Plasma cutters under $300.00

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   Well, I decided I needed a plasma. Very surprised how many machines are being offered in this price range (50amp, non-touch, 120/220).Any and all advice/experiences appreciated.
I am looking at these so far:

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jhg Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 07 Nov. 2016 Location: colorado Status: Offline Points: 917	Post Options Post Reply Quote jhg Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Plasma cutters under $300.00 Posted: 23 May 2023 at 9:31am
	Well, I decided I needed a plasma. Very surprised how many machines are being offered in this price range (50amp, non-touch, 120/220). Any and all advice/experiences appreciated. I am looking at these so far:
	1948 cj2a. Rebuilt L-head, steering, T90, WO 636, steering, brake lines. So far.

SE Kansas 46 CJ-2A Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Sponsor Member x 3 Joined: 22 Jan. 2016 Location: S.E. Kansas Status: Offline Points: 3191	Post Options Post Reply Quote SE Kansas 46 CJ-2A Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 May 2023 at 11:57am
	If it were my choice I would make sure that whatever brand I bought had the consumables readily available to order when necessary. Sometimes the company is more interested in the sale of the unit and consumables are hard to come by. Worth checking out. Personally I prefer Miller. Here's one: https://www.millerwelds.com/equipment/plasma-cutters/spectrum-875-m13901 A little pricey...but the quality is there. Edited by SE Kansas 46 CJ-2A - 23 May 2023 at 12:05pm
	46 CJ-2A #64462 "Ol' Red" (bought April 1969)(second owner)(12 V, 11" brakes, M-38 frame, MD Juan tub) U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer(ret.) U.S. Army Vietnam veteran and damned proud of it.

jhg Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 07 Nov. 2016 Location: colorado Status: Offline Points: 917	Post Options Post Reply Quote jhg Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 May 2023 at 12:12pm
	I like the higher quality but realistically, for my limited use, that is money I shouldn't spend. Totally am a quality first user-all my machines/tools that I use frequently are top notch. I will be using the plasma maybe 2-3 times a year, small scope projects like cutting frame pieces for my jeep. One thing I am looking at is 1yr vs 3yr warranty.
	1948 cj2a. Rebuilt L-head, steering, T90, WO 636, steering, brake lines. So far.

Agas46cj Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 09 July 2022 Location: 17569 Status: Offline Points: 267	Post Options Post Reply Quote Agas46cj Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 May 2023 at 8:01pm
	I know this isn’t a plasma cutter, but I do have the yeswelder mig 250 pro welder. I’m extremely happy with the quality of it and they use Lincoln consumables. Based on my experience with their welder I wouldn’t hesitate on their plasma cutter. I would expect consumables for their plasma cutter to be readily available

nofender Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Sponsor Member x 3 Joined: 10 May 2016 Location: Maryland Status: Offline Points: 2035	Post Options Post Reply Quote nofender Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24 May 2023 at 5:30am
	I had a plasma cutter branded as a Parker Metals unit. I took a chance with it as they offered a pretty good warranty at the time. It lasted a decade! Yes it did finally die. But it cut a lot of metal over that time span. I recently bought another cheap off brand. Can't recall the brand and it's at a friend's house at the moment. Rips right through 1/4 inch with no issue. Quite happy with it. Would I rather a Miller or Esab? Absolutely. But for the buck and the amount I use it these days, I couldn't justify it.
	46 CJ2a rockcrawler 46 CJ2a - 26819 46 Bantam T3c "4366" 47 Bantam T3C - 11800 68-ish CJ5

jhg Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 07 Nov. 2016 Location: colorado Status: Offline Points: 917	Post Options Post Reply Quote jhg Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24 May 2023 at 12:00pm
	Before I pull the trigger will see what is out there in this class (50amp) 1yr warranty vs 3yr warranty. Primeweld with 3yr warranty. 239.99 to my door. Great reviews on support. Edited by jhg - 24 May 2023 at 12:21pm
	1948 cj2a. Rebuilt L-head, steering, T90, WO 636, steering, brake lines. So far.

