Not familiar with these Name Brands?

admin

Seems to me that the Plasma Cutting world has machines made by companies that are not as common as the standard welding names like Lincoln, Miller, Hobart.What is the general ranking of the quality, price, parts availability and value of the following Plasma Machines?GTLotosEverlastThermal ArcRamsondAny others to consider?Thanks,John
Reply:You must be shopping on Ebay. Thermal Arc is the only brand you named that I'm familiar with, and I'm not sure they make any plasma cutters under that name. I think maybe Thermal Arc and Thermal Dynamics are both part of Thermadyne Corp. Thermal Dynamics is the Cadillac of the plasma cutting world. Hypertherm is big also. But all the major welding machine mfr's make plasma cutters, Miller, Lincoln, Hobart, Esab, you name it. I've been a welding machine electronics repair technician for twenty years. There's more to be learned in buying a plasma than I have time or space to say here, and a lot of pitfalls to avoid. Inverter technology has blossomed the last ten years or so, a good 50 amp inverter type machine will cut 3/4" stainless a high quality cut at production speed, whereas the old transformer types would only do 1/2".  If you can afford it, buy a Thermal Dynamics, ESPECIALLY if you're buying a used machine. As far as the welding machine co's, Miller seems to make a pretty reliable plasma machine.Having said that, I would not necessarily be afraid of buying an off brand (new), but the main thing I would look at is this: what is the claimed duty cycle at the amperage you plan to use it, or at the maximum claimed amperage output of the machine?  For example if they call it a 50 amp machine, or if they call it a 3/4" machine, what is the claimed duty cycle at that capacity? It should be at least 40% to 50%. If it's 20% or 30% they are overstating the capacity and it will probably crap out on you at an early age if you use it at it's maximum. Duty cycle for welders is based on  percentage of a ten minute period, which means if it's 40% duty cycle at fifty amps you could use it for four minutes at 50 amps and then you should let it rest for 6 minutes. Basically I have found that you can cheat a little bit and not let it rest that long, but you should not exceed the four minutes continuous usage at maximum output before letting it rest for a few minutes.Last edited by repairelectech; 11-12-2008 at 01:36 PM.Reason: accuracy
Reply:Hypertherm is the largest producer of plasma cutting equipment....all of their systems are designed and built in Hanover, NH, USA. They manufacture hand held systems from 12 to 200 Amps as well as mechanized systems from 40 to 760 Amps. Hypertherm systems have a reputation for reliability and long consumable parts life. While they are not the least expensive systems to purchase....they usually prove to be the least expensive to own!Check them out at your local welding distributor...or at www.hypertherm.com
Reply:Hypertherm makes a good product. The only reason I've preferred T. D. machines over the years is in the torches. Hypertherm went with blowback arc starting some 8-10 years ago while T.D. stayed with the tried and true high frequency methodMost of my customers with repair problems, even to this day, are having problems with the blowback torches. Hypertherm makes the torches that go on Miller plasmas also, and they have the same problems with the torch. The cadmium plated contact gets pitted, or a welder tightens the consumables way too tight, or the torch gets dropped a little too hard, and you've got yourself a non-working plasma cutter. If you're not highly mechanically and electrically skilled, take the HT torch apart once and it will never work right again. I talked to T.D. before I made that last post, and evidently their newest machines are using a blowback design. They claim to have learned from the mistakes of all the companies who've used blowback over the last 10 years, including leaving out the limit switch. I have no experience with a TD blowback torch but as a repair tech with a lot of experience repairing blowback torches, I have to salute TD's hesitance to leave high frequency behind. It probably made their machines a little more expensive, but definitely more reliable.Last edited by repairelectech; 11-12-2008 at 08:59 PM.Reason: accuracy
Reply:i will have to agree with the last 2 post. i  have used both brands and the T.D. brand of products will have to say are my favorite. the others that you have on there i do not recognize.
Reply:I agree that early blowback torches were problematic....maybe 10 to 12 years ago....but that is far from the case now. The Hypertherm torches are quite trouble free...and are easily repairable if there is an issue.Thermal uses a start cartridge that uses the blowback technology without infringing on other companies patents. The start cartridge adds more complexity to the torch...and can be a problem if it is not kept clean.Jim
Reply:John, considering that money is tough to come by, it is maybe more important than ever to look into the quality, and "Longevity" of the equipment you are looking into. I have a little Lincoln pro cut 25, it is good for up to 3/8" steel, 1/8" aluminum. I got it because it was a very good price, barely used. Thermal arc and Hypotherm make rock solid units. Miller brand plasma cutters use I believe Hypotherm machines with their own brand of tip. If you look around, you'll see that these tend to be the units that work when they are shipped to your door, they tend to work non-stop for years, and they don't need much service other than tips/ consumables, which are easy to find at local welding supply houses.Are threre others to consider?? Not when money is this tight.....And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:Thanks for all the great info.  I am a hobbyist so the 3/4 to one inch capability will be outside my project level for the near future.  Yes, I have been searching on craigslist and Ebay and that is why I asked about the brand names that are unique to me.  I would like to find a unit less than a grand?I have a Lincoln Pro Mig 180 and am having fun using up miles of wire as I learn the ropes of the mig world.  John