Thread: Plasma Cutting Machines

Some time back there was a flurry of blokes buying "Cut 40" and "Cut 50" Plasma Cutters for around $250 mark. I have a job coming up where I need to cut 12 plate MS into some part shapes. I was just wondering if I could have some feed back from those who bought these Chinese machines a while back, with a view to maybe me buying one from Ebay

Rod, I have a Cut50, branded Okai, or similar, found out they are the primary maker in China. It has worked like a dream, only problem is that it won't work when my solar panels are generating as the DC/AC conversion upsets it's electronics so I just click the AC switch off in the meter box to use it.
Rgds,
Crocy.

My cut40 is still working fine, however times have changed.

These days pilot arc is far more common, although you will pay extra for the pilot arc. That is why you might see photo's of what appear to be identical machines with one priced far far cheaper then the other. The cheaper one will not have pilot arc, usually anyway.

Thanks Crocy and RC. I remembered at the time there was quite a movement of fellas who bought them but I didn't remember seeing any feedback.
The job that I have to do is not very big so I am weighing up whether or not I should lash out and buy on.
I did notice some machines are saying that they will start readily on contact with the torch on the plate to be cut. Does that sound like a good feature as apposed to the pilot arc?

My el cheapo Cut 40 does a very messy cut at 12mm. I recall a post 2 or 3 years ago where a few chimed in with their Cut 40 experiences and it seems they are not all equal, some do a respectable cut in 12mm, others struggle.

There are certainly no more $200 Cut 40s on ebay, $350 or so seems to be the starting point.

Hi Rod, you might find it cheaper and less of a headache if you got them cut by someone in town, I believe there are several laser/plasma cutters in town.
Kryn

Thank you gentle men for your wise words. I started looking at combination machines that had Tig as well as Plasma Cut (it doesn't cost anything to look)
I also looked at those toilet roll air dryer/filters. I bought a couple for the place I was working probably 30 years ago and they were only about $30, the price now is $150. I am soooo behind current products

Originally Posted by bob ward

There are certainly no more $200 Cut 40s on ebay, $350 or so seems to be the starting point.

The Cut50 seems to be the cheaper mass produced one these days. around $250 with free postage. No pilot arc though. Add $50-$100 for a cut50 with pilot arc.

I think I was one of the cheap Cut-40 brigade. As I've posted before, my unit is good for up to 8mm, after that things get very ugly, and 12mm is a no-go.

That said, for the right application, it's an excellent tool to have on hand.

Also, now I'm familiar with it, I'm much better informed if I decide to get a more capable machine.

Originally Posted by .RC.

The Cut50 seems to be the cheaper mass produced one these days. around $250 with free postage. No pilot arc though. Add $50-$100 for a cut50 with pilot arc.

My Cut50 was $600 over 10 years ago. It's cut a hell of a lot of plate but 12mm really is its limit. It won't really do 12mm in 316, I know from sad experience.

I solved that problem by buying a Cut120 but it's 3 phase. Funnily enough it cost me $600.....

PDW

Picked up my no-name brand Cut 60 about 8 years ago. ($550 I think)
It will do 12mm but its getting ugly and at full amps the duty cycle is useless. If its plain steel plate, cutting with the oxy/acy gives a cleaner cut.
Dialed back a bit and it will cut 10mm anything all day with a good finish. Must be one of those suspect units.

Tony

Clearly not all plasma cutters are created equal - UniMig's 45 amp machine says it'll cut 16mm and sever 20mm, while the Hypertherm Powermax 45 XP claims it'll cut 22mm, and sever 29mm.

Originally Posted by RustyArc

Clearly not all plasma cutters are created equal - UniMig's 45 amp machine says it'll cut 16mm and sever 20mm, while the Hypertherm Powermax 45 XP claims it'll cut 22mm, and sever 29mm.

I have one of those Multi Purpose machines Plasma, Tig and Stick , the plasma cutter is rated at 40 amp and will do 10mm nicely and 12mm but a bit rough.

Originally Posted by RustyArc

Clearly not all plasma cutters are created equal - UniMig's 45 amp machine says it'll cut 16mm and sever 20mm, while the Hypertherm Powermax 45 XP claims it'll cut 22mm, and sever 29mm.

This is true, the Thermal Dynamics and Hypertherm units are far superior to the Chinese ones. I used to have one in my Govt workshop.

Unfortunately they're also 3X the price or more, maybe 5X.

For the price you pay the circa $600 Chinese units do a quite acceptable job. I chew through tips but they're cheap enough bought in bulk that I don't care.

As for oxy-fuel yeah I still have a couple of cutting rigs but the bottle rental was a killer there. Now I can buy an oxy bottle but I don't think I can buy acetylene yet in Tasmania. I am set up to do oxy-LPG if I need to but the 120A plasma cutter should cover it up to 35mm-40mm plate.

PDW

Originally Posted by KBs PensNmore

Hi Rod, you might find it cheaper and less of a headache if you got them cut by someone in town, I believe there are several laser/plasma cutters in town.
Kryn

Originally Posted by chambezio

Thank you gentle men for your wise words. I started looking at combination machines that had Tig as well as Plasma Cut (it doesn't cost anything to look)
I also looked at those toilet roll air dryer/filters. I bought a couple for the place I was working probably 30 years ago and they were only about $30, the price now is $150. I am soooo behind current products

Clean, dry air for any plasma is a must, consumable alloy plays a part too (IIRC they use some fancy alloy, so Chinesium metals will let you down). You might get the job done for 300 clams, but really depends on how critical your work is.
The plasma arc and swirl characteristics of it tends to put a slight kerf and bevel on the job- particularly at the upper limit of the machine's amperage, so factor in cleanup for any critical dimensions.

@chambezio, given your location, I'd be making contact with a few of the locals-
Tim at Northwest sheet metal Gunnedah has CNC plasma, and does some great work up to 50mm last I heard. He's on facebook too.
Mal @ Engineering unlimited runs a profile cutter.
There are a few laser cutters up in Inverell who do contract work, but your qty may fall short.
I think the guys at Southern steel also outsource some cutting work, not sure if they cut to plan if you supply a drawing, but might be worth asking (or you other favourite steel supplier).