Any one on here had experiance with the smaller plasma cutters such as the hobart that has its own built in air compressor and can be run off your houshold electric,they say they will cut up to 1/4" but I just want it to do sheet metal work and thinner frame rail work,what do you guys think,Thanks

I have a Miller plasma cutter with it's own compressor. It works great for sheetmetal and floor braces that I used it on.
It makes a nice clean thin cut as straight as I can hold my hand as I drag the tip along.

does it cut pretty continous like to take out floor pans and such,is yours one you can plug into 110v home electric.

Get one that needs an external compressor. The ones with inboard do not do a great job of cutting. I have a Hobart 250 Airforce 110V with internal compressor, and have not been impressed with its abilities. Constantly needing to stop for the compressor to catch up. Go with a conventional plasma cutter. You will be glad you did.

Bob,how long will it cut before you stop,I am in the process of getting a new welder and some of the other tools needed for this kind of work and trying to do it in my 2 car garage with 2 cars in it,I dont have the extra cash for a new compressor like I want thats why I was looking at a plasma like this.I will eventually get a big compressor after I get my shop built eventually but not sure when that will be so I was looking for a cheaper route to remove some metal with my space and budget limitations right now without just using a sawsal.

Get one that needs an external compressor. The ones with inboard do not do a great job of cutting. I have a Hobart 250 Airforce 110V with internal compressor, and have not been impressed with its abilities. Constantly needing to stop for the compressor to catch up. Go with a conventional plasma cutter. You will be glad you did.
Ditto on that. If you want to make continuous cuts the Hobart 250 Air force isn't what you're looking for.

Bob,how long will it cut before you stop,I am in the process of getting a new welder and some of the other tools needed for this kind of work and trying to do it in my 2 car garage with 2 cars in it,I dont have the extra cash for a new compressor like I want thats why I was looking at a plasma like this.I will eventually get a big compressor after I get my shop built eventually but not sure when that will be so I was looking for a cheaper route to remove some metal with my space and budget limitations right now without just using a sawsal.
I know this question wasn't aimed at me but I will give my point of view. You'll be so aggravated with the constant stopping that you will think about using the sawsall. I will have to say I've not used mine on sheet metal but thicker steel like 1/8in, so you may get better results with sheet metal.

Bob,how long will it cut before you stop,I am in the process of getting a new welder and some of the other tools needed for this kind of work and trying to do it in my 2 car garage with 2 cars in it,I dont have the extra cash for a new compressor like I want thats why I was looking at a plasma like this.I will eventually get a big compressor after I get my shop built eventually but not sure when that will be so I was looking for a cheaper route to remove some metal with my space and budget limitations right now without just using a sawsal.

Through 18-20 gauge sheetmetal, maybe a 3 inch cut before you need to stop. Its no fun. Wanna buy one cheap?:D

I may halve to rethink it alittle bit,figured it would work better than that but doesnt sound like it,tired of all the noise with my sawsal allready but might half to keep going with it and save up some more money for the right cutter and compressor.Thanks for the info fellas

Bob,I was looking at your site and am going to need to put new quarters tail panel rear filler and who knows what else on this car after I get my new 4 link welded in,how well do your pieces fit and how hard do you think it will be to fit these panels on a car that is completelly cut out in the back,you come highly recommended from members of this site to get the pieces from but I am just curious and dont have much experience in body work.Thanks

Get one that needs an external compressor. The ones with inboard do not do a great job of cutting. I have a Hobart 250 Airforce 110V with internal compressor, and have not been impressed with its abilities. Constantly needing to stop for the compressor to catch up. Go with a conventional plasma cutter. You will be glad you did.

he is correct!

do you have your own compressor?

use it....

i reccomend a hypertherm,hobart or miller..

if you have the service to run a 220v unit do so......it will draw less amperage and you will less likely trip a breaker.especially if the compressor is running on the same circuit.

but only you know your situation.....your money,your house service etc.....

Also Bob,what is a reasonably priced plasma you would recommened for this type of work without breaking the bank:sad:,got more car parts to buy:hurray:Thanks again

wagonman,

I do not have a compressor yet but will have to get one if thats the best way to go cause 3" at a time is no good for me.I do have 220v in my garage I was planning on running my mig off of so that wont be a problem.I am fixin to order my licoln mig and then will have to get some more cash for a better plasma and compressor,just got my new 4 link frame and suspension in last week so money is goin out faster than it is comin in right now but it wont take long to make some more,Thanks for the reply.

