Plasma Cutter-Good investment or not essential?

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I have a project I'll be working on that someone else had made and I have a feeling an angle grinder just one cut it.Having a plasma cutter would make things so much easier, but I'm on the fence.What do you guys think, is the expense of a plasma cutter worth it in the long run?Here's an example of the project I want to do.https://imgur.com/a/vAnXSLast edited by Dazman; 04-08-2018 at 11:28 PM.
Reply:What are you cutting ? That square tubing mostly ?  What type of projects do you plan on doing ?
Reply:The square tubing and flat metal.  As for other projects, I haven't thought that far a head yet other than a stand for my stereo components.
Reply:I generally use my plasma cutter for sheet goods. If I have a just a few cuts to make I'll use a cut off disk on a grinder. I'll use the bandsaw if I've got a lot of square tube or barstock to cut, mainly because coolant gets expensive on a fixed income.Since I bought the plasma cutter I only use my torch to bend stuff, so it's saved me a bit on oxy/acetylene.
Reply:I don’t own a bandsaw, but I do have an angle grinder and cold cut saw.
Reply:Looking at my post I meant to say “a grinder just won’t cut it”.  Also, the picture is from a forum and I want to copy the design.  I haven’t started it yet.
Reply:If you work with a substantial amount of sheet, it's a must.Options are out there like jigsaws, hand shears and die grinders with carbides but an example is my Milwaukee 10 ga nibbler. The thing is over a grand new and you're all done at 10 - 12 ga. Even a 30 amp class plasma will let you play with up to 3/8" plate or so and leave a very fine cut once you're comfortable with it. A collection of "molds' all but eliminates hole saws and leaves the possibility of many shapes like squares, ovals, triangles, rectangles, arcs(like an adjustment on an alternator bracket).You can all but trash hole saws which is a huge blessing itself ! Creativity will allow jigs for notching pipe, bevel cuts, gouging. Then there is cnc down the road. You can't beat plasma as long as the wallet  can handle it.......and a decent air system(or get a 30XP air---onboard compressor)
Reply:I had my eye on the 30xp then started to think I should go a bit better and get the 45xp. Bit of a price jump though.
Reply:

Originally Posted by Dazman

I had my eye on the 30xp then started to think I should go a bit better and get the 45xp. Bit of a price jump though.
Reply:I think your money would be better spent on a portaband since you don't already own one.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:I was going to hold off on my purchase, but the Hypertherm’s are priced well at the moment.
Reply:A plasma cutter is a must for every shop!Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:

Originally Posted by Bonzoo

Serious price jump since you'll need a good air system if you don't have one. If you do have one you'll probably need to add a couple of goodies inline to keep the air clean and dry
Reply:Plasma cutter has its place for sure along with other tools. A bandsaw would be my first choice. A portaband saw is handy. Having one setup vertical on a stand is great for cutting small pieces. I use mine all the time for artwork. I couldn't be without it.  A handheld one is great for angle, tubing, pipe, channel, and flatstock.You can almost cut anything with it.  A horizontal band saw allows you to do something else while material is being cut. No doubt a bandsaw would be my first priority. After the first one you'll buy another. One in stand and one for handheld. Check Craigslist for used ones. My first Milwaukee one was before they had the deep throat ones. Still going today 30 years later.
Reply:Hand held porta band saws have a learning curve like any tool.  It takes a minute to figure out how to follow and cut on a strait line.  Well it did for me any way.  A plasma is an expensive tool and if you are not going to be using it enough to justify the purchase the money it cost can go a long way for other tools/projects.Lincoln, ESAB, Thermal Dynamics, Victor, Miller, Dewalt, Makita, Kalamzoo.  Hand tools, power tools, welding and cutting tools.
Reply:Well maybe I should try a grinder with 1mm cut off wheels.  I already have cold cut and abrasive saws
Reply:If I was to buy a new Plasma it would be an 45XP however since I have a used 40 amp plasma cutter I think the cost of a new 45XP would be better spent on a Good used Metal lathe.  .02¢Lincoln, ESAB, Thermal Dynamics, Victor, Miller, Dewalt, Makita, Kalamzoo.  Hand tools, power tools, welding and cutting tools.
Reply:

Originally Posted by Dazman

I have a project I'll be working on that someone else had made and I have a feeling an angle grinder just one cut it.Having a plasma cutter would make things so much easier, but I'm on the fence.What do you guys think, is the expense of a plasma cutter worth it in the long run?Here's an example of the project I want to do.https://imgur.com/a/vAnXS
Reply:I have a cold cut saw and an abrasive saw.
Reply:

Originally Posted by Dazman

I have a cold cut saw and an abrasive saw.
Reply:Everyone needs a plasma cutter, I think that was a rule somewhere in metalworking 101. It was right behind a bandsaw and "bigger is better". If you have the cash don't worry about cost, Hypertherm holds its value pretty well if they are not beat up. If you decide you don't need it anymore you can always get some money back out of it. My 45xp is already on order.ESAB Rebels 215 and 235, ESAB HELIARC 281i, ESAB ET 301i, Hypertherm 85 and 45XP, Thermal Arc 185, TD 60i, HTP PRO PULSE 300
Reply:i just bought a cheap ebay plasma cutter for under $200, and i have to say, while it is not going to replace any of my saws or grinders, it made me wonder why the hell i screwed around with an o-a torch for so many years! i got it for sheet metal, and while is cliams to cut up to 1/2", i wouldnt trust using it on anyhing much thicker than sheet metal. if you plan on doing 1/4" and over, id say get a better one, but for sheet work, imo, this dirt cheap machine cant be beat.
Reply:You raise a good point. An OA torch set up would be a much better investment.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:A plasma cutter is a great tool. I have had a Hypertherm for over 20 years and every year it gets more use. It used to be strictly for hand cutting with a guide or freehand. Now I have it hooked to a CNC, or I can freehand, or gouge. I rarely use my OA anymore except for bending. My question is, how can you not have one?
Reply:Milwaukee portaband and call it a day."You can't out puke a buzzard"

Originally Posted by Dazman

Well maybe I should try a grinder with 1mm cut off wheels.  I already have cold cut and abrasive saws
Reply:If most of your work is with tube, angle, etc., a horizontal band saw is much more important. If most of your work is with sheet, then plasma will be more important. I fall into the first category an should have bought a band saw much sooner. The small notches in stick material can be done with a cut off wheel or sawzall.Actually, I got my miller 375 extreme plasma before the femi 120abs band saw. The plasma has been great for small work. After my dad and I built a cnc plasma table, I used the miller for the table. It sucks, and we got a hypertherm 65 for the table. I use the table all the time.Hand held plasma is not nearly accurate enough for many of the projects I do, but I also suck at doing hand cuts. It doesn't replace annular cutters, or a mill/drill. It works well for gouging out welds or old parts and also rough cutting material. It works for taking the bulk out of something and cleaning it up with a grinder. For cutting stick material to length, a band saw is far better, unless you are just slapping crap together and don't care about fit up and looks. Much of my work required good fit up and good looks.Abrasive saws are horrible and aluminum can be easily cut on a miter saw or with a circular saw. For cutting steel and other hard metals, a band saw is very accurate and cuts easily with little waste and no sparks. Even a cheap band saw beats abrasive, cut off wheels, or a sawzall.Just like with welders, bigger is often better with plasma. What might you get into a few years down the road? Even a small cnc plasma table could come in very handy. While much of what I cut on the table is from 1/8" and under, it is great to be able to throw a small sheet of heavier material on the table and make a needed part.........same goes for hand cutting. It comes down to what you can afford and must have. While the 375 plasma will work on 120v, it is quite limited and I almost always use it on 240v. Same goes for my mig welder, but the miller 211 inverter mig is much better than the 375 plasma. Hypertherm is the way to go for plasma.You can get a motorguard m-30 filter that take paper elements (looks like a toilet paper roll) and use that right before the plasma cutter. Use a regular 5 micron water separator before the motorguard to get the bulk of water. Plasma doesn't take a huge amount of air, especially with hand cutting smaller jobs. The hypertherm 65 required around 7 cfm. The little miller 375 worked fine off my porter cable suitcase style compressor (one of the bigger finish/portable compressors at maybe 4.5 cfm at 90).Miller 330abpMiller 211 inverter, M150 spool gunMiller 135Miller 375 Extreme plasmaCNC plasma table (build in progress)Femi 120abs portable band sawMany other toolsToo little garage spaceNot enough money
Reply:I’m not sure what I will get into down the road.  I have some strips of plate I need for a project and I would hate to have to order all my metal precut. I know I can cut one side of square metal tubing using a grinder, but I hate using the grinder for cutting.As for a bandsaw, I saw a YouTube video of a guy making one into a vertical band saw that was cool.  I’m limited on space as well.In the end I think a plasma cutter can give me some straight edges providing I’m using a guide.  In the end the plasma seems more versatile.
Reply:

