Help choosing a cutting outfit

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Hi to all , I need help choosing a cutting outfit . I'm between a smith oxey,act  setup or a plasma cutter i was thinking the miller spectrum 375 extreme . I will be using it for my welding projects . I like the cutting torch because of it's protablety, moving it outside . But I also like the plasma because of the MVP system that miller has that you can change it to 110 volts to 230. But I would need a bigger compresser to keep up with it . The thickness of the steel is 1'8 all the way up the 1''. I  never know what I might get in too. Sometimes the steel is dirty, rusty and clean. Also I have the miller welder 211 witch is a grate machine. And I want to keep in mind the safety aspect of it.  Thanks  again
Reply:Originally Posted by stihl91Hi to all , I need help choosing a cutting outfit . I'm between a smith oxey,act  setup or a plasma cutter i was thinking the miller spectrum 375 extreme . I will be using it for my welding projects . I like the cutting torch because of it's protablety, moving it outside . But I also like the plasma because of the MVP system that miller has that you can change it to 110 volts to 230. But I would need a bigger compresser to keep up with it . The thickness of the steel is 1'8 all the way up the 1''. I  never know what I might get in too. Sometimes the steel is dirty, rusty and clean. Also I have the miller welder 211 witch is a grate machine. And I want to keep in mind the safety aspect of it.  Thanks  again
Reply:Since the 375 extreme is rated at 3/8" and lists 5/8" on the spec sheet, I seriously doubt you will get decent results on 1". On the other hand, you can easily cut material in the whole range you listed with oxy fuel and you can also heat and bend material as well as braze, something that's not an option with plasma.Plasma would be a better choice however if you need to do a lot of stainless or alum cutting, something oxy fuel will not do. The plasma at the tech school gets used very often simply because they recut the stainless coupons. All the mild steel coupons get cut or recut with OA though.Personally I'd suggest oxy fuel over a plasma unless you really have a overriding need for a plasma that out weighs oxy fuel. I simply find oxy is generally more versatile in a small shop compared to plasma. I've got a Hypertherm PM 1000 and must have about 6 different oxy rigs. I probably use both about equally for cutting at the shop, but the oxy wins hands down if I have to go on the road to cut something for a job. I also find i use the torch more often than not to heat frozen nuts, bend metal as well as occasionally braze and solder. That means I use the oxy rigs way more than I ever use the plasma. I will admit the ability to run the plasma on 110v power would allow me to do some portable work on thin sheet metal rather than cutting that with a zip wheel or snips. To gain that portability however I'd have to give up the top end power that helps with SS and alum, the reason I bought the plasma in the 1st place.Safety wise, both are probably about equal if treated with respect..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Good advice from both jbmprods and DSW.I agree with getting the torch first. I prefer Smith because it's top quality and made in USA with a lifetime warranty on the torches. I would also look into ESAB, (Oxweld & Purox) as they are also made in USA and offer a lifetime warranty on both torches AND regs. Another two popular and quality brands are Harris or Victor. See what your LWS carries so you can get tips easily. Also I run propane because it's alot cheaper, lasts longer and is available everywhere, even on weekends. And it's safer, if your new to oxy/fuel usage."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:I use the Smith torches. I like the fact that the O2 adjusting knob on the cutting head is ambidextrous, since I'm left handed. I agree with getting a torch first and plasma later. I'd also go with a Thermal Dynamics or Hypertherm as already recommended. I used a Miller plasma once, wasn't impressed...
