Anyone here have a plasma cutter ?
 

My wife just purchased me a cheapy chinese 3 in 1 plasma cutter/ tig and stick welder.

Anyone on here used them before { the chinese ones} and if so, do they work okay ? They are selling for about $500 shipped and if it will cut/ weld 1/2" plate and less, Ill be happy with it.

Re: Anyone here have a plasma cutter ?
 

What is the amps, voltage, and duty cycle rating? The amps/volts will tell you if you have enough juice to weld 1/2. The duty cycle will tell you the ratio of how long you can use welder vs how long it has to cool down.

1/2 plate is ALOT, and will require a respectable machine. If it is 110v, it will not do 1/2 plate. Actually 110v will only do about 1/8 inch.

500 may buy you a decent stick welder.

Re: Anyone here have a plasma cutter ?
 

Its called a Simadre and its a 3 in 1 unit

40 amp plasma cutter, 150 amp stick welder { I wont be using the tig welder} ..


its a dual voltage unit and automatically detects 110-220 volts. They are being sold all over ebay and have been around for a few years. Im hoping most of the problems have been ironed out of these units.

Re: Anyone here have a plasma cutter ?
 

Don't know that I believe those duty cycles.

If it does what it says it does it is a heck of a deal, and everyone else is paying way too much. Good luck.


Model SiMadre CUT 520D
Voltage 110/220V Automative Switch
Duty Cycle - 50 Amps Plasma Cutter 60% at 50 Amps and 100% at 30 Amps
Duty Cycle - 200 Amps Tig Welder 60% at 200 Amps ARC and 100% at 105 Amps ARC. Gas Flow: 2-5 L/Minute
Duty Cycle - 160 Amps Arc Welder 60% at 160 Amps and 100% at 95 Amps. Accessories are included
Cutting Thickness 0.55 inches clean cut with 7.2 inches per minutes; 1 inch severance cut with 3.1 inches per minute
Rated Ouput Current 50 Amp Under both AC 110V and 220V
Frequency 50 and 60 Hz with operating air pressure as 65 psi @ 3.2 cfm
Package Includes Plasma Cutter - Inverter Unit, 10 Ft Ground Cable & Ground Clamp, 16 Ft Torch with Hose, Electrode, Nozzle, Ceramic Shield Cup and Swirl Ring, Air Filter/Regulator, Hose, Clamps, Mounting Bracket and Owner Manual

Re: Anyone here have a plasma cutter ?
 

If it works first time out of the box, you're well ahead of the game. As with most chinese products, it's built using inferior grade components. Before powering up, open the case and inspect all the connections. More than one person has found wire splices wrapped in fishing line.

Whenever electronic components are manufactured, they're tested by batch. If the tested parts fail, the entire batch is usually rejected. That doesn't mean they're destroyed. Usually they'll be tested to a lower standard. Passing that, they're then sold cheaper for less critical applications. That's what's in your box.
These guys have plenty of threads discussing these units. Sometimes someone gets a good value. Sometimes not.

Re: Anyone here have a plasma cutter ?
 

I am in need of a cutter myself. What would it take to cut heavy industrial equipment into 3 foot sections? I am talking about heavy I beams, industrial steel piping and sheet etc. Basically I need something that has no limitations.

Is a plasma the best way, or would an oxy/acetylene torch be better?

Keep in mind I have to be mobile with the rig and reach up to 30 feet in height. I do have a 6500 single phase generator.

Re: Anyone here have a plasma cutter ?
 

:rolleyes_m: Torch it dude...a plasma cutter for that type of work is a boat anchor.
Sheet metal and plate over 3/8" thick will require a plasma cutter that costs macho bucks.

I love them for shop work but you're talking heavy construction grade capabilities.

Buy the torch...

:bear_w00t::D:bear_w00t:

Re: Anyone here have a plasma cutter ?
 

..........................

Re: Anyone here have a plasma cutter ?
 

