Looking for a plasma cutter

NCWayne

Well-known Member
I've been looking for a plasma cutter for a week or so now, but haven't been finding what I am looking for. I'm hoping somebody on here will either know of one, or can tell me some places to look that I haven't found yet, as I have looked everywhere I can find.

I'm looking for an older one with at least an 80 amp output, but would actually prefer 100 amp plus if I can find one.

I had been looking at all the 220v single phase ones, as that's the only way I'd have the amperage available in the shop to run it. Fortunately I realized yesterday that the generator I got from Dad last year can be configured for 3 phase. This will give me the capability to run a three phase machine with a power draw of up to 100 amps on 240V three phase.

I had actually seen a nice 150 amp, 100% duty cycle, ESAB last week at a surplus place. They weren't asking but $699 for it, but it was three phase, so I kept looking. After I thought about the generator, I looked at it again this morning and called the place to see what kind of torches came with it.

The salesman emailed me some pictures, but due to work, I didn't get them until a few hours after I called. Turned out it had two hand torches, and a machine torch with it. I immediately got back on their site, and it wasn't listed anymore. I called the guy back and he did some checking and told me it had been sold somewhere between me calling the first time, and calling him back several hours later.....In other words it set there for nearly two weeks, but the day I decide it will work, and I want it, it gets sold.......needless to say I am one sick puppy.....

Anyways, the search is on again. Like I said, I am looking for at least an 80 amp output, but would prefer 100 amps plus. I don't need new, or pretty, I just need functional, and for the consumables to be available for it. Money wise, given that shipping won't be cheap, I'm trying not to spend more than $600 to $800 on the machine itself.

So, if anyone knows of one for sale, or anywhere to look, I'd appreciate a heads up. Thanks.....
 
3 Phase machines are cheaper than 220v just because of the lack of power to run them. They show up on CL around the bigger cites. Or I could price you a new on for around 2000.00 :(, There is a reason I can sell one just can t afford to pay for one.
 
Have ready cash on hand, keep searching, be ready to go get it as soon as is appears, and do not buy chinese toys. I was ready to spend $1200 for a Hypertherm 45 when one still in the box popped up on Craigslist 100 miles away for $600. I was on the road within an hour.
 
My first advice is buy new if you can, plasmas can be expensive to repair. I need a new torch for my Pakmaster XL 100 and that alone is $500.00. Hypertherm, Thermal dynamics, and Esab are really good brands and should have consumables availabe. What are you trying to cut that you need such a large model?
 
I occasionally get into doing repair to things like excavator and loader buckets. The one sitting in the shop right now is a 1.54 yard bucket off of a PC300 Komatsu. The sides on it are about 1 1/2" thick, and the cutting edge is about the same. I had to do a field repair to one on a PC 400 awhile back, and the cutting edge on it was nearly 1 3/4" thick.

I do all of the gouging now with a carbon arc, but I've had the opportunity in the past to use a plasma for the gouging, and I know for a fact it goes ALOT faster doing it that way.

In any case I often have a lot of gouging to do, and having a high AMP plasma will make that a lot easier. With repairs like I'm doing the gouging capability is a must, but having the ability to cut through the thicker plate would be an added benefit, as it would often save a lot of time getting things ready to weld back up. Heck even some of the cable plow blades I repair routinely run 5/8 to 3/4 thick, so the smaller machines aren't going to work even for that, much less when I get in something big.
 
Well my 100 amp will barely cut 1" and even that thick it's faster with a torch. For mine about 3/4" is where the torch gets better. I do hear that the newer machines will cut thicker material than the older ones tho.. Mine is rated to pierce 1 1/4" and cut 1", but it's very slow for that.
 
why not just use a "gouging rod" for you stick welder? they work really well for removing factory welds----- forget the carbon arc
 

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