Reply:I'll 3rd or 4th or whatever the count is now, on getting the torch.  Especially since you only mentioned steel as your material.  Although I don't like Stick-Man as a person and think he's a lousy thief, I'll agree with him about going for propane as well - you'll find many threads about that here by searching.Frankly, I don't have a plasma and I'm in the business.  BUT, when and if much aluminum or SS came my way, I'd drop the bills for a good one, with about 2x the capacity I thought I'd need.  That's been my philosophy since day one, and I rarely outgrow a tool.Finally, if I can offer you a little advice on the Smith torch:A) If you run with propane only and therefore are only going to be randomly heating and cutting, and you want a heavy-duty torch, consider a straight cutting torch like the SC229 vs a combination torch.  Propane puts out a tremendous volume of heat, and there are special 'rosebud' tips made only for Smith's straight torches if your cutting tip or the next size or two up isn't enough.  B) If you're wanting a combination torch, try the medium duty WH100/MC509.  Don't automatically think you need the heavy-duty, which tends to be pretty cumbersome for almost everything you want to do with it.  At least I find it to be that way.  I own several of Smith's large combo torches, but right now I have a straight torch hooked up on the truck and a medium-duty hooked up in the shop.  The others stay on the shelf, and I honestly don't know when or if I'll use them again.C) Finally, consider buying used.  I've bought many torches off ebay or CL that were in fine shape, ready to go.  Some that weren't as well, but they've all been advertised honestly.  And if you ask our opinions on some that you see and are interested in, we'll be happy to give our opinions.
Reply:i really hate to agree with anybody, especially the Tbone dude (since he wanted to rob my shop and still hasn't delivered my hood as promised) but cl is a great place to pick up a near new torch. unless you need the large body torch go with a medium as it is handier to work with. i just picked up a like new Victor 100fc for 20 bucks. i can't talk for a Smith because the only one i own is a little torch and i can't cut crap with it.Last edited by jbmprods; 11-26-2011 at 01:31 PM.225NT bobcatAEAD200LEScott 125mm175, mm252 w 30A, PT225mm211, TA 181iHyper Therm 380, cut master 529100X & XX, Digital Elite6 Victor setssmith little torch, meco midget kalamazoo band sawsteel max saw evoulution circular saw
Reply:Originally Posted by jbmprodsi really hate to agree with anybody, especially the Tbone dude
Reply:Application is the first question. You said steel, are you cutting a lot of 18 to 11 guage steel sheets? If so a plasma smokes. On the other hand if you occasionally cut thinner stock and need a general purpose cutter for a variety of stock the torch is more versatile. Besides just cutting you can braze, heat for bending, preheat. I noted in your post you said to 1" thats a big plasma cutter and some serious cash. For cutting big stuff the torch is still the working mans tool. They will cut up to 6-8 inches no sweat.I would suggest looking for used torches. I bought a few months back a complete Victor Journeyman set with regulators ( almost new ) for $200.00. Thats my third set of torches, and I am eyeballing another torch right now, just cant find a used one. Smith, Harris, Victor are all good torches.I think you will find it easier to find a set of good used torches than a decent plasma used.A plasma is one of my wish list items, but kind of down stream, there are other items that I need more in front of one. Again though if your doing mostly thin sheet metal or aluminum and stainless and thats what you mainly cut a plasma is hard to beat.If you don't own a torch a torch setup you should if your working with metal in your shop you need a torch.Concerning brands of Plasma cutters, pretty much one name......Hypertherm. Best value for the money.
Reply:tbone550, what head should i order on the Smith SC229? The 90 or 75 degree one. I will be running propane/ oxygen set up only for cutting & heating. ThanksAmerican by birth Southern by the Grace of God
Reply:C) Finally, consider buying used.
Reply:Heck, seems like most suggest the oxy/fuel set-up over plasma, but since it's not my money I say get BOTH and be happy with the added capability you have gained from having the best of both worlds. If you don't have either one right now you'll really be happy suddenly having to decide which one to use for which cutting application
Reply:Originally Posted by 74fencertbone550, what head should i order on the Smith SC229? The 90 or 75 degree one. I will be running propane/ oxygen set up only for cutting & heating. Thanks
Reply:Originally Posted by tbone550Sorry fencer, I didn't see your post until just now.I personally prefer a 90 degree head so I can easily rest both arms on the work surface.  There are very few times I've ever wished for an angled or 180 degree head.  However, when I buy a longer torch for demo work, it will have a 75 degree head to get me further away from the work.I prefer the SC40 series of tips for cutting (standard preheat) vs. the SC50 tips (heavy preheat) because the SC40's use less fuel.  You will want to run genuine Smith tips, and they can be found new and cheap on ebay.  Unless you're cutting steel beyond an inch thick, you won't have much use for a tip beyond a number 2 (as in, "SC40-2") except for heating.  For heating, the specialty tip is an SC112 (I think), but that puts out a tremendous amount of heat, like 242,000 BTU, and it will require LARGE tanks to feed it.  You'll probably get by fine with something like an SC50-4 for heating purposes even if you need a ton of heat.Hope this helps.