We very rarely use plasma cutters, although I have one....for most things above 1/8 inch we use a worm drive type saw with a metal blade that will cut through 1/2 inch iron and is capable of 31/2 inch deep cuts.....we'll use the plasma or cutting torch for curved/radius cuts. For ranch work I tow around a MQ 10 KW welder/ generator and a few corded cutting tools like a cutter /grinder or sawzall or perhaps the metal cutting worm drive saw as described above, if I need a torch I can always throw a small portable set in the back of the truck, of course, I have my full size torch setup on wheels in the shop. And don't forget , for cuts 1/8 inch and under there's a wonderful set of double cut hand shears made by a German co. ....they will cut straight or radius cuts ,quick and accurate , waaaaay better than the American versions made by Kett ,Milwaukee, or dewalt

Re: Anyone here have a plasma cutter ?
 

Heavy industrial equipment into 3 foot sections? wow. Well, a plasma cutter isn't very mobile. We purchased one for the mill last summer, the brand escapes me at the moment but it wasn't a cheap one but it also wasn't the biggest model. It was supposed to cut up to 1/2" easily but we got way to much wash in the cut to be acceptable for the fab work we do. On smaller stuff its great as it doesn't put as much heat into what you're cutting like with acetylene. You'd also have to throw a compressor on the trailer with your genny, but damn you're going to run through alot of gas, especially oxygen using a torch. Probably the best way to go though.

Re: Anyone here have a plasma cutter ?
 

Yes, 3 foot sections and under bring top dollar in the steel market, but it is only worth the effort if you can move quickly through the cuts.

I do not know the math to gain $ via processing for ferrous metals against just selling out at a lower price = larger sections . I am only used to processing non ferrous.

Sorry I did not mean to hijack this thread and hope others pick up the original question. I have just been wanting to pose this question here for a few days and felt this was the right place.

Re: Anyone here have a plasma cutter ?
 

A 40 amp, 3 in 1 chinese plasma cutter maxed out at 40 amps, cutting 1/2" steel by hand at 7.2" a minute? Let us know how this works if you ever try it. I bet you'll be disapointed with the performance on 1/4" steel.

I know the wife bought it for you and all, but if you ever want to get a good reliable machine with some power you'll need to fork out more dough.

Re: Anyone here have a plasma cutter ?
 

One thing I do hear about plasma cutters is that they are safer for working in fire hazard environment. I was scrapping ac units on a building a while back and if we were to use a torch, the metal could have set the entire mall on fire. Or so I was told at least.

Re: Anyone here have a plasma cutter ?
 

I wouldn't put much faith in that. It's burning steel plate. Molten residue is still the same temp. In this, you're about as much safer as you would be falling off a nine storey building as opposed to a ten. The only real increase in safety is that if you drop the torch, it won't ignite the roof.

Re: Anyone here have a plasma cutter ?
 

Thanks for the replys,

Ive read a few of the online forums that discuss these units and it does seem to be a hit or miss. I wont be using it everyday, just mostly for small projects/ hobbies once a month or less. The plate I need to currently cut is under 1/2" so if the unit is at least functioning properly, it should cut that no problem. I watched a few videos of the unit and it seemed to do a good job but Im fully aware videos can be decieving. I will take the cover off and inspect all the wires. Supposedly some of the parts in this unit are from Japan/ Germany...like the cooling system and the Mosfets. I read about 100 or so reviews on ebay feedback for these units and emailed some of the buyers. The majority said they were pleased with the unit. I know its a crap shoot, but for the price it may be worth the chance.

Ill report back once I recieve the unit and try it out.

Re: Anyone here have a plasma cutter ?
 

Just make sure your air supply is up to the task.

Re: Anyone here have a plasma cutter ?
 

Keep in mind that you will need replacement parts; electrodes, nozzles and cups. Clean, dry air is a must!

Re: Anyone here have a plasma cutter ?
 

I just got this unit today { came directly from China} . I had to get the 220 plug . Hooked it up set it at 30 amps and 70 psi and the plasma cutter worked fantastically. I had some 3/8 " flat plate steel and it cut it with no problems at all { just as easily as my friends Miller plasma cuter that he payed over 2 grand for }

I hope to get several hours of use with it in the next few days to see if it has reliability problems, but so far, It seems to work very nicely ecspecially considering its a 3 in 1 unit that plasma cuts, tig welds and stick welds and cost $499 deilvered and came with extar tips/ consumables, air filter/ gauge, etc.....all I needed to buy was the plug to attach to the wires coming out of the unit . tHE UNIT IS ALSO VERy LIGHTWEIGHT because it doesnt use big transformers ...it uses Mosfets and toshiba components. It only weighs about 23 lbs compared to my friends Miller plasma cutter which weighs about 70 lbs and is quite large/bulky.

