ESAB 1250 plasma reviews?

admin

I have a chance to buy an esab 1250 plasma and of course have a few questions. My LWS handles esab so getting parts or consumables is easy.How is the 1250 on consumables, I hear some plasmas eat consumables fast and some don't?How is the unit overall? Hold up well, problems, annoyances?Assuming the unit is in good shape what should it be worth?Forget it and keep watching for a hypertherm?Thanks guys! I always appreciate the help!
Reply:I have one,   I like it.   Consumable life isn't the best but i have employees that will set it to kill and drag it on everything.  without a standoff.      My shop air isn't the cleanest either.    I have been looking for aftermarket consumables for it because the genuine esab units are PRICEY!     I got mine for a steal brand new in the box, and it replaced one of my older 750'sVantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:You would be far better off with a 1300 or 1600. Better consumable life and more solid design.
Reply:How much better though? I was told esab doesn't change their consumable design for long terms to keep it current and available. What exactly is "more solid design" in the new ones? I do know the new ones cost $2000 more.
Reply:Going to pick it up today. Can't wait to start making torch jigs for it and cut some stuff like butter!I already have been looking at plasmacam tables. There is a 4x4 one local on craigslist for 3500. But they say doesn't come with computer. Now I have plenty of extra computers sitting around but I bet the software isn't cheap? Just sort of dreaming about the table anyhow, I doubt I would ever really need it or use it to its full potential.
Reply:Originally Posted by VPTGoing to pick it up today. Can't wait to start making torch jigs for it and cut some stuff like butter!I already have been looking at plasmacam tables. There is a 4x4 one local on craigslist for 3500. But they say doesn't come with computer. Now I have plenty of extra computers sitting around but I bet the software isn't cheap? Just sort of dreaming about the table anyhow, I doubt I would ever really need it or use it to its full potential.
Reply:Originally Posted by VPT But they say doesn't come with computer. Now I have plenty of extra computers sitting around but I bet the software isn't cheap?
Reply:Welp, got it back here, did a couple quick mods to the cart mainly hooks for the wires. Fired it up and made a couple cuts. Guy said it has the original tip and stuff on it yet and it does cut a little crooked so I will be going monday to get some consumables for it.But it works. However Right when I turned it on only air would come out when pushing either of the two buttons on the torch. After about a minute or two of playing around and clicking the buttons it finally fired off and worked every time on both buttons after that. The fan on the back also didn't turn on during this time. When it finally fired off the fan came on and stayed on as well. Do these machines have to "warm up" for a few minutes when first turned on before cutting? No lights were on besides the power light.I only made 3 cuts with it, this was the very first one.Thee machine.And just a pic for you brand loyal guys.
Reply:try 3shopriver ebay seller,  they have consumables super cheap.  they work fine,  not as nice as esab ones but you can buy a dozen of them for the price of 1 esab nozzle.  their ceramic swirl rings and electrodes are good,  work fine on my esabTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawtry 3shopriver ebay seller,  they have consumables super cheap.  they work fine,  not as nice as esab ones but you can buy a dozen of them for the price of 1 esab nozzle.  their ceramic swirl rings and electrodes are good,  work fine on my esab
Reply:I don't use ebay.After reading the pdf manual I figured out that my problem was the machine has a 2 second preflow before firing off and arc, after the initial arc it will arc instantly every time after that while in postflow which lasts 20 seconds.
Reply:Made up the first aid for the plasma today, all stainless.Also picked this up for the next guide project.
Reply:Originally Posted by VPTGoing to pick it up today. Can't wait to start making torch jigs for it and cut some stuff like butter!I already have been looking at plasmacam tables. There is a 4x4 one local on craigslist for 3500. But they say doesn't come with computer. Now I have plenty of extra computers sitting around but I bet the software isn't cheap? Just sort of dreaming about the table anyhow, I doubt I would ever really need it or use it to its full potential.
