To plasma or not to plasma

[MercMan1951]

I need all of your opinions/experience here...

I got tired of burning thru 7" cutoff discs on my grinder and sawzall blades on my cordless sawzall, and opted to buy a "Firepower FP-18" plasma cutter from Thermal Dynamics. It's a small, light duty Plasma cutter with an on-board air compressor and runs off 120 volts. I was so excited to get it, and lance out the floorbords of my Merc. Well, I got it and tried it out on some virgin sheetmetal...i.e., no rust or paint...about 18 gauge....anyways, it won't even cut throught that cleanly, let alone anything with paint or rust.

I've decided to send it back, and get my $595.00 back, but my question to all of you is, have you had any experience with a GOOD plasma, something that can cut through rusty old metal like butter? I realize that $600 bucks isn't much to pay for a plasma cutter, but I thought that given the specs and what I intended to do with it, I should have been set. This thing would only be good for someone doing real light work (like 20-22 gauge sheetmetal cutting), not the advertised 1/8th inch. I don't wanna spend more than $1200 at this point. I have 220 in the garage, but my air compressor uses it and I've heard that some plasma's require a compressor to run, in addition to taking 220 to supply power to it...any ideas????

Thanks Guys-
MercMan

[lefturn]

i just finished cutin up my 49 merc this week . took out the entire floor pan for the olds swap with a plasma. works great. here is mine

[photo phantom]

I promise I'm not trying to be a smart ass.
Did you make sure your ground wire is hooked up good? (INTERNALLY)
With a bad ground, the only thing your torch will do is splatter and piss.
Just a thought.

[Shiva69]

there has been alot of good press on here about this particular plasma cutter

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2556391794&category=45 030

Garth

[Tinbender]

I've got a Thermal Dynamics 25. Works great. It's 110 uses 50 psi air. I'd check your settings, ground ect, before you take it back. It should work good, and Thermal Dynamics has a good reputation.

[CharlieLed]

I have a Smith 55T, it's way more than I need but it works great. I have the same issue with the 220, one plug for the plasma and another for the compressor. I went to the Home Depot and bought a heavy duty dryer cord and two outlet boxes. I wired the boxes in parallel with the dryer cord as a pigtail to plug into the wall. Now I can plug in my plasma cutter or my MIG welder without having to unplug my compressor. Oh by the way, they don't make Smith cutters anymore, bought out by Hobart or somebody like that. My unit retailed for $2,400 but I picked it up unused on ebay for $1,250. Tips and other accessories are still readily available. Good Luck...

[daddylama]

ive used the little firepower fp-18...
was great on thin (20ga.) clean sheet... horrible on anything with rust, paint, or thicker than 16ga.

really disapointed cause im a fan of Therman Dynamics' products otherwise.

for my money, i'd rather just get a Henrob (Dillon) torch... oxy/acetelene, cuts thin stuff very cleanly. welds nicely, too. Think they're something like $400 new.
Doesent cut AS cleanly as a high-end plasma, but MUCH better than normal torches...

[slazzen]

I have a miller mine dont have a internal air comp. but it cost me around $1100 it cut up to 1/4 plate I have done it even on rust and paint it go`s slow through something that thick but sheet metal it cuts like butter it wont cut sqaut if the ground is not good though

[yorgatron]

what's the matter with a good oxy/acetylene rig? it'll do a lot more than just cut metal,you can weld,braze, AND cut,and a rosebud tip can be mighty handy for those small blacksmith jobs.lots cheaper than a plasma too-george

[MercMan1951]

Oh, I have a good ground alright. I even sanded the area of the clean looking metal to get exceptional contact...the darn thing just won't cut it.

Seems 'ol 55 experienced the same issues as me with the same unit.


I have a set of brand new torches, as a matter of fact...it's just that for the amount of cutting and the neatness I need, they won't work well...plus they throw sparks EVERYWHERE and I am working in some tight spaces.

I like your idea Charlie about the pigtail...