I just thought Id give a update for anyone interested

Re: Anyone here have a plasma cutter ?
 

I appreciate the update. I have considered getting one myself. It could come in handy in the aftertimes - turning Neons into horsedrawn carriages and such. I picked up a GoWeld on Ebay a little while ago - it runs on 2 12V. batteries. I may also get a cutting torch that uses gasoline instead of acetylene. But bottled oxy might be tough to find.

Re: Anyone here have a plasma cutter ?
 

Yea, you are right about the 9/10 fire risk ratio. When we did this scrap job we decided against recovering any steel at all due to the fire risks. There was enough $ in the rads to just let it go. Since we were 3 stories up and 60 feet in, the recovery costs for any ferrous were formidable. Heli lifts where probably the only option.

Some others downstairs were trying to torch the escalators and nearly set the place on fire on the bottom level.

My area of experience is very specialized. I would be surprised if there were any mid level or above scrappers on this forum, but if there are, I would like to know them.

My problem is that I regularly get inquiries about mobile home deals and such and I have not yet done a job like this, so sorting out the possible profit ratios can probably only be had via experience.

From what I have learned so far, an Oxy/Propane setup is cheaper than acetylene and that is good for people like me who do not require clean cuts.

My only goal is to rip through heavy steel/iron at the cheapest and quickest rate possible so we can easily manipulate the metal into a trailer and maximize revenue.

If you have scrap steel and iron in sections measuring 3 ft or less, the payout is about $40 more per ton. I do not yet know if that is worth the effort.

Re: Anyone here have a plasma cutter ?
 

One of the nicest ones I've seen has been glue used instead of solder in an external USB hard drive enclosure, on the interface board.

Re: Anyone here have a plasma cutter ?
 

Small time scrapper here but the labor time and your gas cost make it real difficult to try and recoup that $40 per. I don't usually get into big jobs (heavy steel) but I have taken the stance that if I can haul it with very minimal cutting or haul it whole, I do that. I have never thought it was cost effective for me anyway to rip things smaller. Of course you have to be able to handle the pieces but if I could get away with it, I never even think of going smaller. I am not moving semi truck loads though either so this might not even matter to you. Just my opinion my friend.

Re: Anyone here have a plasma cutter ?
 

Ooo, nice.


Songwriter, thanks for the update. I hope it lasts.

Bee .. from what I've heard, O/P saves you money on the fuel, but uses more O2. A lot more. So it's really a balancing act to stay cheaper. If you were doing any welding at all, O/A would be the only way, but propane works nicely for cutting. Propane has the huge advantage of being refillable pretty much anywhere, but you're still tied to your welding shop for the O2 bottles.

Honestly, tho ... acetylene scares the piss outta me. Too many ways for that stuff to kill ya. Consumption too high? Destroys the regulator and you're in trouble. Consumption too low? Flashback. Temp too high? Drop a cylinder? Bugger that.

Re: Anyone here have a plasma cutter ?
 

well I got to use this unit all day long today. Used the plasma cutter and the stick welder. Works fantastically and for $499 delivered it may be one of the best purchases Ive made in a long while if it holds up for a few years minimum. With these types of products and prices coming from China , the U.S is gonna be hard pressed to ever be able to compete again. A simliar name brand unit like this item , made in America or by a brand name would easily cost $1200 + .

My friend has a Miller unit, and it only is a plasma cutter and he told me he paid over $2,000 for it several years ago and its very larg and heavy...my unit weighs about 27 lbs and can fit on a cart. Unreal.

Re: Anyone here have a plasma cutter ?
 

I have the same one and purchased mine off of eBay. :D It has a sticker of Luke Skywalker holding a lightsabre on the top of it. :bear_tongue:

Re: Anyone here have a plasma cutter ?
 

I had an acetylene tank fire a few weeks ago Professur. Fun stuff. I was air arcing a little ways away and my partner was cutting. He stepped across the shop and some of my slag melted the acetylene line about 6 inches from the tank valve. He reached in through the flames and shut the valve off. He had gloves on of course.