Reply:I saw you post in another thread and was going to ask if you work at or own plasmacam? The one that was listed locally was taken down already and I am sort of kicking myself for not jumping on it, I guess I'll hope that saying "good things come to those that wait" holds true.the more research and stuff I do the more I want a cnc plasma table. Thank you very much for the info on the software for the plasmacam! Although after doing some research I am wondering what the sellers meant when they said doesn't come with computer. I now wonder if they meant the computer with drivers and all or just the PC puter.Either way I am still very interested in a table like I said and will be keeping my eyes open for one! I almost feel I NEED one by now. lol
Reply:Looking like I have an appointment to go and deal and most likely pick up the plasmacam 4x4 this weekend.Dan, I read the newer plasmacam software is very user friendly which I NEED! The table is a 2005 unit, would this table be using something like the newer software? I know nothing about G-code stuff and am pretty computer illiterate. I have a hard time even using paint where I can draw a line with the mouse. lolIf the 05 software isn't very easy what options do I have and could you PM me pricing on any possible options for easy to use software?Another thing I notice while watching videos is most plasma cutter seem to fire off right away on the table and do the cut. My esab has a 2 second delay on the first fire and then instant fire every time after that (within a 20 second window). Will this be ok with the plasmacam software (progamable into the software)?Sorry for lots of questions, this is going to take me some time to figure everything out.
Reply:And more questions regarding the HF start. I read where some say the newer DHC tables are designed to take HF start plasma cutters, is that right? I also read precautions can be made to save the electronics form the HF, any input on those? Is it inevitable death for the electronics mainly the control board using a HF start plasma? Would separating the control box/board from the table and isolating it help protect it from the HF?Just going threw all the possibilities here because after a winter of numerous unexpected bills, buying the plasma cutter, and now the table I am near dead broke for any sort of spending cash and don't have the option of buying yet another plasma cutter for awhile.
Reply:And how come the plasmacam section on CNCzone is all locked?
Reply:I read the millisecond HF start of the esab may not harm the plasmacam control board at all like chicom units do?Hard for me to believe no one has any input here? Anyone have a plasma table here? Is hypertherm paying plasmacam to promote their cutters?
Reply:Now that I have the table I understand where the HF makes its path to the control board. Threw the plasma cutter control wires from the control board tot he plasma cutter. Two of the wires are sensing wires that hook into the actual power feeds to the ground clamp and torch lead. BUT watching the instruction video plasmacam gives instruction on how to hook up a ESAB 1500, I will have to do some reading and see if the 1500 uses HF start like the 1250 I have. If it sis and they show how to hook on up and use one I won't feel as scared to use it.I loaded up the software from plasmacam on my laptop to play with and their program like people mention looks dead simple to use. Even for me that have never ever touched a CNC anything before am able to somewhat understand it and can figure lots of stuff out already on my own.However the former table owner suggested I download draftsight as a CAD program for designing stuff (what he uses for everything in his shop and quite an impressive shop it was!). Now while I can use the tools to draw simple circles, arches, square, and whatnot I am still at a total loss on the whole deal of how people know what the measurements are of stuff when it is on the screen. Even on the plasmacam software I don't see anything that tells you this circle/hole is this big and this far from this edge and the like. Anyone have some hints for me on this? The best I can figure out right now is a questimate by counting the dots on the plasmacam screen.I guess I will be spending allot of time on cnc boards and stuff for awhile till I can figure stuff out.He did have the table hooked up when I got there so I was able to run it threw all its paces. He did take some time and show me a few things on the software as well which helped me.
Reply:Built a cabinet to hold the computer today, formatted the hard drive, reloaded windows, plasmacam software, hooked everything up, turned everything on, plasmacam software can't see table...I had a problem in the past of the printer not working off this computer randomly one day. I just assumed it was the cheap printer gave up the ghost but now I am thinking the printer port may be bad on the puter. I came in for a break and will try another spare computer tomorrow.I have spent a few hours watching CAD tutorials on youtube last night and this morning. I wish more of these guys making these tutorials spoke better english lol. I figured out how to see measurements but I wish I could see them in real time when making the circles or square or whatnot. I am sure there is probably a way, just have to watch about 12 hours more of lessons. lol
Reply:Got the other puter hooked up yesterday and got to finally move the gantry around. Even put a few circles and squares up on the screen and did a test run with no torch and all went good.One thing I did notice is the Z axis acts like it is dry and chatters when going up or down. I tried some adjustment with the two screw that hold the Z axis motor down and got it to act a bit better. I also lubed the screw with some chain lube and that didn't do anything. I am thinking something in the motor itself is dry like bearings or brushes. The motor isn't assembled with screws or bolts but with twist metal tabs. I may just pop the top cap off just to see what I can see inside. Apparently they are DC servo motors, anything I should be aware of before opening it up? Like don't open it up? lol The screw travels right threw the middle of the motor.