Thanks for the tips and info on your machines...guess the hunt is on now for something different... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[TexasHardcore]

My plasma cutter kicks ass. It's a Hypertherm MAX40, Single Phase, 40V. Cuts through 5/8" thick steel at 50% duty cycle. After setting my air pressure and voltage, it cut through my floorboards like butter, cleanly. My floor was bare rusted metal, the ground connection was rusty and it didn't make a shit. It cut like it knew what it was supposed to do. It's a BIG hefty sumbitch, but it don't take no shit from no stinkin' metal.

[AHotRod]

I use the good old original "blue wrench"...a torch!

[40StudeDude]

Thermal Dynamics Pak Master 25 here...cuts 1/8 inch (and thinner) like a hot knife thru butter without a problem...1/4 inch takes two passes...cuts rusted stuff with a good ground...uses 110 house current and about 50 psi of air...makes nice clean little 1/16" cuts with a new tip...wouldn't trade it for 10 torches...and works well in tite areas with minimal "splash"...
R-

[36-3window]

i ahve aa Astrpolasma 250 that i bought about 10 years ago for $400 new. it's made in Italy by the same people that make them for Daytona Mig...so i can get parts from them.it works fine,i cut 3/16" all the time.there must be something wrong with the one you got...greg

[Deuce Rails]

[ QUOTE ]
what's the matter with a good oxy/acetylene rig? it'll do a lot more than just cut metal,you can weld,braze, AND cut,and a rosebud tip can be mighty handy for those small blacksmith jobs.lots cheaper than a plasma too-george

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree. If you think that your current setup sparks too much get a henrob. It'll spark a lot less than a plasma cutter. Plus it'll satisfy your new-tool-lust. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[CharlieLed]

Here's a pic of the 220 pigtail...

[MercMan1951]

Again, thanks for all the input guys...thanks Charlie for the pic!

Mercman http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[MercMan1951]

Deuce,

I went to the Henrob website (http://www.cut-like-plasma.com/) and checked on it...looks VERY tempting, especially after viewing the streaming demo videos...can do so much more than just a Plasma...and it fits my budget.

Do you hvae one of these setups? You like it?

MercMan

[Deuce Rails]

[ QUOTE ]
Do you hvae one of these setups? You like it?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes I do have one, and I do like it a lot.

Henrob makes a big deal about getting both the oxygen and the acetylene at 4 psi (for welding). I don't think that it matters a lot: the important thing is to get a completely neutral flame. At those pressures, it's easier to get the flame just right.


I really like the various size tips. You can do almost anything with them. Something like five tips are included, plus an extra cutting tip.

The cutting attachments are excellent. They also include a nice adjustable guide. And there's a trigger for turning on the burst of oxygen at the right time. You won't get the sparks you were talking about.

I also noticed that when I was at Wyotech this past weekend that all of the oxy-acetylene outfits (maybe 25) were fitted with Henrobs, or maybe they were the identical old Dillons.

Here's a recent HAMB link about the Henrob. (http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB1&Number=152783&Forum=U BB1&Words=henrob&Match=Entire%20Phrase&Searchpage= 0&Limit=25&Old=1week&Main=152783&Search=true#Post1 52783)

The cutting through steel really is awesome.

--Matt

[Steve]

you want plasma? this is my favorite plasma http://c3po.barnesos.net/homepage/lpl/grapeplasma/

[CharlieLed]

[ QUOTE ]
you want plasma? this is my favorite plasma http://c3po.barnesos.net/homepage/lpl/grapeplasma/

[/ QUOTE ]

Steve, you need a life! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[MercMan1951]

Deuce,

I went ahead and ordered the Henrob 2000 (to all that was contributed about their plasmas, I really do appreciate the input) after viewing their online demos, (and thinking about what I already had/needed), I was hooked...and it fit my price range and need for a new tool http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif I ordered up the whole setup, and it should be here by next Monday. Can't beat the $350.00 price! The gurl with the southern accent & their refund policy helped to seal the deal http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif So, I'll let you all know what I think after I try it, but I think it will fit my needs. Understand, that after I get some floor area cut away, I have no further need for something as pricey as a plasma. I don't have a rod shop. Plus, I have bills to pay, and a house to sell (for a bigger one that has a pole barn, yadda, yadda, yadda...)

Thatks again for all your input, I'll let 'cha know how it goes...