I bought a Hypertherm machine a year ago used on Ebay for about $600.
It is probably half the advertised capacity of this one, and at the
time, I saw other unknown brands available. I went with a name after
learning how dependent they are on consumables (tips and other torch
innards) and chose a brand that would allow me to buy stuff at the local
welding supply store.
Great for cutting body panels, but you need to be careful about what's
behind. Throws a lot of sparks. The limited capacity of mine is enough
for my use, mostly car-like gauge steel and aluminum. Aluminum up to
.060 cuts great, but at about 1/8" the cut is ragged. Too much heat
dissipation, I think. Steel up to 1/8" is easy and clean, though.
That's as thick as I've used it for. I can use torches for heavier stuff.
If your convinced the machine and the supplier are reputable and
reliable, and you can easily obtain consumables (the torch might be an
off-the-shelf item) then that price would make it a very good deal.
I've read, though, that some Chinese units use substandard electronic
components that don't last. Research carefully, find other owners if
you can.
I have an inverter TIG and I am a big fan of that technology.
Jim
Linda Grunthaner wrote:
>List,
>I don't know very much about Plasma cutters but after seeing the videos on
>this eBay listing 120095107703 I have got to get one. Does anyone know how
>they work and what their limitations are for example when cutting how far
>behind the steel you are cutting will the cutter effect and what do you use
>behind the steel for cutting like distance before it will heat up the
>blacktop or concrete garage floor? Also could I cut out sections of Sprite
>rockers with it without cutting the walls behind the rockers? I also want
>this machine for cutting general steel for student projects at my school
>(I'm the shop teacher) because our building shop has classrooms above
>therefore they will not allow welding equipment so I use my welders in my
>garage for some projects.
>
>Also is this unit cost about average?
>Thanks Linda
>
>62 California Sprite "Pinky"
>www.freewebs.com/lgrunthaner
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