Reply:Originally Posted by Stick-manAs far as the head angle, I like the 90* for a 21" and like the meatball above me said a 75* for a 36"+ to angle away from the heat. However, a guy told me that I will learn that one reason for the 75* on a 21" is so you can rest the torch on it's knobs and bevel a pipe or plate by dragging your torch. He said I will probably learn that in the class I signed up for because that is where he learned it.
Reply:Originally Posted by tbone550Sorry fencer, I didn't see your post until just now.I personally prefer a 90 degree head so I can easily rest both arms on the work surface.  There are very few times I've ever wished for an angled or 180 degree head.  However, when I buy a longer torch for demo work, it will have a 75 degree head to get me further away from the work.I prefer the SC40 series of tips for cutting (standard preheat) vs. the SC50 tips (heavy preheat) because the SC40's use less fuel.  You will want to run genuine Smith tips, and they can be found new and cheap on ebay.  Unless you're cutting steel beyond an inch thick, you won't have much use for a tip beyond a number 2 (as in, "SC40-2") except for heating.  For heating, the specialty tip is an SC112 (I think), but that puts out a tremendous amount of heat, like 242,000 BTU, and it will require LARGE tanks to feed it.  You'll probably get by fine with something like an SC50-4 for heating purposes even if you need a ton of heat.Hope this helps.
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWThat's a new one for me. When you do it in the class, post up some picts.
Reply:tbone, Can you use the SC112 or SC50-4 heating tips with the cut only SC229 torch or just the SC40-1&2 cut tips. What are the advantages of the combo torch like the WH100/MC509 vs the SC229 if you are running propane only?American by birth Southern by the Grace of God
Reply:Originally Posted by 74fencertbone, Can you use the SC112 or SC50-4 heating tips with the cut only SC229 torch or just the SC40-1&2 cut tips. What are the advantages of the combo torch like the WH100/MC509 vs the SC229 if you are running propane only?
Reply:Well this seams to becoming a acetylene vs propane debate.  I'll make one comment on that regard that wasn't obvious to me until I got a propane rig set up.  A 20lb gas grill tank is a whole heck of a lot lighter than a #2 ,#3 or #4 acetylene tank.  My rig can be seen in this thread.  http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=42525I wasn't really going for light weight, but it came out that way.  I can roll this thing around the yard pretty easy.  If you in-vision yourself having to use your rig away from the shop its something to think about.Miller 250x & Lincoln V205-TSmith Oxy-Prop torch
Reply:Originally Posted by 74fencertbone, Can you use the SC112 or SC50-4 heating tips with the cut only SC229 torch or just the SC40-1&2 cut tips. What are the advantages of the combo torch like the WH100/MC509 vs the SC229 if you are running propane only?
Reply:Stick-man,Chuck and tbone550, Thank You for the info! I believe i am ready to order some of this stuff for my cutting rig. Now i have to find the best Guages for the set up. It would be nice if Smith sold a complete set up for the Oxy/propane cutting torch set! To make life a bit easier.American by birth Southern by the Grace of God
Reply:Originally Posted by 74fencerStick-man,Chuck and tbone550, Thank You for the info! I believe i am ready to order some of this stuff for my cutting rig. Now i have to find the best Guages for the set up. It would be nice if Smith sold a complete set up for the Oxy/propane cutting torch set! To make life a bit easier.
Reply:To expand, yes look on ebay, ALOT of great deals. Actually, ther were two brand new heavy duty Smith regs, for like $80.00 each. Another Smith set of regs and SC229 torch, item number 230708149614, on there right now.You do not need a propane reg. You can use an acet reg with propane, but you're limited to 15psi, which is plenty to cut up to 8" thick steel. And in the future, you can use it with acet. if you want to try welding with it.Also, if you insist on new, Esab (Oxweld & Purox) are now lifetime warranty on both torches AND regs. Just a thought. Good luck, and let us know what you get and post up some pics."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"