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What Plasma Cutter Do You Like Best.......and Why?

ChickenRammit

ChickenRammit

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I need to pick up a plasma cutter, and I'm leaning towards the Spectrum 625 by Miller, but I want to know what everybody is using and why you all like your cutter.

I personally want to use the 625 to cut a variety of metal thicknesses from 16 gauge all the way up to 7/8".

I would appreciate some insight.
 
any decent unit will nicely cut up to 1/4 inch thicker than its rated for if your good with it. that may give you the option to buy a slightly smaller/cheaper unit.
 
http://www.parkermetalworking.com/ like $500 or less clams and I've been beating the snot out of it for 4 yrs... consumables are a bit pricey, but hey... i'm pretty sure it cuts just as well as some of the bigger dollar companies... :whistle:
 
I have the Miller 625 Xtreme and love it. Cutting 1/4" steel is like drawing on butter. Another good option is the Hypertherm Powermax 45. Both very good units, will last a long time.

The new 625 will run on 110 or 220 V, mine just runs on 220V. I like that it comes with a case so I can take it places and it doesn't get beat up, but the Hypertherm has 5 more A for a little bit more power. I would stay away from the 110V units if you want to cut the thicker stuff. Also, even cutting the thinner stuff is a lot quicker with a 220V unit if you look at the specs.
 
Run don't walk from the Parker units! Mines been sent back 3 times and the owner is an absolute PRICK! Booted off of Pirate for his b.s. , heck he disappeared from this site IIRC? Spend the money on a proven unit, don't take the chance with cheap Chinese crap. Never understood people who put Snap-On tools on a pedestal... then recommend you gamble your cash with no name cheesy garbage???

Btw mine is sitting in a Rubbermaid bin completely useless.
 
boy, that's a pokes directly at me if I've ever seen one.....
 
Not really, just offering my experience. Glad yours has held up for you for sure. Would just hate to see someone go thru what so many have to save a buck. A little research offers a lot of info. This topic has been beat to death...
 
Yeah ya got me. You are extremely outspoken when it comes to quality tools and I expect that from someone with your skills. Guess I was surprised you would recommend the Parker when its documented a POS. Meh, sounds like the op was on the right track anyways so sorry if I offended your senses.
 
it's just all news to me.. i researched em when i bought mine and never read anything about em.. maybe it's more in the last couple yrs or something... i found it to be a good value tool for the money, didn't know there where any issues.. sorry yours sh*t the bed...
 
yeah, that definitely sounds fubar'd... guess I got lucky..

is it as well built as a miller, thern, etc? not really, but mine has held up flawless to slamming around, etc.... it gets touted to and from work, etc.. damn consumables are expensive tho.. i need a new swirl ring and electrode right now as a matter of fact..
 
Here's what I have -

IMAG0125.jpg


Plenty of tips and electrodes, the swirl cup was broken in half when I received my unit back the 3rd and final time (bottom of pic). Which incidentally I was told was new with exception of case... Funny cause the mark I put on the inside was still there :eek1:. I gave up dealing with Phil after that, he said I was impossible to please :haha:. If you can use some of what I have shoot me a p.m. with your addy and i'll mail em to ya.

Hijack off to the op.
 
You can't go wrong with really any brand name plasma. It's capacity is most important. Buy the biggest you can. If you can buy one size up from what you THINK you will need, that way your covered.
 
I agree. I don't know if Lincoln makes plasma's, but the 3 brands I would look at are Miller, Hypertherm, and Thermal Dynamics. Buying a plasma that is a little bigger than you think you will need, is better than buying one that is just barely big enough. Running the machine at max output for extended periods is certainly hard on them.

When I bought my plasma in '98, ESAB was at the top of the plasma technology then. I bought the PCM 1125 and have only had one part failure. I was able to fix it myself with a part from a dead machine that I traded for so I would have spare parts. ;)

rdn2blazer said:
You can't go wrong with really any brand name plasma. It's capacity is most important. Buy the biggest you can. If you can buy one size up from what you THINK you will need, that way your covered.
Click to expand...
 
it's disappointing to hear there was such a problem w/ parker. i've had one too for the past 4 years and haven't had a problem w/ it.
 
Another here with the Parker me along with 3 guys I know have em no problems at all. If I had the cash it would be hypertherm hands down
 
I have a Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 50, only one I have ever used so I don't have anything to compare it to. Had it about 7 years no complaints so far.
 
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