Should I buy a plasma cutter....?

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Hello All!  So it's been a few years since I've done any welding, but I'm finally getting around to restoring my fathers first car, a 1955 Chevy. I went out and bought myself a beautiful new Miller 211 and Digital Elite Helmet, and now I'm trying to figure out where to spend the remainder of my tool budget. As of now, I'm well equipped with general mechanics tools, oxy/acet torches, a good 4" electric grinder, 60 gal compressor, but not so well equipped with fabrication tools. The biggest thing that I think I'm lacking is a good method for cutting steel components accurately without making a mess. I know I've got the torches, but those seem to lack the precision necessary when fitting body panels.So my question is, should I burn up the remainder of my budget on a decent plasma cutter, or would I be better off spending that money on other things such as a chop saw, bandsaw, etc...?  I'm working with around $800+/-Keep in mind, while my primary objective is to restore the 55, I will surely take on other welding projects. First of which will be building a nice welding cart. Thanks! Chris
Reply:Plasma is a luxury in my opinion.Fitting body panels is more acurate with a thin cutoff wheel on a 4.5" grinder in my opinion.Don't get me wrong, I like my plasma just fine, but it's likely my least used tool.Chop saw/band saw gets used more for me.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Cutting body panels is best done with a pneumatic body saw or nibbler.  No heat distortion.   OA can be very presice.  Is operator ability not the torch.Tiger 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:Only 2 plasma cutters even close to that dollar figure I would recommend would be a Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 42 ~ $1000 or a Hypertherm Powermax 30 ~ $1400.
Reply:I found a miller spectrum 375 Xtreme in like new condition for $1000obo locally. It seems like a good deal on a handy device, but I'm not sure if it's worth making that kind of investment right now. I currently don't have an efficient method to cut steel stock or sheet metal.
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawCutting body panels is best done with a pneumatic body saw or nibbler.  No heat distortion.   OA can be very presice.  Is operator ability not the torch.
Reply:Originally Posted by gunrush128I found a miller spectrum 375 Xtreme in like new condition for $1000obo locally. It seems like a good deal on a handy device, but I'm not sure if it's worth making that kind of investment right now. I currently don't have an efficient method to cut steel stock or sheet metal.
Reply:Buy a grinder with cut-of wheels, and a metal cutting skilsaw....
Reply:Originally Posted by gunrush128I found a miller spectrum 375 Xtreme in like new condition for $1000obo locally. It seems like a good deal on a handy device, but I'm not sure if it's worth making that kind of investment right now. I currently don't have an efficient method to cut steel stock or sheet metal.
Reply:The Powermax 30  or Powermax30XP are very good cutters for removing rusty floor panels, exhaust systems, etc. They also work very well (with some operator expertise) at removing body panel spot welds. The key to thi is the ability to drag cut and operate at low power levels (20 amps or less). The problem is that $800 will not buy a new plasma that will work well.....there are a lot of low cost imports, but I would stay away from them.The Miller would do a good job. I have seen a few Powermax30's on Craigslist in the $600 range.Jim
Reply:Personally, I would go with the sheet metal nibbler, cut off wheels, body saw, chop saw, band saw, etc. before considering the plasma cutter.  I have all of the above mentioned and my plasma gets used the least although it cost the most.  The plasma cutter is very nice, does its job well, but what I would consider a luxury tool.  When and if you do decide to purchase a plasma cutter, save up the extra dough and buy enough machine so at a later date you are not having to upgrade to a larger output unit.  Good luck.A few of my toys !LinuxMintManjaroMiller Roughneck 2E Lincoln WeldPak 100HTP MTS 160 Chicago Electric 80amp Inverter   Victor O/A
Reply:I tend to agree that If you are doing automotive restorations that a sheet metal nibbler, cut off wheels, body saw, chop saw...and a set of oxy-fuel torches should be in your tool box before a plasma cutter. Not in agreement on a band saw as a decent one will set you back as much as a plasma and won't do nearly as much work......unless you are going to use it for woodworking as well.Jim Colt Originally Posted by smawgmawPersonally, I would go with the sheet metal nibbler, cut off wheels, body saw, chop saw, band saw, etc. before considering the plasma cutter.  I have all of the above mentioned and my plasma gets used the least although it cost the most.  The plasma cutter is very nice, does its job well, but what I would consider a luxury tool.  When and if you do decide to purchase a plasma cutter, save up the extra dough and buy enough machine so at a later date you are not having to upgrade to a larger output unit.  Good luck.
Reply:Thanks for all the input guys! You've talked me down from the ledge. Looks like I'll be shopping for some more air tools!
Reply:Originally Posted by gunrush128Thanks for all the input guys! You've talked me down from the ledge. Looks like I'll be shopping for some more air tools!
Reply:To tell you the Truth, the Aircut 15c is a awesome auto-body unit. Cuts through .250 decent. Way better then any Newer/older Miller/Hobart/ Hypertherm/Esab models.Used them all. Consumable life is excellent too. 8 thousands kerf on average. That's 1/8 MS too.. New are about $900.00, but I bought a New/ Old stock one for a bit over $400.00  I agree that most built in air models suck hind tit, but the Air-cut at 15 amps output is impressive in what it will cut cleanly. The other ones really are limited by a extremely low duty-cycle. (Real world), and the Thermal is way beyond the other machines..Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:I would save the money for the restoration.  I was looking at buying a 55 chevy 2 door hardtop and I must say.... they are mighty proud of the reproduction steel body panels.  I am not a body guy by any means. I have cut and welded on a few cars in the past and even with a plasma cutter next to me ready to go, I have always used a cut off wheel on a grinder. Thats what I used when I choped the top on my 37 ford and thats what i'm using to put new floors in my buddies 49 ford pick up. To me it just seems like I have a little more control with a cut off wheel.
Reply:I have the air nibbler from HFT.  it works pretty well. their air body saws are junk.  get a quality brand of air body saw.   IR, or one of the tool truck brands.   check the pawn shops, they usually have a pretty good selection cheap and you can always deal them down a few bucks.   esp if you buy more than one item and pay cash...Tiger 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:Agreed on the saws, wheels, nibblers and snips for sheet metal work. Another thing to note is that is you can prematurely wear the blade on your nibbler or snips in short order trying to go back and snip or nibble the hardened edge that the plasma inherently creates. You might as well cut the big cuts with a nibbler or power shear, then notch and cope with a cut-off wheel or hand snips. In some instances such as cutting out floor pans that are just going to be welded in place, plasma and a straight or template edge could be a good call, but for edges that are going to be fit, cut then fit again, I would stick with blades of some type to do the cutting, be it cut-off tool, nibbler, power shear, aviation snips etc..2c-Niche
Reply:Don't forget the Sawzall.Tiger 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:I would wait till you start work and then see what you need as you go.12v battery, jumper cables, and a 6013.I only have a facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/VPT/244788508917829
Reply:Thanks for all the advice. I kinda figured that my money would be better spent elsewhere. On the topic of air tools, are some brands more efficient than others? Meaning cfm consumption? I'm running a devilbiss pro4000 60gal compressor at the moment, so I was wondering if say a HFT DA sander would hog more air than a $100 DA sander
Reply:Look at the specs, should tell you the CFM requrements of most tools.  ALTHOUGH THEY MOSTLY LIE ABOUT ITLast edited by farmersamm; 10-29-2014 at 11:01 AM."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/