Also Bob,what is a reasonably priced plasma you would recommened for this type of work without breaking the bank:sad:,got more car parts to buy:hurray:Thanks again

Hobart is fine, but look for the units that do not say "no compressor needed". A 250 should be sufficient power,its the internal compressor-thats the problem. Even an inexpensive 5HP sears unit will do the job for a plasma cutter.

Here is a 400 amp model that needs a compressor. This will tackle all you need.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009LI4S

As for our panels, we are GoodMark/Golden Legion/GoldenStar/Dynacorn distributors. About 90% of all first gen sheetmetal is made by Legion,and re-boxed under the various brand names. The fit and quality is the best on the market. What you will also find is that we do not "pencil-whip" folks on shipping like alot of vendors.

You can buy a Hypertherm Powermax 30 115/230 volt, comes with adapter for 115 and 230volt and also twist lock for generator. Cuts 1/4" on 115v & 3/8" on 230v works great for $1159.00, but need a compressor, it only needs 60 psi. of air.

Through 18-20 gauge sheetmetal, maybe a 3 inch cut before you need to stop. Its no fun. Wanna buy one cheap?:D

Couldn't you remove the internal compressor and plumb it to accept a 3/8 coupler and use an external compressor ??

I think that the Miller and Hobart Plasma cutters are the exact same machine but with a different cover on them. I looked into it on eBay when I was looking to purchase one myself and the seller noted that they are the same. He sells both so it's not like he was biased...at least I don't think so anyway.... He said they came from the same factory.... If you look at both models that have the compressor installed on them, you'll see the lights on the front are the same... Just a thought...

He also said not to go too small on a plasma cutter as well, which is concurrent with what Bob and the others are saying. I was looking at the Miller cutmate 375. I think that is the best one for this type of work and it is dual voltage as well, which would really work for me. You should check them out on eBay. There is a guy taht selss them for like $965.50 Buy it now price with like 50 for shipping. You'll see them about once every other week or so. (I have been looking for some time now!)

Best of Luck!

Couldn't you remove the internal compressor and plumb it to accept a 3/8 coupler and use an external compressor ??

Not sure, but thats a great idea/concept. If I could, I sure would. I'd be better off heating a butter knife with a propane torch at this rate! :Dl:)

Through 18-20 gauge sheetmetal, maybe a 3 inch cut before you need to stop. Its no fun. Wanna buy one cheap?:D
I first thought mine was bad until I started doing some reading and see that this is common. Why on earth would a company with a good reputation put something out that is so useless? I got mine as a prize for parts purchasing points so at least I'm not out any coin.

That won't help the capacity any! most plasma's with air comps built in only cut 1/8" and not very good. I sell welding supplies and we don't even stock the small ones anymore.

I first thought mine was bad until I started doing some reading and see that this is common. Why on earth would a company with a good reputation put something out that is so useless? I got mine as a prize for parts purchasing points so at least I'm not out any coin.

Because the good ones are too expensive for us cheap gearheads. They put out a unit that we can afford, but doesn't work as well. Then we get PO'd and go buy what we should've bought in the first place.:D

I have the Hypertherm 190c, 115v an dit does great for me. I have used it to cut all kinds of sheet metal and some thicker brackets etc.

Don't understand what you guys mean about waiting for the compressor, mine keeps on blowing as long as I can hold the line and cut, maybe I am too slow:)

My .02 Picked it up for $500 used.

Matt

Matt

you dont have to stop at all when cutting like stated above?how long of cuts are you making?

Since budget is a concern......you might consider this....

Think of how much you will use the tool.....I agree with the right tool for the job at hand but.....

A grinder electric or air and several cut off wheels will accomplish most of what you have to cut. It makes a little more mess but it is a very budget minded way to go....If you already own the grinder you are ahead of the game.....If not it will be on your list for doing this type of work.....

With the savings you can invest in a better welder and more parts....:thumbsup: Later on when budget allows you can send in the cash for the one that fits you needs.......

8 Ball

Since budget is a concern......you might consider this....

Think of how much you will use the tool.....I agree with the right tool for the job at hand but.....

