Plasma cutter

[CRaSHnBuRN]

Would the Hobart 250ci plasma cutter be too light duty for general fabbing on 4x4s? Most of the stuff I plan on cutting will be 1/4" or thinner.

http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/plasma/

I'm back to wanting to get a plasma cutter, and I've found the Hobarts new for around $650 shipped. I've also looked into the cheaper dual voltage Chinese brands (parker, etc.), but once you add in the cost of a new air compressor (the one I have now is not big enough), the Hobart will probably be cheaper, plus I would prefer to get a name brand. I'm also limited to only 110V at this time

[DRAGOONRANCH]

I would try to put a little more scratch together and get the right one the first time. The 250 would make a good machine though for light fab work.

[CRaSHnBuRN]

I would try to put a little more scratch together and get the right one the first time. The 250 would make a good machine though for light fab work.


I would like to get a more powerful machine, but like I said, I would have to upgrade my air compressor at the same time, and all that quickly adds up. As for it being light duty, I worry about that, but then again my little hobart 140 welder is supposed to be light duty and it works fine for everything I need.

[DRAGOONRANCH]

I think I didn't word it real well. You will like that machine, and it will do a fine job. It is hard to not jump on the "do it right the first time" band wagon when it's not your money. :D

[J Cooper]

i have the hobart 250A, it works great for whats its made for, sheet metal and body panels. when used correctly it will cut thicker steel with a couple passes. but if you want to cut thick stuff all the time, get a bigger one or just use a torch

[jerryg79]

http://www.tamor.org/forums/showthread.php?t=8098&highlight=plasma+cutter

[CRaSHnBuRN]

http://www.tamor.org/forums/showthread.php?t=8098&highlight=plasma+cutter

What does that thread really have to do with this thread?

[CRaSHnBuRN]

i have the hobart 250A, it works great for whats its made for, sheet metal and body panels. when used correctly it will cut thicker steel with a couple passes. but if you want to cut thick stuff all the time, get a bigger one or just use a torch


so when you say thicker, what thicknesses are you talking about? The max thickness I will most likely be cutting is 1/4". Does yours require multiple passes for this?

[redcagepatrol]

That $350 extra will be worth it in 20 years... It's one of those few lifetime purchases (outlast most of your vehicles) that you really should buy the better one and expect that in the future you will be cutting something bigger than 1/4".

I have the Miller that is rated at 5/16" It cuts 1/2" pretty good - it only needs a little bit of grinding afterwards.
http://store.cyberweld.com/spec375cut.html

Buy it online - no tax and free shipping. the 250 is only $800, the 400 is $1100
http://store.cyberweld.com/hoplcuai25.html

This will also give you that excuse to buy the "lifetime" air compressor... That was my excuse anyways:gigem:

[davido]

I agree. I bought my welder at cyberweld. This is something you never want to buy again. Anything over 1/2" you can use a torch on instead.