Plasma cutting vs. O/A, What's better?

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I'm looking into renting some Oxy/Propylene or O/A bottles from Airgas, but i've been thinking about a plasma cutter also. I've read mixed reviews and i'm not too sure what to go with. I've read that plasma is much faster, safer and easier to use so i'm leaning towards that. I don't have any experience with either of them so i'm just trying to get a feel of what would be the better of the two for a beginner. I wouldn't be cutting anything over 1", just for home projects until I get into school in January, probably just building some window security bars, a welding table and few other small projects. Also what do you think of Propylene instead of Acetylene?"Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the American people's Liberty, Teeth, and Keystone under Independence." - George Washington
Reply:OA or oxypropane are much more versatile to have.  You can use it to cut and heat stuff, and to weld (OA only here).  Plasma is faster with much nicer cuts, especially for a beginner.  There are people on this forum that can mae cuts comparable to plasma with a torch, im not one of them.  You can also cut non ferrous metals and SS with it.  No tanks to fill.  So they both as pro's and cons.  If you can only have one, go with the OA/OP.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255OA or oxypropane are much more versatile to have.  You can use it to cut and heat stuff, and to weld (OA only here).  Plasma is faster with much nicer cuts, especially for a beginner.  There are people on this forum that can mae cuts comparable to plasma with a torch, im not one of them.  You can also cut non ferrous metals and SS with it.  No tanks to fill.  So they both as pro's and cons.  If you can only have one, go with the OA/OP.
Reply:Here's a gas chart with comparisons of gasses. Attached ImagesLast edited by Jeromy_E; 10-23-2012 at 06:30 AM."Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the American people's Liberty, Teeth, and Keystone under Independence." - George Washington
Reply:For general cutting a plasma is great. You can get set up cheaper with a o/a rig I have a better "feel" with o/a meaning I can cut nuts of bolts and bearings off shafts cleaner with out damage. But I have only had the plasma for a few months. A buddy of mine worked in a shop where the did all o/a welding with propelene and loved it.Millermatic 252millermatic 175miller 300 Thunderboltlincoln ranger 250smith torcheslots of bfh'sIf it dont fit get a bigger hammer
Reply:That chart looks like it's made up by someone who is trying to push propylene. Each gas has good and bad points. Acet is still the standard against which all are judged however. As far as the "explosiveness" of any fuel gas, common sense goes a long ways as far as safety. Always close the valves when done and make sure there aren't any leaks in the fittings. Don't store flammable gasses in enclosed spaces if at all possible.Plasma has a few down sides as well. You need a decent sized air compressor to keep up with the plasma. Usually that means a 230v 60+ gal compressor. Plasma needs dry air. You will want to add on at least a decent filter like the Motorcrafts or some sort of desiccant or refrigerated dryer to get the best cut quality and consumable life. Also keep in mind most plasmas will need 230v power if they are any decent. Cheap 110v units are pretty much worthless.I'd personally avoid that cheap plasma. Consumable life will be poor, and many of those cheap imports have poor quality control. DOA and machines that die after only a few hours of life are fairly common with cheap imports. It is difficult to get many places to want to repair them if there is a problem, and "waranty" service is usually a joke at best. Most of those sellers are almost imposible to contact if there are issues after the sale. If they do try to do any thing, you usually have to pay freight to send it back, and all they do is ship you another questionable unit.You would be better off either buying a good name brand used unit, Hypertherm, Thermal Dynamics, Essab etc... or saving your pennies and simply buying new. Hypertherm is probably the best plasmas on the market, and they are the only ones I'd look at if going new..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:Originally Posted by farmshopFor general cutting a plasma is great. You can get set up cheaper with a o/a rig I have a better "feel" with o/a meaning I can cut nuts of bolts and bearings off shafts cleaner with out damage. But I have only had the plasma for a few months. A buddy of mine worked in a shop where the did all o/a welding with propelene and loved it.
Reply:What are you planing on doing?   I have both.   I normally only use oxy-act for heating and beating instances.   If I am cutting I normally grab the plasma, I don't have to refill the bottles when I use it.  It's always full.Miller BobcatHarris cutting outfitMiller spectrum 625 plasmaVariety of shopmade tools
Reply:I would lean toward an O/A rig simply for teh versatility that it gives you. That said I rarely use mine for cutting unless it is rusty, dirty, or thick steel. I use my plasma regularly. Keep an eye on CL for an OA rig. They can be had regularly for $150 including tanks. I would then save my pennies for a plasma. i heartily recommend a Hypertherm. My little 600 regularly cuts 1/2", I have decent though slow cuts on 3/4, and can cut 1" slowly and a little on the rough side. I have also cut railroad track with it. It is the equivalent of the Hypertherm PM45
Reply:Originally Posted by jw3What are you planing on doing?   I have both.   I normally only use oxy-act for heating and beating instances.   If I am cutting I normally grab the plasma, I don't have to refill the bottles when I use it.  It's always full.
Reply:Jeromy,I have no experience with propelyne, so no comment.I know DSW said "stay away from cheap 110v plasmas", but i think he meant choose name brand plasmas.  I've got the Hypertherm Powermax 380, which is 110v and was cheap as everybody's upgrading.  Just stay with name brand stuff.Check into buying the O/A bottles, or at lest having your rent applied to ownership.  The way you're collecting tools it looks like you'll be doing this for a career And yea, you're gonna want both tools.Lincoln SA 200Esab Caddy 160Thermal Arc 201TSMiller Dialarc HFI don't like making plans for the day because then the word "premeditated" gets thrown around the courtroom....
Reply:Originally Posted by dubl_tJeromy,I have no experience with propelyne, so no comment.I know DSW said "stay away from cheap 110v plasmas", but i think he meant choose name brand plasmas.  I've got the Hypertherm Powermax 380, which is 110v and was cheap as everybody's upgrading.  Just stay with name brand stuff.Check into buying the O/A bottles, or at lest having your rent applied to ownership.  The way you're collecting tools it looks like you'll be doing this for a career And yea, you're gonna want both tools.
Reply:While the plasma is a great tool to have......if you are interested in eventually building up a well equipped metal fab shop....the Oxy-fuel system should be one of the first purchases. The advantages are numerous.....heating, welding, cutting, bending are all tasks that you can do with an Oxy-fuel torch setup. Plasma is just for cutting and gouging....and to be able to cut up to 1" will require (edge start only) at least 45 amps (a $2000 system) or an 85 amp system if you need to pierce 1".I have owned an oxy-fuel setup for 40 years. I still have the same set of torches in my shop.....and have added two plasma cnc machines (45 and 85 amps) as well as two hand held (30 and 60 amps) plasma systems....all Hypertherm of course!  Today I rarely use the oxy-fuel.......but if I was starting over equipping my shop I would still buy the oxy-fuel torch first.Jim Colt