A grinder electric or air and several cut off wheels will accomplish most of what you have to cut. It makes a little more mess but it is a very budget minded way to go....If you already own the grinder you are ahead of the game.....If not it will be on your list for doing this type of work.....

With the savings you can invest in a better welder and more parts....:thumbsup: Later on when budget allows you can send in the cash for the one that fits you needs.......

8 Ball

I agree with 8 ball... I removed all of the panels I could with a spot weld cutting bit and did almost all of my cutting with a cutting wheel and a sawsall (only for parts I knew I was going to trash and that I couldn't get a cutting wheel in there)

I removed my floor, most of my firewall, parts of my Pax rocker, tail pan, trunk floor, read speaker deck, rear filler panel, roof, remainder of my quarters and such etc.

I wold say that investing that money into a kick a$$ air compressor (that is more versatile than a plasma, ie body work and the like) is the way to go.

Unless you plan on making this a job, save your money like 8 ball said, For more parts!!!!

yeah,I'm kinda startin to lean that way,that money could buy me a good bit of parts to get this thing goin hopefully before spring with any luck.

I'll say from experience, pass on the ones with the built in compressors at least the Miller and clones, I had a miller spectrum and was very disappointed in it, unless I was slicing the thinnest sheetmetal it sat collecting dust. Although it was rated to 1/4 inch, it was a joke at that thickness.
The one bright side of hurricane Katrina flooding my garage was the fact that I was able to replace it with a thermal dynamics Cutmaster that can cut up to 5/8 steel with ease. I like miller stuff, I have a TIG and MIG by them that work great, but I would pass on their lower plasma cutters. With the one I have now, I find my self tackling a lot of projects I would have passed on. If you decide you do need a plasma, wait until you can get one thats rated to do 1/2 inch steel. You may never cut anything that thick, but you can cut the thin stuff like 1/8 or 1/4 so much easier and faster with the extra power.

Hey CMQuick coupe-

I have used mine to cut sheetmetal panels off and to trim panels I was putting on. Also trimmed up some brackets I guess I am cutting 3-10 inches at a time but most of them are short cuts. I also have a sawzall and cutoff wheel which would likely do the job but I can say i like the Plasma for its speed and accuracy. I suspect the other guys are trying to do a lot more with thier cutters than i am.

Matt

I used my Miller with the built in compressor to make the cuts pictured below. The only time I stopped a cut was to reposition my self, not because the cutter couldn't keep up.:)
I don't know why mine works so well when others like mine don't seem to.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/Rixls6/69chevellefloorrust034.jpg

Anyone have any experance with the Harbor freight 110v unit.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=97994

Going to be tuff to beat the price 499 plus I have 15% off coupon. For $129 they will put a three year replacment warranty on it.

It will cut up to 3/16" steel which is also the max for a Lincoln 135 110V Mig.

Bob,how long will it cut before you stop,I am in the process of getting a new welder and some of the other tools needed for this kind of work and trying to do it in my 2 car garage with 2 cars in it,I dont have the extra cash for a new compressor like I want thats why I was looking at a plasma like this.I will eventually get a big compressor after I get my shop built eventually but not sure when that will be so I was looking for a cheaper route to remove some metal with my space and budget limitations right now without just using a sawsal.

They actually work better with bottled air....

I think that plasmas are WAAAAAAYYY cool, but if you are just a garage gearhead like us and not a pro, then I do not think that they are necessary and kind of a waste. I mean, I would rather spend some big bucks on an industrial sized air compressor then a plasma...

To summarize: If you are a pro that does multiple builds, I think it is a good idea...
If you are a guy working on one car in your garage... stick with the air tools.

Don't get me wrong; I really want one, but I just can't drop the coin!

also dont forget about the time you will save by useing a plasma cutter it only takes a few seconds to cut something, instead of 30 min. time = money.

Thermal dynamics makes a 110 volt plasma that works off an external compressor works great.

Can I recommend staying away from Hobart and especially one with an internal compressor. I would recommend going with a miller, esab, or thermal dynamics these are the big boys in the business. Also make sure that you have a large enough compressor to handle the machine itself. If you are going to be using it for existed lengths of time I would recommend a compressor larger than 5-7 hp 60 gallon because you can burn one of these compressor up quick if your not careful.

I have one of these they're around $800 and so far I like it.

http://www.htpweld.com/products/plasma_cutters/300.html