Problems with the Cutmaster 60i Plasma Cutter?

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I'm brand new to Plasma Cutters, so please bear with me.  I've been looking for a machine that's fully capable of making clean hand-held cuts through 3/4" steel and, on occasion, making lower-quality cuts through 1" steel.  Long story short, this has lead me to add the Cutmaster 60i to my list of potential candidates.  Unfortunately, I've read some negative feedback about this particular machine -- including one fellow calling it a "3K Dollar Paperweight."  I realize that this particular forum board is sponsored by ESAB, but an open forum is exactly that, so I thought that I'd come here and ask for some honest thoughts about the reliability of this product.  Any thoughts from those of you who've had experience with this plasma cutter, especially from those who've owned/used one for a while, would be greatly appreciated.Thank you kindly for your time.I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. - Thomas Jefferson
Reply:My machine has been good to me.  I had issues with the torch handle and consumables causing error codes.  Luckily I have two torch handles so it was easy to diagnose and solve the problem for me.  Others have had similar issues with contacts not being met in the torch handle, lead and connector at the machine and after several different trips to the repair shop had given up on the unit for good reason.  So far my machine is still working good after a couple of years of very light use.  Your mileage may vary.Lincoln, ESAB, Thermal Dynamics, Victor, Miller, Dewalt, Makita, Kalamzoo.  Hand tools, power tools, welding and cutting tools.
Reply:I had 4 of them. (Amazon deals. Traded 2, and sold one.. All working so far.. Two were 3 phase units, and I run it off of my 15 hp rotary with zero issues. The one I sold has seen as tough a life as you could find.. Guy fixes large Production saw mills. He has it on his CNC table now. You get 4 years warranty, so if used hard it should pay for itself..I know the guy with fixing the wood mills told me it paided him back right away. (Tons of Gouging) It a great machine there.Never liked the quick release torch handle and use the standard SL-60 on mine.Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyEsab CV353Thermal LM-200/ Lincoln feedersThermal 60i- 3phase Pak 50Thermal 35CThermal 15cINE 1500 Klutch 220iBlue Demon/140 msi/90sti
Reply:

Originally Posted by N2 Welding

My machine has been good to me.  I had issues with the torch handle and consumables causing error codes.  Luckily I have two torch handles so it was easy to diagnose and solve the problem for me.  Others have had similar issues with contacts not being met in the torch handle, lead and connector at the machine and after several different trips to the repair shop had given up on the unit for good reason.  So far my machine is still working good after a couple of years of very light use.  Your mileage may vary.
Reply:No I got the standard 60i Amazon deal Brand X posted a few months before Thermal Dynamics released the 60ix model.  So no real world experiance with the 60ix machine or upgraded 60% better life consumables.Lincoln, ESAB, Thermal Dynamics, Victor, Miller, Dewalt, Makita, Kalamzoo.  Hand tools, power tools, welding and cutting tools.
Reply:

Originally Posted by N2 Welding

No I got the standard 60i Amazon deal Brand X posted a few months before Thermal Dynamics released the 60ix model.  So no real world experiance with the 60ix machine or upgraded 60% better life consumables.