Do you think a plasma cutter is essential for a DIY garage shop

[Johnnyappleseed]

Do you think a plasma cutter is essential for a DIY garage shop.

Not that I could afford it right away since I am just starting out but thoughts on plasma cutter?

Can I go cheaper on the plasma cutter?

[griff01]

NO. And going cheap when you do get a plasma cutter will not be good.

Griff

[Oldgrandad]

Is it essential, absolutely not. Can you go cheap, you can but you SHOULD NOT. I have a small ESAB handy plasma 550 had it for years no problems. My son has a hypotherm also runs flawless. You can make lots of cool stuff with them it's all about what your going to do in your garage. Here is a Mermaid I made for my wife with the ESAB, It's back lit with leds lights. Looks even better at night.

[Aeronca41]

Agree. Not essential. I had a DIY garage shop for 40 years without one. But, when I finally bought the Powermax 45....WOW! What a tool. And I'll repeat the above. Don't try to save a buck by buying cheap. I did a lot of research, and had to save longer, but I don't regret the extra bucks for Hypertherm for one second. Awesome tool. And great people to deal with.

[Broccoli1]

Yup- not needed but oh so handy

[aametalmaster]

No from me too. If you get one don't go cheap. And just remember replacement parts aren't cheap. Like tips and electrodes...Bob

[OscarJr]

I have a cheap one for now, and I find it almost indispensable. Just hook up the air to it (which is usually pressurized and ready), turn it on, and you're off to cutting. A lot faster than Oxy-acet on thinner stuff <1/2" or so. Probably more like 3/8". Unless you go with a plasma that has much more than 40A and a high cutting voltage. A cheaper plasma usually has cheaper consumables like electrodes, nozzles, swirl rings, etc. Don't trust me; just go on YouTube and check out the videos comparing plasma to O-A cutting.

[Olivero]

Yes, yes. Not essential but comes in handy at times.

I built stuff for 2 years without one, then I had to do an 8" schd 40 steel pipe job and we got one there, kept it ever since

[ryanjones2150]

Well I'll have to disagree with everyone and say it's absolutely not possible to build anything without a plasma cutter. Ever. If you don't have a plasma cutter, you'll just have to become a couch potato. <br />
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Serioislty....for a home shop, I think you'd be better off investing the plasma cutter money into a better welder when you finally decide what to buy from your other thread. If you're doing mostly home fab work, drag car stuff and odds-n-ends, you'll use your angle grinder and a cut off wheel far more often. And if this means you're looking harder at one of those machines that migs, tigs, stick welds, plasma cuts and makes you a cup of coffee while narrating your favorite nursery rhyme all at once....you ain't gonna be happy with it. Your plasma cutter poops out, you've probably lost your welder too, and probably the nursery rhymes. But maybe a unicorn will come fix it.<br />
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Plasma cutter not required to win this contest.

[Olivero]

Ryan's got it. Couldn't have said it better myself.

[Aeronca41]

Well I'll have to disagree with everyone and say it's absolutely not possible to build anything without a plasma cutter. Ever. If you don't have a plasma cutter, you'll just have to become a couch potato. <br />
<br />
Serioislty....for a home shop, I think you'd be better off investing the plasma cutter money into a better welder when you finally decide what to buy from your other thread. If you're doing mostly home fab work, drag car stuff and odds-n-ends, you'll use your angle grinder and a cut off wheel far more often. And if this means you're looking harder at one of those machines that migs, tigs, stick welds, plasma cuts and makes you a cup of coffee while narrating your favorite nursery rhyme all at once....you ain't gonna be happy with it. Your plasma cutter poops out, you've probably lost your welder too, and probably the nursery rhymes. But maybe a unicorn will come fix it.<br />
<br />
Plasma cutter not required to win this contest.

+1. Better stated than I put it earlier. I love my plasma cutter, but didn't get it until the more important stuff was purchased--years later. And avoid those "do everything (until the day they do nothing)" machines. ...and those unicorns are so incredibly tough to find when you really need one.

[Lostone]

I didn't have one for 10 years at home and work in the mining industry for 17 years without one. But when I used one for the first time it was like when the cavemen first controlled fire. I knew I "need" one.

Ryan spot on. If anything invest in a small oxy- acetylene rig. Then get good with cutting with it. I'd rate it above any other piece of shop equipment behind a welder. You'll find more places and things to use that for that a plasma can't do. Plus it can always be used where you don't have a plug to plug into.

[Aeronca41]

.......,But when I used one for the first time it was like when the cavemen first controlled fire. I knew I "need" one.

That is just a fantastic description of the amazement I felt the first time I used one! You just stand back in disbelief.

[Sandyg]

I have had one in my home shop for about 8 years (Spectrum 625). I don't use it as much as the welders, but every time I do I am thankful I have it. I used to pull the jig saw out for many of the jobs and it would take hours on thick material, the plasma cutter lays waste to anything in it's path and without much fuss. Cutting stainless? Plasma cutter, thick steel, Plasma cutter, sheet metal Plasma cutter. Just a bit of sandy mess on clean up .

As others have said get a good one, but save the spend for a good welder and related first. Then get it and smile after you cut the 1/2" steel plate in short order. A friend has an El-Cheep-O and while it works ok, his torch had odd consumables and non-insulated tip so had to be careful with touching.

One thing to not forget to budget for is an air dryer for the plasma machine. I got a used commercial one epay that I have a different feed off my compressor, never needs replacing, and not badly priced used.

Out of all the welding tools I was most excited to get a plasma cutter

Sandy

[Olivero]

I fabricated and repaired for 1 or 2 years without one, first time I used one was like tying my shoes for the first time, so much easier to work!

Same thing as when I got my first unitized wheel for stainless instead of hand polishing.