Plasma cutter recommendations

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I'm learning to weld and I'm doing better than I expected. I have a Lincoln 140C mig and I stick to small/fun projects.  I think that makes this a hobby.......I'm about to take on building a smaller (6'x10') dump trailer so I can take care of my honeydoos more efficently. I want to purchase a hobby sized plasma cutter. I like good equipment and I take care of it.....so I am sure I'm staying away from HF tools.......unless someone changes my mind with cost vs performance discussions. I currently do not have 220 power.....so that may limit my options........but I can get 220 if its really worth the expense.I hope I can tell my wife I need this cutter to help with her work!......Any suggestions and or comments are appreciated!ThanksTimmer
Reply:Honest to God, I'm not funnin' ya.  Unless you're gonna be constantly working with thin gage stuff, your money's better spent on a O/A outfit.  Most thin stuff can be sheared by your supplier, like the sides on your trailer.  Pretty thin sheet, and square.  The plasma is handy for thin stuff that's maybe cut round or in other irregular shapes.  But it's 1200 bucks better spent on other more useful tools.Believe me.  I've been doing this for a while, and I can count on the fingers of 1 hand the times I actually needed a plasma cutter.The trailer your contemplating building may have from 1/2 plate down to 12ga metal.  The torch will handle the thicker stuff very well, and it's gonna be the bulk of the stuff you have to cut."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:I am working on a 5'x10' dump right now, and take it from me unless you have ALL the material (including axles and hydraulics) you can buy a new dump trailer cheaper than you can build one.  If you happen to find good deals on all used stuff, you might get lucky and spend less than you could buy one for, but that isn't figuring in labor.  If you work for $1 an hour you might be ok, any more than that and I doubt it.  I have been trying to track my expenses and I am going to have a lot more invested than what I could have bought a trailer for.  I already had the materials on hand so I decided to use them up.  I got tired of seeing new parts laying around, and the money was already spent.
Reply:Even after you buy the plasma cutter, it takes a powerful air compressor to keep up with it.City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:The biggest advantage with building the dump trailer is I have a bad back and I really hate handling some things twice. The next reason to build it myself is because I am still learning to build things and its better than sitting in front of the boob tube in the evenings.I may have to re-think this. A plasma cutter probably is a tool that is currently over my head as far as skills are concerned. I have a 1963-era Rigid horizontal saw that will cut most things that I need. I do have a O/A torch set-up for anything bigger. My plan for the dump trailer will include inserting a dump bed assembly in an already built flatbed trailer. It will not be a "heavy duty" trailer......but it will do landscaping chores and trash runs, Thanks for the help guys.......I do know experience is worth listening too!Timmer
Reply:Hi Timmer question is this trailer going to be used on road? Most of the material requirements for building an on the road dump trailer are well beyond the capacity of the Lincoln 140 MIG! I have a Century 135GL and its recommended max is 3/16" I use gas with mine I have done up to 1/4" with multiple passes. But for building the framework and hydraulic portion of the trailer you'll need a 220v MIG to ensure adequate penetration of the welds.And they were also right about considering buying versus building. If you cannot afford new consider used. Advantage there is buying a road ready trailer that has it certifications for road registration. Otherwise you have to comply with all the DOT requiremennts and certifications as well as certificate of origin on the trailer.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:Hey Timmer,Not sure I would agree that a plasma cutter is "over your head' skills wise. Although there is a learning curve there, I'm sure you'd pick it up just fine.As has already been stated, it's not just the plasma cutter - it's the air to supply it as well. Then that begs the question, do you buy a plasma cutter/compressor combo that can only run off 110V, and what kind of perfomance does that buy you?Sounds like between suppliers and a good OA setup, may get you through this project. If it was me, and you can see yourself wanting to eventually add to your metal fabrication capabilites, I'd but a good OA cutting setup and invest some $$ in upgrading your electrical, so you have 220. This will open up mroe possibilities down the road and when the time comes to add a plasma/compressor OR another welder, you'll have many more options.Good luck with the project!MikeMiller Dynasty 200DXHypertherm PowerMax 45Victor OAIR CompressorLots of blacksmithing tools and other fun toys meant to creatively disfigure, reshape, manipulate and join metal.
Reply:I'd have to go with the drift of previous posters.As far as priorities, this is what I'd suggest.Spend the money to upgrade your electrical system.  50A/230V minimum.Upgrade the mig to a 180-200A unit (230V).Secure a decent size air compressor (10 CFM @ 90 psi).  You'll find that air tools really come in handy (die grinders, cut off wheels, etc).Then look at a plasma cutter.  Many good brands out there (Miller, Thermal Dynamics, Lincoln, etc--avoid the Chinese junk) but personally I prefer the Hypertherm units.  The Powermax 30 or 45 are excellent for home hobbiests.  Actually, the learning curve for plasma is pretty short compared to other elements of metal mangling.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:i am a hobby welderof all the toys available i see plasma as low on the list because:--they are relatively expensive-you need air too, and consumables..--an o-a torch is much cheaper and with several tips,cutting and welding, is way more  versatile..--you'll never learn o-a  skills if you buy the plasma
Reply:Wow......It seems pretty clear. I should learn to utilize my O/A setup first. I will slow down and regroup. I do like making "Jigs" and learning.......so I will shift my efforts. I'm still going to "design" my trailer "insert" (I'm a AutoCad guy by profession).....but I will wait until I have a better grip on my metal working direction. I do appreciate the input. I can't buy experience like you guys have. Thank you all!!Timmer