looking for opinions on a plasma cutter?

[nj viking]

I don't know if this is the right place to ask this question, but I'm looking to get a plasma cutter and could use some input.

While I like to spend money, I'm not made of it, so it kinda eliminates the big guys ( hypertherm, TD, miller, etc).

Was wondering if anybody has used the eastwood plasma cutter and what their thoughts were, and i guess any other import brand for that matter.

Also if someone would happen to have or know of a quality used machine for sale, I'm all ears.

[Plymouthy Adams]

^{Post a link to the product would be better way to get a response unless someone just happens to have had a actual experience with the model...my opinion, most of their stuff is just rename, repainted, repackaged cheap china import stuff at a higher retail cost....just be mindful of the duty cycle...duty cycle is relative to amperage..higher amperage with thicker metal and thus short cut...long cool down period...the internet is full of warnings, comparable threads and is a fast way to get to speed on plasma cutter comparisons..}

Edited November 1, 2014 by Plymouthy Adams

[austinsailor]

When I got mine, which is a brand name (I'd have to go look to be sure what that was) I debated whether to get a small one capable of 110 volt operation and doing clean 1/8" cuts to 1/4" max rough cutting, or a bigger one capable of clean 1/4" cuts and limited to 220 volts. Of course, there was a big difference in cost, too.

I went cheap and regret it. The one I got will do sheet metal, body metal and aluminum sheet, but it would be nice to do the occasional thicker piece. I have had 220 volts available every time I used it, and here 3 years later I wouldn't notice the $500 - $600 difference.

So, my recommendation is get one that will do 1/4" cleanly.

[NiftyFifty]

I was given a 110v Hobart for Christmas a couple years ago, it was back in the box to be returned 2 days later, it wouldn't cut 18 guage sheet metal for more then a inch at a time, and as stated above...poor duty cycle.

I bought a Thermal Dynamics 45, and this machine is GREAT! I've cut 1/2" plate with it lts of times, although its not a clean cut. It will cut 1/4" like nothing. Spend the money, the cheap ones are a waste

[nj viking]

Here is the one in question.

http://www.eastwood.com/versa-cut-60-plasma-cutter.html

They say its their own machine and consumables are Hypertherm. Plus a three year warranty.

I realize its a rebox from somewhere else, but even the bigger better companies smaller units all have componets from china in them with the exception of Hypertherm.

The small ones with a compressor in them dont seem to be big enough to justify the $1200 entry fee. The larger ones carry a 2k price tag.

Obviously I'm wishing for something that probably doesn't exist but I figured might as well ask.

I cant see myself spending 2k on a machine that would probably get 30hrs of use a year.

[P15-D24]

I would look for a used, name brand 220 volt one. 

[Plymouthy Adams]

Being their design..(please make the name plate say Eastwood) Thi is their answer when asked directly where it is made..........The machines are manufactured in China by one of our established factories. We design, test, and redesign at Eastwood. We make sure all aspects of the welder are looked over and built to our specifications, which is why we are confident in offering the warranty that we offer.

 

And when asked question concerning  max amp draw you would think by their design they could answer that question as an EE and ME both working on the specs would well establish that fact.....We do not have information about the exact amperage draw at full power, but the Versa-Cut 60 plasma cutter requires a NEMA 6-50R receptacle and a 50A breaker.

 

Again...not knocking the machine only the marketing ploy and subsequent pricing compared to the actual product it is a copy of...the three warranty however could be a plus in your favor...and maybe the actual increase cost you are paying.....read on problems experienced on the internet is my only caution...this little tad of info was less than 5 minutes of looking...the problem threads I did not copy...

Edited November 1, 2014 by Plymouthy Adams

[deathbound]

Check over at the Garage Journal......there's probably 100's of threads on 'em.

http://www.garagejournal.com/

[NiftyFifty]

I only paid $950 plus tax for my TD, and that's Canadian.

[1952B3b23]

I had an Eastwood versa cut 40 for awhile. It worked well for a little over a year and then one day it literally stopped cutting. I couldn't figure out what the heck was wrong with the thing and the Eastwood tech support was terrible. I was so frustrated that I gave up on it and bought a Miller 625 X-treme plasma cutter. I could not be happier with that purchase. It works beautifully and I've never had an issue with it. The morale of the story is, save your money and buy a name brand one the first time around. I wish I had. You can check out Craigslist and eBay for used machines to save a few bucks.

-Chris