$500 or under plasma cutter?

[Batmanacw]

I'm not a professional welder, but I'm pretty good and keep my eye on the market closely. I've been considering adding a plasma cutter to the shop for quite some time (I have a Hypertherm at work I can borrow as much as I want). I'm going to buy a Primeweld CUT60, which is a touch more than your budget, but they also make a CUT50 which is $400, 50A, dual-voltage unit that has an AG60 torch (pretty common).

Primeweld was started by a couple of guys from the big name welding companies and they are located here in the U.S. They have the machines made to their specs overseas and their customer service is pretty legendary. You can get someone on the phone in a couple of minutes and I've seen folks claim they got a reply to an e-mail over a weekend. They have really taken the affordable TIG welder market by storm the last few years. I have three coworker/friends who have bought welders from them, and the guy who sits across from me just added the CUT60 to the TIG225X he already had....loves it more than his old Thermal Dynamics unit.

I would definitely recommend looking at Primweld over the YesWelder stuff...in the unlikely event you have a problem, it'll be a lot easier to deal with. The most recent customer service issue I saw with a Primeweld that got damaged in shipping and they shipped a replacement without even waiting for the damaged unit to be shipped back. It's that kind of company.

CUT50DP 50-Amp 110v/220v Plasma Cutter

The PrimeWeld CUT50DP 50-Amp Plasma Cutter is portable and uses compressed air and does not require a shielding gas. Order online to get free shipping.

primeweld.com

I definitely am looking at the non-touch PrimeWeld.

 

[Batmanacw]

Normally, I would try to make @Batmanacw "feel like an idiot" for not considering a blue machine, but for a home shop with a limited scope, I've known a number of guys who have been very happy with their Primeweld cutters. I think you've homed in on your optimal machine and met your price point. That's hard to do, but I think you'll be happy with them, since you're not planning to push the performance envelope too hard with your intended use (no weekend warrior work cutting 1" plate or attempts at CNC). Plasma is one of those tools you'll never know how you lived without.

My buddy wants to build a cnc table eventually. I know it will require a much more powerful plasma cutter. This one is for screwing around in my shop. I sure could have used it a couple weeks ago.

I've got oxy acetylene.....so......

 

[Batmanacw]

I clicked on the link you provided. Supplies for it were one of the recommended purchases, with a link provided right on the same pages. Why would anyone call customer service for supplies, when the fastest way to them in through the same means you bought the welder/cutter.

This machine is $400. For the $600 to get the used machine you refer to, I can buy a whole lot of triple naught guage copper wire.

The reviews don't make any sense, when everyone knows that this is a disposable, some-assembly-required chinesium kit, whose customer service is whatever you find on YouTube. Shouldn't buy these things if your not comfortable with that.

Reading the reviews that other guy skipped, there are tons of guys raving about Primewelds customer service. That is even more impressive that 4.7 of 5 stars.

 

[Headhunter Pipe Co]

Actually there are dozens of people on that review thread bragging about the customer service. You better read further. Lol. The Primeweld has the best ratings and the most people satisfied with customer service. I read a lot of reviews.

You can buy all the $1000 dollar used machines you want. I don't have the money and I simply won't have one if it cost so much.

I hope what you buy works for you .
I own a Hypertherm never had a reason to buy anything else .
Been a happy owner from 1996.
Not one issue
.
Again best of luck

 

[Charles scozzari]

The import inverter welding equipment has really changed things. I bought my welder in 2019, and at that time I really only looked at Miller, Hobart, Lincoln and Esab. I only looked at these because at that time all the "no name" imports were still kind of unknowns, some supporters but also a lot of what if about them.

I ended up spending way more than I planned ($500 or so) on a MIG, instead dropping about $3000 on a Miller 220 MIG / TIG / Stick machine. It is a great welder, and I'm very happy with it. It should be the first and last welder I ever buy unless I buy a WW2 tank to restore and need something bigger than 200 amps.

Hypertherm is on my wish list, but the little Hobart is fine for my current needs.