Originally Posted by CGT80

If most of your work is with tube, angle, etc., a horizontal band saw is much more important. If most of your work is with sheet, then plasma will be more important. I fall into the first category an should have bought a band saw much sooner. The small notches in stick material can be done with a cut off wheel or sawzall.Actually, I got my miller 375 extreme plasma before the femi 120abs band saw. The plasma has been great for small work. After my dad and I built a cnc plasma table, I used the miller for the table. It sucks, and we got a hypertherm 65 for the table. I use the table all the time.Hand held plasma is not nearly accurate enough for many of the projects I do, but I also suck at doing hand cuts. It doesn't replace annular cutters, or a mill/drill. It works well for gouging out welds or old parts and also rough cutting material. It works for taking the bulk out of something and cleaning it up with a grinder. For cutting stick material to length, a band saw is far better, unless you are just slapping crap together and don't care about fit up and looks. Much of my work required good fit up and good looks.Abrasive saws are horrible and aluminum can be easily cut on a miter saw or with a circular saw. For cutting steel and other hard metals, a band saw is very accurate and cuts easily with little waste and no sparks. Even a cheap band saw beats abrasive, cut off wheels, or a sawzall.Just like with welders, bigger is often better with plasma. What might you get into a few years down the road? Even a small cnc plasma table could come in very handy. While much of what I cut on the table is from 1/8" and under, it is great to be able to throw a small sheet of heavier material on the table and make a needed part.........same goes for hand cutting. It comes down to what you can afford and must have. While the 375 plasma will work on 120v, it is quite limited and I almost always use it on 240v. Same goes for my mig welder, but the miller 211 inverter mig is much better than the 375 plasma. Hypertherm is the way to go for plasma.You can get a motorguard m-30 filter that take paper elements (looks like a toilet paper roll) and use that right before the plasma cutter. Use a regular 5 micron water separator before the motorguard to get the bulk of water. Plasma doesn't take a huge amount of air, especially with hand cutting smaller jobs. The hypertherm 65 required around 7 cfm. The little miller 375 worked fine off my porter cable suitcase style compressor (one of the bigger finish/portable compressors at maybe 4.5 cfm at 90).
Reply:

Originally Posted by CGT80

If most of your work is with tube, angle, etc., a horizontal band saw is much more important. If most of your work is with sheet, then plasma will be more important. I fall into the first category an should have bought a band saw much sooner. The small notches in stick material can be done with a cut off wheel or sawzall.Actually, I got my miller 375 extreme plasma before the femi 120abs band saw. The plasma has been great for small work. After my dad and I built a cnc plasma table, I used the miller for the table. It sucks, and we got a hypertherm 65 for the table. I use the table all the time.Hand held plasma is not nearly accurate enough for many of the projects I do, but I also suck at doing hand cuts. It doesn't replace annular cutters, or a mill/drill. It works well for gouging out welds or old parts and also rough cutting material. It works for taking the bulk out of something and cleaning it up with a grinder. For cutting stick material to length, a band saw is far better, unless you are just slapping crap together and don't care about fit up and looks. Much of my work required good fit up and good looks.Abrasive saws are horrible and aluminum can be easily cut on a miter saw or with a circular saw. For cutting steel and other hard metals, a band saw is very accurate and cuts easily with little waste and no sparks. Even a cheap band saw beats abrasive, cut off wheels, or a sawzall.Just like with welders, bigger is often better with plasma. What might you get into a few years down the road? Even a small cnc plasma table could come in very handy. While much of what I cut on the table is from 1/8" and under, it is great to be able to throw a small sheet of heavier material on the table and make a needed part.........same goes for hand cutting. It comes down to what you can afford and must have. While the 375 plasma will work on 120v, it is quite limited and I almost always use it on 240v. Same goes for my mig welder, but the miller 211 inverter mig is much better than the 375 plasma. Hypertherm is the way to go for plasma.You can get a motorguard m-30 filter that take paper elements (looks like a toilet paper roll) and use that right before the plasma cutter. Use a regular 5 micron water separator before the motorguard to get the bulk of water. Plasma doesn't take a huge amount of air, especially with hand cutting smaller jobs. The hypertherm 65 required around 7 cfm. The little miller 375 worked fine off my porter cable suitcase style compressor (one of the bigger finish/portable compressors at maybe 4.5 cfm at 90).
Reply:Plasma for some great But can tool that sits in shop too and try find for plasmaThe photo you show can be done with cutting torch or hand grinder Bottom line if money and space buy itIf do not have the money or space do not buyGood luck Dave

Originally Posted by Dazman

I have a project I'll be working on that someone else had made and I have a feeling an angle grinder just one cut it.Having a plasma cutter would make things so much easier, but I'm on the fence.What do you guys think, is the expense of a plasma cutter worth it in the long run?Here's an example of the project I want to do.https://imgur.com/a/vAnXS
Reply:

Originally Posted by Dazman

Was it expensive to build the CNC table?
Reply:Personally I haven't touched our plasma torch in a couple of years. I've got a 9" Metal Devil circular saw that I love better. Cuts fast, and doesn't smoke up the shop.
Reply:Well I went and bought the Hypertherm 45XP and time will tell if I made the right decision.
Reply:You’ll love having it.Lincoln, ESAB, Thermal Dynamics, Victor, Miller, Dewalt, Makita, Kalamzoo.  Hand tools, power tools, welding and cutting tools.
Reply:A plasma is great for erasing bolt heads when taking stuff apart.