, and the lotos 50.

normally I stick to name brand stuff, but no more than I’ll use it.... plus Home Depot sells them. Hopefully they wouldn’t sell junk?? I like the idea of dual voltage too.

has anyone used anything made by those brands? They are probably all made by the same company in china, but who knows...

Thanks guys

 

[sweetk30]

i got a hypertherm xp45 she is a big boy level unit so no help on the cheepy units .

but my welding supply buddy told me NO built in air compressor units / and if they go bad good luck fixing them for cheep .

biggest thing is CLEAN DRY air feed .

here is my setup to give you ideas without re-typing it all . https://ck5.com/forums/threads/the-...ate-one-of-the-best-tools-of-all-time.331910/

also check over on www.garagejournal.com lots of guys with feedback on other brands .

 

[gonefishin]

That’s a really nice setup!! Way out of my budget for the near future though. Saving my pennies for a 40x40 shop next year.

I probably won’t have a problem with shop air since I have a few dryers and filters...

 

[Desert_K5]

Cut 50. I have one to cut down larger drops from my plasma table. Zero complaints so far.
This is the exact model we purchased: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078K81R4Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have no affiliation nor receive kick backs for the link. (just a heads up)

 

[nvrenuf]

Cut 50. I have one to cut down larger drops from my plasma table. Zero complaints so far.
This is the exact model we purchased: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078K81R4Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have no affiliation nor receive kick backs for the link. (just a heads up)

Holy crap that’s cheap, seems like they are always double that or more. How turn key is that? Does it come with a start up set of consumables?

I’ve been messing with a torch set trying to get it operational but I can buy that plasma cheaper.

 

[Fastereddie]

This is the one I got. There’s a few Chinese brands of the cut 50. It works pretty good for me up to 1/4”. You can sever 1/2” but it won’t be pretty.

 

[ryoken]

didn't read anything.. but I bought a parker metalworking one, sh*t, about 12 yrs ago.. i don't even know if they are still in biz... but that thing has been pretty flawless for a $400 price tag... still works today, but i tend to only use it in like, maybe 10% of cutting apps, if that... if i had a $2000 beast, i might say different... but generally i reserve it for long 1/8" sheet cuts.....

 

[Desert_K5]

Mine was everything except the actual plug end. I suppose it was because of the dual voltage option, they expect you to wire your own plug.

 

[HankScorpio]

I have a Lotos LTP50000. Its been great. Cheap from Amazon, no issues.

 

[jekquistk5]

I have the eastwood versa 60. I love that thing other than having to wait for consumables. Everyone on pirate raves about the cut50

 

[gonefishin]

Ok 1 more question. Is it worth getting a pilot arc non touch machine? Which is easier to use?

 

[sweetk30]

used a older esab you had to touch to start for a bit years ago .

now my hypertherm is pull trigger and it just cuts in mid air .

nothing better than just pull trigger in my opinion .

 

[runamok151]

didn't read anything.. but I bought a parker metalworking one, sh*t, about 12 yrs ago.. i don't even know if they are still in biz... but that thing has been pretty flawless for a $400 price tag... still works today, but i tend to only use it in like, maybe 10% of cutting apps, if that... if i had a $2000 beast, i might say different... but generally i reserve it for long 1/8" sheet cuts.....

x2 on the parker. Their plasma tec 40 cut 1/4" like butter.

https://parkermetalworking.com/parkermp120416_002.htm

 

[RSWORDS]

Got a cut 50D. Best $200 I've spent.

If I used to daily (or even weekly) I'd have got a name brand. But for something that sits as much as it does it's always worked flawlessly when needed.

 

[gonefishin]

I ordered this one. I will be home in about a week to try it out. I went ahead and got the pilot arc version.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/AMICO-P...-Clean-Cut-Cutting-Machine-APC-40HF/312077854

 

[1-ton]

The only bad thing I have heard about the cheap plasma cutters is the internal air lines coming apart, but they are not that hard to upgrade so they will not come apart and leak.

 

[JoshHefnerX]

On the cheaper units, have any of you had problems getting consumables? Any of them compatible with 'common' brands?

 

[HankScorpio]

On the cheaper units, have any of you had problems getting consumables? Any of them compatible with 'common' brands?

I have had the Lotos for around 5 years. Just ordered a consumable pack, no problem. Seems to be only a couple styles actually on the cheaper ones, probably a lot of interchange.

 

[Desert_K5]

@JoshHefnerX No problem on consumables. Here's the pack I purchased when I bought the cutter. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0746H65CQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
(No affiliation with the link)

 

[nvrenuf]

Bumping this back up while roaming CK5 late at night...

Is everyone still happy with their machines? Anyone have any problems? Would you buy it again?