Anyway, the days of the crappy $99 Harbor Freight welders is past. A lot of the imports are proving to be rather nice, and affordable hobby machines. At the same time the name brands are pricing themselves out of the hobby market. The Miller 220 I bought in 2019, I got for $2900, it is now selling for $4200 and the DC Tig only 215 which was about $2100 is going for $3000.

There are now several multi-process machines with similar specs to my Miller, that get very positive reviews for 1/3 to 1/4 the price of Miller or Lincoln. It was easy to go with Miller when it was 50% more, but honestly I couldn't justify the current price for the welding I do. $2900 was hard enough.

I never thought I'd say this, but if I were buying a welder today, there is a good chance it would be one of the green or orange ones from Harbor Freight.

I also have the same sentiment. It is just about the price. The big outfits will pay those prices without a problem. When I was in the field if I needed anything I was told go to such and such and get it. So now that I am retired I'm the bean counter, I am forced to go to the new groups of tools that are beating a path towards the top. it's the money. Luckily for me all my welding/cutting equipment is Lincoln and is still in great shape, but I'm worried about down the road.

 

[Charles scozzari]

The import inverter welding equipment has really changed things. I bought my welder in 2019, and at that time I really only looked at Miller, Hobart, Lincoln and Esab. I only looked at these because at that time all the "no name" imports were still kind of unknowns, some supporters but also a lot of what if about them.

I ended up spending way more than I planned ($500 or so) on a MIG, instead dropping about $3000 on a Miller 220 MIG / TIG / Stick machine. It is a great welder, and I'm very happy with it. It should be the first and last welder I ever buy unless I buy a WW2 tank to restore and need something bigger than 200 amps.

Hypertherm is on my wish list, but the little Hobart is fine for my current needs.

Anyway, the days of the crappy $99 Harbor Freight welders is past. A lot of the imports are proving to be rather nice, and affordable hobby machines. At the same time the name brands are pricing themselves out of the hobby market. The Miller 220 I bought in 2019, I got for $2900, it is now selling for $4200 and the DC Tig only 215 which was about $2100 is going for $3000.

There are now several multi-process machines with similar specs to my Miller, that get very positive reviews for 1/3 to 1/4 the price of Miller or Lincoln. It was easy to go with Miller when it was 50% more, but honestly I couldn't justify the current price for the welding I do. $2900 was hard enough.

I never thought I'd say this, but if I were buying a welder today, there is a good chance it would be one of the green or orange ones from Harbor Freight.

It's the only game in town for the hobby guys. I understand what's happened.

 

[Batmanacw]

I also have the same sentiment. It is just about the price. The big outfits will pay those prices without a problem. When I was in the field if I needed anything I was told go to such and such and get it. So now that I am retired I'm the bean counter, I am forced to go to the new groups of tools that are beating a path towards the top. it's the money. Luckily for me all my welding/cutting equipment is Lincoln and is still in great shape, but I'm worried about down the road.

If I was using the plasma cutter professionally I'd spend the money on quality. No question. Right now a cheap one will suffice for my limited needs.

 

[Charles scozzari]

If I was using the plasma cutter professionally I'd spend the money on quality. No question. Right now a cheap one will suffice for my limited needs.

The only drawback is every so often you need more capacity and they just don't have it. These machines are sold by there cutting capacity. Once you cross the 1/4" threshold prices can in some cases triple.

 

[Batmanacw]

The only drawback is every so often you need more capacity and they just don't have it. These machines are sold by there cutting capacity. Once you cross the 1/4" threshold prices can in some cases triple.

The Primeweld I'm looking at cuts up to 1/2" on 220v. I've seen video of it doing it. I'm not looking to do that often.

I've got oxy acetylene.

 

[Batmanacw]

The Primeweld Cut50DP is on it's way. I bought a 30 pcs consumables kit for $39. I haven't looked for cheaper kits yet. I should buy a 0.030" kit for using it on 110v occasionally.