dasvis Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Sponsor Member Joined: 07 Sep. 2019 Location: Salem, Oregon Status: Offline Points: 1546	Post Options Post Reply Quote dasvis Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24 May 2023 at 12:37pm
	That’s cheap Keep us posted on longevity if you buy it.
	1947 CJ2A #88659 "Rat Patrol" 1953 CJ3A #453-GB1 11266 "Black Beauty" 1964 Thunderbird convertible ..... & one of them moves under it's own power!!

jhg Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 07 Nov. 2016 Location: colorado Status: Offline Points: 917	Post Options Post Reply Quote jhg Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24 May 2023 at 12:40pm
	The Primeweld non-touch is 299.00. I wonder if that feature is worth the extra $60.00. The Yesweld says its non-touch, but users say it is not. Then there is also the warranty difference between the two brands, 1 vs 3yrs.
	1948 cj2a. Rebuilt L-head, steering, T90, WO 636, steering, brake lines. So far.

Downs Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 08 Sep. 2021 Location: Hunt County Tex Status: Offline Points: 179	Post Options Post Reply Quote Downs Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 May 2023 at 11:06am
	I bought an Amazon plasma cutter about 3 years ago now after having to spend the night in the Hospital after I pretty seriously injured myself removing a welded on bumper from a CJ5. While I was laying in the hospital bed after surgery, I placed the order. Figured a plasma cutter would make multiple jobs I was needing to do much easier and was cheaper than another hospital stay. That plasma cutter is still going strong except for replacing the usual consumables and has helped with many jobs around the shop including cutting off another welded on bumper from my current project YJ. Here's the one I bought that was 230 dollars and was a dual voltage unit able to run 110 or 220. I pretty much always run it on 220. My suggestion is to not bother with a 110 only unit. Here's the bumper I hurt myself with. About 5 minutes after taking this video I was packing my leg with gauze and making a pressure bandage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CY4ajsvVuc&ab_channel=JoshDowns
	1946...ish CJ2A 1976 CJ5 1995 XJ

jhg Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 07 Nov. 2016 Location: colorado Status: Offline Points: 917	Post Options Post Reply Quote jhg Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 25 May 2023 at 10:27pm
	I ordered the Yeswelder over the Primeweld, even though Primeweld has a better warranty. I was wrong about the price on the Primeweld with the non-touch option. That machine is going for $399. The Yeswelder is $249.99 plus 10% off that sale price from weldgurus. Usually this cutter goes for about $400+. With the Yeswelder I get: 55amp power Non-touch start Auto tip cooling 2T & 4T/trigger lock Air delivery while using not cutting.Usually on cheaper machines you have to be cutting to have air delivery (vs just air in the hose). Nice if you want to blow dust off a piece or etc Overload protection. Not all cheap machines offer this feature. Edited by jhg - 26 May 2023 at 10:32am
	1948 cj2a. Rebuilt L-head, steering, T90, WO 636, steering, brake lines. So far.

bight Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Sponsor Member x 2 Joined: 20 Aug. 2020 Location: mid coast maine Status: Offline Points: 1681	Post Options Post Reply Quote bight Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 May 2023 at 8:17am
	please please, report back. thanks for posting this topic.
	CJ-2A 72586 tan (stock) CJ-2A 197624 green (resto-mod) the wife abides (def: to bear patiently; TOLERATE)

jhg Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 07 Nov. 2016 Location: colorado Status: Offline Points: 917	Post Options Post Reply Quote jhg Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 May 2023 at 9:59am
	Will do. I should have it up and running next week.
	1948 cj2a. Rebuilt L-head, steering, T90, WO 636, steering, brake lines. So far.

IRQVET Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 03 Sep. 2019 Location: Tallahassee, FL Status: Offline Points: 423	Post Options Post Reply Quote IRQVET Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 May 2023 at 7:22pm
	You could spend alittle more and get a refrurbed Hobart like I did from the www.hobartweldshop.com I think mine was right about $500 shipped to my door. Then at least consumables and parts are abundant. Both my welder and my plasma cutter are Hobart refurbs, best money ever spent IMHO. Prices are crazy right now, but 4 years ago I was into the pair for like $1,200 bucks. Plus their not a cheap Chineese buzz box with no support. Can’t go wrong with one of the American “Big 3” Miller, Lincoln, Hobart. Edited by IRQVET - 29 May 2023 at 7:28pm
	Dean Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran 49' CJ2A w/ GPA Engine #8924 67 CJ5 (Sold)