Trying to decide between my next shop investment. Debating between either a plasma cutter or a tig welder. Which one is more useful for repairing//rebuilding one of these rigs? I've got air and a 220v connection.
CK5
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Plasma cutter or TIG
- Thread starter centexk5
- Start date
rampage
3/4 ton status
If it was me I’d get a TIG so I could join metal, I can always find a way to cut it, albeit slower.
i have both and use the plasma cutter more . but i have yet to realy use the tig .
my cutting torch setup is ready to kill the plasma unit for the use its getting .
go hypertherm and a motoguard inline dryer filter on it .
links to my stuff below in my sig line shop /play pen .
but i like both options so pic what yo do the most of in the end . . . cutting or welding .
my cutting torch setup is ready to kill the plasma unit for the use its getting .
go hypertherm and a motoguard inline dryer filter on it .
links to my stuff below in my sig line shop /play pen .
but i like both options so pic what yo do the most of in the end . . . cutting or welding .
I use my Mig the most. Plasma cut second. Tig is third.
red EOD
1/2 ton status
I bought one of those dirt cheap plasma cutters on Amazon, a 'Cut 50'. Wired up for 120v it cuts actually pretty decent, haven't tried it on 240v. Not near the quality of a hypotherm but for about $215 it's been worth it.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018XFZUA8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018XFZUA8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
runamok151
1 ton status
Get both, Parker Metal makes a plasma/tig/stick combo. I have their plasmacut 40 and it's a good cutter.
https://parkermetalworking.com/parkermp120416_004.htm
https://parkermetalworking.com/parkermp120416_004.htm
Been fabricating in my shop for years and still haven't invested in a plazma yet... Still want one especially for aluminum jobs but I get by with a mig and a tig and angle grinders haha
Same.
I use the TIG mostly for stainless steel work. The plasma cutter only gets pulled out when I'm cutting a lot of sheet steel.
I've got a mig, angle grinder, bench grinder, and drill press. I'm getting by with all of this but I'm all for making things easier.
Mig hobart ironman 230 and plasma jeggs 40amp $200. All i need for cutting and welding on these rigs.
If your choosing between a welder and a cutter I would go with a welder first. If you already have a welder than plasma for sure.
If your choosing between a welder and a cutter I would go with a welder first. If you already have a welder than plasma for sure.
I bought my plasma years ago and I dont think I've ever used it on the rock crawler.
For straight cutting material though I have used THE SHIT out of this tool.
https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/Power-Tools/Woodworking/Circular-Saws/6370-20
For straight cutting material though I have used THE SHIT out of this tool.
https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/Power-Tools/Woodworking/Circular-Saws/6370-20
If that's the case I would get the plasma cutter now.
TIG is nice but already having MIG a plasma will be good for a while, you will wonder how you were doing without it.
Next step get the TIG.
Unless you can afford an all in one.
rampage
3/4 ton status
^^ Knowing this, I change my vote to plasma cutter.
Hell yeah, they aren't kidding around with the 1/4" cut capacity. I wish I had more stuff to cut, because this saw is a whole lot of fun to pull out.
I've used those saws at work to cut uni-strut. Way easier than a band saw or sawzall.
You have a MIG, and GM Squarebodies are mild steel (you said "these rigs") - almost no stainless or aluminum aboard.
Plasma FTW.
Plasma FTW.
I bought a plasma cutter 5 years ago or more and have never used it. I use the TIG welder as my MIG welder ****up eraser. I would like a fancier TIG welder, preferably a modern Dynasty DX. I would use the TIG welder more if it was water cooled.
You can get a decent Tig machine and a Plasma Cutter off Amazon for right around $1K,get both.
I would definitely go for a good plasma cutter. I have a Miller mig, Lincoln Tig, and a Hypertherm Plasma. I use the mig welder the most by far, and the tig and plasma about the same amount. BUT, if it wasn't for aluminum boats, I would not use the tig near as much as I do. Throw out the boat and I use the mig and plasma primarily.
Plasma is awesome. I should have bought one 10 years ago. My mig gets the most use, plasma next, and tig is pretty much never used.
Also of note, if I would have bought the plasma 10 years ago I probably would have saved a good chunk of the price in abrasives. Gouging and almost flush cutting is excellent.
Also of note, if I would have bought the plasma 10 years ago I probably would have saved a good chunk of the price in abrasives. Gouging and almost flush cutting is excellent.
