Table of Contents
The 8 Best Plasma Cutters: Hypertherm Powermax30 Plasma Cutter – Best Overall. Hobart Airforce 40i 240V Plasma Cutter. Lotos LTP5000D Plasma Cutter – Best Value. Miller Spectrum 625 X-treme Plasma Cutter. Forney Easy Weld 251 Plasma Cutter. PRIMEWELD CUT50 Portable Plasma Cutter. SUNGOLDPOWER 50A Plasma Cutter.
What should I look for when buying a plasma cutter?
10 Things to Consider when Choosing a Plasma Cutter Air compressor. Plasma cutters need compressed air to create the plasma, this can either be provided by a built-in air compressor or an external compressed air supply. Reliability. Pilot Arc. Voltage. Cut Rating. Duty Cycle. Weight. Cut Quality.
Are plasma cutters worth it?
Plasma cutters also cut quickly and efficiently. Plasma equipment is considered to be better value for money, as well. Plasma torches are low-maintenance, rarely requiring replacement. Plasma cutting also relies on inert gases, making it much safer to use than oxygen-based cutting.
What are the two types of plasma cutters?
What Are the Different Types of Plasma Cutters Used on CNC Tables? Air Plasma. Air plasma tables are ideal for low-volume manufacturing and are often used on entry level steel fabrication machines. Oxygen Plasma. High-Definition Plasma. CNC Plasma Cutters. The Leader in Automated CNC Plasma Cutting Machines.
How thick of metal can a 50 amp plasma cutter cut?
Excellent Air Plasma Cutter: The Cut-50 Plasma Cutter can easily cut up to 0.55”(14 mm) metal under maximum output with ultimate portability weighing only 21.56 lbs.
Is a plasma cutter better than a torch?
Plasma does not require the metal to be preheated before cutting, which saves time, and plasma cutters also outperform oxy-fuel torches when cutting stacked metals. Faster speeds can be achieved on thinner metals with plasma, with minimal or no metal distortion.
Is it expensive to run a plasma cutter?
Low Operating Costs CNC Plasma cutters tend to cost around $15/hour to maintain. CNC Lasers are just slightly higher at $20/hour. And CNC waterjets usually come in at the most expensive – $30/hour.
Will a plasma cutter cut rusty metal?
Plasma can cut any electrically conductive metal including stainless steel, mild steel, aluminum and more, without pre-heating. Plasma is also great at cutting painted, dirty or even rusted metal.
What is the best DIY plasma cutter?
The 8 Best Plasma Cutters: Hypertherm Powermax30 Plasma Cutter – Best Overall. Hobart Airforce 40i 240V Plasma Cutter. Lotos LTP5000D Plasma Cutter – Best Value. Miller Spectrum 625 X-treme Plasma Cutter. Forney Easy Weld 251 Plasma Cutter. PRIMEWELD CUT50 Portable Plasma Cutter. SUNGOLDPOWER 50A Plasma Cutter.
Do all plasma cutters need air compressor?
Plasma cutters need air pressure to cut in a two-stage process. Therefore, all plasma cutters need an air compressor to generate enough air pressure for the task. If you buy a plasma cutter without a built-in source of air, you’ll need a separate air compressor.
What is no touch plasma cutter?
NON-TOUCH PILOT ARC PLASMA CUTTER: efficiently cuts though rough, painted, and rusty surfaces and produces minimal slag. Pilot arc technology allows you to cut without touching the tip to the metal. Better cutting quality and longer consumable life. Uses non-hazardous compressed air to cut, safe and at low cost.
Do plasma cutters need gas?
Gas is needed for a plasma cutter in order for it to work and create the plasma. As mentioned, the most popular gases to use are oxygen, nitrogen or argon. Nitrogen is the best choice when it comes to cutting aluminium and stainless steel and it can provide an excellent cut quality.
Can you plasma cut galvanized steel?
Cutting any metal produces fumes and gases, and breathing them can create health hazards. When cutting coated metals – such as galvanized steel, lead- or cadmium-plated steel – remove the coating from the cutting area if possible.
How close should a plasma cutter be?
To do this, position the plasma torch by the edge of the work before starting the arc so you can get right to cutting. Optimally, you should maintain a 3/16″ to 1/8″ distance from the nozzle to the work.
Can you plasma cut Aluminium?
Plasma cutting can be performed on any type of conductive metal – mild steel, aluminum and stainless are some examples. Plasma cutting, however, does not rely on oxidation to work, and thus it can cut aluminum, stainless and any other conductive material.
What cuts better than a plasma cutter?
Plasma Cutters might have the precision, but power goes to Oxy Acetylene. It should be noted that each process has different material type limitations, but most experts will still agree Oxy Acetylene can cut a lot more than Plasma.
Can I weld with a plasma cutter?
With the right torch design, a nitrogen-water injection, less expensive than other gases, can work well when plasma cutting aluminum and stainless material for subsequent welding. The process involves an electrode surrounded by nitrogen, which is heated by an electric arc to form the plasma.
Which is better plasma cutter or oxy acetylene?
Cutting precision: Plasma typically cuts quickly and with minimal slag, providing smooth cuts with a narrower kerf than what’s produced by oxy-fuel torches. Faster speeds on thinner metals: Plasma can cut thinner metals faster than oxy-fuel can, and with minimal or no metal distortion.
What does a plasma table cost?
Depending on its size and features, a plasma CNC cutting table can cost between 12,000 and $300,000.
What is the difference between a laser cutter and a plasma cutter?
Laser cutting is a precise thermal cutting process, utilizing a focused beam of light. Plasma cutting, on the other hand, uses a mixture of gases in order to form a cut. With our high definition plasma cutting equipment, we are able to perform bevel cuts on parts as required.
Can plasma cutters cut wood?
Virtually any metal can be plasma cut including steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, copper, etc. Plastics and wood are not electrically conductive and cannot be plasma cut. However, you can use a rotary saw, router, or other tool if you want to cut these materials in the PlasmaCAM machine.