Help me choose my plasma cutter.

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All:I know this is bound to stir up a religious debate but here goes.I am going to purchase a plasma cutter next week.  I am a hobbyist at best and will not be using it hard.My cutting needs are  80% 3/8" mildsteel and AR500, 10% thiner stock and 10% up to 3/4".  Anything over 3/4" I have a oxy/act setup.   While intially this will be a hand torch and me using patterns I would like to keep the options open to transferring it to a CNC setup down the road.  I understand the cpacities drop off when considering plasma due to piercing.I have narrowed it down to:Hypertherm 600 or 100and the Thermal Dynamics cutmaster 51 or 81Any pro cons you care to share?  each distributor I have talked to claims they are the best becuase they are the industry standard and only make plasma cutters.   I figured I would go to the industry and ask for myself.Help me choose Thanks, Steven
Reply:If you are certian about the requirements you mention, the 600 or the 51 would both meet your needs.  I have played with both of these (600 and 51) at a local independent supplier and couldnt tell much of a difference (they were actually trying to decide which brand to carry, but I don't know which they ended up with...I could check if you are interested).  The roll cage on the cutmaster is a plus and I personally like the thermal dynamics torches (I use the pch102 with the extended life electrodes on a powcon starcut and it works great), but the 600 has a slightly higher set of cut ratings, but cost a little more also.  I guess I kinda lean toward the 51, but I am with you, it's pretty close to a toss up.Last edited by smithboy; 03-02-2006 at 10:07 AM.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:Hypertherm is the only way to go. Had my 1000 for years and no problems and good consumable life. Hope that helps.
Reply:Thanks for the replies folks.I am 80% sure I am going with the Thermal Dynamics cutmaster 81 or 101.Reasons:      I like the one torch design.         There is currently a sale on with a free 25' extension.      The local airgas carries consumables        There is a plasmcam table owner closeby and he has used the TD        with  no problems.       Non-HF start so should make it easier on CNC/computer shielding       The local TD dealer was willing to let me cut.  The local Hypertherm said        you can come by and cut but once you turn it on its yours.       Talked to the tech rep at TD and he went out of his way to help.So..  Unless something changes drastically TD it is.Thanks again for all your input.  I found out that both units are excellent and it really came down to a personal choice.StevenPS.Did look at ESAB but couldn't find any local dealers and one person I contacted had one and said "I still have it.  It sits on the shelf while the TD stays in use."The reason for deciding between 81 and 101 is a local shop said they would consider outsourcing some to me if I could cut 3/4 mild.