Harbor Freight Plasma Cutter ???

[DGB]

Hi Everyone, I was wondering if anyone out there has dared to take the Harbor Freight plunge and bought their plasma cutter. See http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95136
for their description. It's not really all that detailed. I only considered it because my cutting needs are not nearly as demanding as a lot of shops are. If it will do 1/2" that is plenty enough for me. I have my OA torch set-up if I really need to get down and dirty. I am somewhat hesitant to buy equipment like this from Harbor Freight. I do go there a lot and there is stuff I have bought there that has been well worth the price. I do have problems buying Chinese but it isn't always a quality issue. What really bugs me is paying an American company for stuff they are having made in China and still trying to sell for the made in America price. If I am buying Chinese I want to pay Chinese.

[jamlit]

I have no idea on that plasma cutter but have heard a few good things about this one. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92652

I prefer buying north american made stuff but will buy some chinese things that I don't use allot so I do not want to pay the big prices or to try something out to see if it is worth having.

[DGB]

I have no idea on that plasma cutter but have heard a few good things about this one. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92652



Thanks for the reply. It looks to be rated about the same but it's $100.00 cheaper. I guess they're really proud of that digital readout.

[jamlit]

You also might want to check this thread out.http://www.weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=6815

Talking about plasma cutters.

Not sure how much you want to spend but for 300.00 or 400.00 more it would cost for a good brand name may be well worth the money. I looked hard at the HF plasma cutter I posted above but after shipping and exchange as I live in Canada, It wasn't allot more for the one I got. I bought the TD cutmaster 38 which has been a awsome machine and with the local dealer near by I am one happy camper. The HF one was going to cost me close to 1100.00 shipped to more door after all the exchanges and duty's and I got the TD cutmaster 38 for 1500.00 total.

I would check out the reviews and write ups for all the plasma cutters you are looking at, mind you if you are wanting to do some simple cuts and are not planning on working the machine to hard the HF one might just be fine for you. One thing I found was that the ratings on the HF ones seem to be a little high, so it will depend on what thinkness you are planning to cut. If you are working with 1/8 and lower and 1/4 inch once and awhile, the HF should be great.

As I have said before, if you find that you are using the chinese one allot and are making some money with it, you now have the means and needs for a good one. Sometimes the cheaper one is the way to go if you are trying to brake new ground before dumping the money into good gear.

Let ud know how you make out.:waving:

[DirtyLittleSecret]

TD Cutmaster on sale at Cyberweld for about $1100 WITH a free Victor OA torch and free shipping. Well worth the extra $. Heck, sell the Victor on ebay to help offset the upgrade!

[DGB]

You also might want to check this thread out.http://www.weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=6815

Talking about plasma cutters.

As I have said before, if you find that you are using the chinese one allot and are making some money with it, you now have the means and needs for a good one. Sometimes the cheaper one is the way to go if you are trying to brake new ground before dumping the money into good gear.



Yeah, I see your point. I was just sort of fishing. If things go the way they usually do, I'll have the good one. Another thing, it will depend on how much I make restoring and selling the three SA-200s I have. As for the money making part, it would be nice but I'm retired and it's not a life or death thing.

[DGB]

TD Cutmaster on sale at Cyberweld for about $1100 WITH a free Victor OA torch and free shipping. Well worth the extra $. Heck, sell the Victor on ebay to help offset the upgrade!

Now there's a no-brainer.

[MicroZone]

Yep - I'd go for that setup.

On another note, if you're bored Dave, a few of us are in the chat.

[maxyedor]

Check the plasma made by Parket Metal Fab. they are Chinese made, but there are guys on Pirate 4x4 who have been using them for 2+ years with only a few small isolated problems. for $399 it's worth looking into, I bought their plasma/tig/stick unit for $700 delivered, havn't gotten a chance to use it yet, but if it lasts me a year or two and pays for a good Miller plasma later it will be worth it.

The main reason I went with Parker over Miller this time is that a 50 amp Miller was well over $1000 more money, their entry level plasma machines just couldn't cope with thick plate. My Parker will suposedly sever around an inch, so 3/16" 1/4" 3/8" and 1/2" should be no problem.

[edl]

searched "parker metal fab" - couldn't find anything??!!

[Visorblue]

searched "parker metal fab" - couldn't find anything??!!

Try these:

http://www.parkermetalworking.com/

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6680138

[fabman_52]

Do a google search for Mitec Welders

[Steel66]

Your biggest concern would be replacement parts. The electrode, gas diffuser, nozzle and nozzle holder all need to be replaced and wear out. Who knows if Harbor Freight will stock these consumables and if they are interchangeable with other more comman machines - Hypertherm, Miller, Lincoln, Thermal Dynamics. Most welding distributors will not stock Chicago Electric parts. One item the machine is missing is an air dryer/moisture trap. You can purchase one and attach it to your machine. moisture in your air supply will destroy a plasma cutter.

[Teddco]

"Your biggest concern would be replacement parts." HF sells a blister pack of two tips, two electrodes and two swirl rings (diffuser) for about $20 that fit their latest cutter with the digital display. Have not seen the tip holder (nozzle) though. It has a Trifamet S45 torch that is made in Italy. HTP sells parts for HF torches too.

[Joe H]

You would be much better off to buy a Thermal Dynamics.

I qwould go with HF WAAAAAAAAAAY before I'd buy one from parker though. At least you can always take one back to HF.

[jamlit]

Just to add something here. I have the harbor freight tig welder. I took the torch into my local miller dealer and they stocked the consumables right on the shelf. I couldn't believe this but it worked out prefect. I believe the consumables were for the miller tig welders and that they fit the HF unit.

I never tried looking to see if any of the plasma consumables were the same as any other brand but you might want to try looking first. I have the TD cutmaster 38, Great machine and well worth the money.

[Wildcat]

You would be much better off to buy a Thermal Dynamics.

I qwould go with HF WAAAAAAAAAAY before I'd buy one from parker though. At least you can always take one back to HF.

I bought a parker Tig/Stick?plasma unit. Works awsome and have dealt with both Phil Jr and Sr. Both we're great guys to deal with.