Plasma cutter from Harbor Freight

[jjarky]

Recently purchased a plasma cutter from Harbor Freight. I know, I know, Harbor Freight, RUN AWAY, RUN AWAY!! But it actually does a great job for the price. I bought the biggest one they had, 220v, 40amp. It says it will rough cut up to 1/2", I have clean cut 1/4" angle easily with it.

As with most things from Harbor Freight, I'm sure it does'nt have the duty cycle needed to "make a living" but for occasional use, it sure beats a cut off wheel.

They are regularly on sale for $650 and Harbor puts out coupons for 20% off any single item. I got mine for $520. They told me I had 30 days to bring it back if I was'nt happy with it. Full refund. I've had it for 6 months now and its worked perfect. Worked great for mini-tubbing the Nova.

I wanted one for a long time but did'nt want to shell out a $1000.

Just thought I'd post this incase someone else has been looking for one.

[awr68]

Good to know! I sure could have used that over the years! I have a nice welder....but don't have a plasma cutter and have killed a few boxes of cut-off wheels over the years! Good to know there is an affordable option for the 'hobbyist'! Normally I would be all about buying quality...but sometimes you have to be real about it! I could have used this a ton on my project since most of the cutting was lighter guage material....and a few brackets. :thumbsup:

[JRouche]

Good to hear you are happy with it. And at a 1000 bucks its prolly one of their better units. Only thing that worries me about buying some welding machines from HF is the consumables. Never know when they are here one day and gone the next. But.... No one says you cant adapt the torch to use more common consumables in the future if you need to.

One welder I did buy from them was the spot welder. Its an exact copy of the miller LMSW-52 for what I can tell. Solly for the mini-hijack. Just in case you are looking for a spot welder also.. Cant have too many welders :)

Here is a review I did on the spot welder from HF if interested. JR

http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/showthread.php?t=13691

[1HTBRRD]

Hijack

I wanted to throw my 2 cents on harbor freight tools..... they are kinda like gambling, I have bought their cheap $19.99 grinders and had them last 5 hours, but the last one I bought is going on 3 years and many many projects of all sorts.

[jjarky]

Good to hear you are happy with it. And at a 1000 bucks its prolly one of their better units. Only thing that worries me about buying some welding machines from HF is the consumables. Never know when they are here one day and gone the next. But.... No one says you cant adapt the torch to use more common consumables in the future if you need to.

One welder I did buy from them was the spot welder. Its an exact copy of the miller LMSW-52 for what I can tell. Solly for the mini-hijack. Just in case you are looking for a spot welder also.. Cant have too many welders :)

Here is a review I did on the spot welder from HF if interested. JR

http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/showthread.php?t=13691

It was actually only $520. I just said I did'nt want to spend a $1000. Thats what a nice small Miller goes for. I'll check out the spot welder, definetly would come in handy. Thanks.

[jjarky]

Hijack

I wanted to throw my 2 cents on harbor freight tools..... they are kinda like gambling, I have bought their cheap $19.99 grinders and had them last 5 hours, but the last one I bought is going on 3 years and many many projects of all sorts.


I hear ya. Roll the dice!

[jjarky]

Good to hear you are happy with it. And at a 1000 bucks its prolly one of their better units. Only thing that worries me about buying some welding machines from HF is the consumables. Never know when they are here one day and gone the next. But.... No one says you cant adapt the torch to use more common consumables in the future if you need to.

One welder I did buy from them was the spot welder. Its an exact copy of the miller LMSW-52 for what I can tell. Solly for the mini-hijack. Just in case you are looking for a spot welder also.. Cant have too many welders :)

Here is a review I did on the spot welder from HF if interested. JR

http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/showthread.php?t=13691

Roger that on the consumables. I bought 3 extra packs of tips while i was there. Just in case.

[Scott Hightower]

For those who have never used one, a Plasma torch provides a much cleaner cut with very little dross. Since there heat affected zone is much smaller, warping is minimal making it an excellent tool for automotive sheet metal work.

Scott
Fab Manager
Welders360 (http://www.welders360.com/)

[jy211]

Whatever brand you buy make sure it's not the end of the model year. I bought mine from a welding supply, just as they were changing models. The guy who sold it to me, never said a word. A week later, mine busted and they had to replace a main circuit board under warranty. Now 2 years later it's taken another crap and it's cheaper to buy a new one than to fix. If they offer extended warranties on them, pay for it. :lol:

[ed1le]

I hear ya. Roll the dice!

+1 I have an air grinder, cutting wheel, body saw & sheers from them...at about $19 each on average, and being a hobbyist, if one breaks no biggie. Still ahead of the game replacing one vs. spending $100 each on professional grade pieces. I spent $500 for my Lincoln welder figuring that would be something that would last me for years to come. However, I've held of on a plasma cutter for the same reason as you...a grand is a lot of money for a tool I'd only use here and there.

[98ssnova]

have you used only on your car? and you have had no problems with it pretty good

[out2kayak]

For those who have never used one, a Plasma torch provides a much cleaner cut with very little dross. Since there heat affected zone is much smaller, warping is minimal making it an excellent tool for automotive sheet metal work.

Scott
Fab Manager
Welders360 (http://www.welders360.com/)

I agree. Just picked up my Hypertherm Powermax45 and am almost giddy with it.

Fair warning, lock away any metal you want to keep. You'd be suprised what looks like scrap metal ready to burn through with one of these in your hands.:D

:cheers:

[jr2226]

for what snap on wants for there tools these days HF is a good tool for pennys. ex mini angle grinder snap on 239.00 hf 19.95 thats one new one for the next year .i dont think you will burn out 12 of them . this all means more money to spend on the car.:thumbsup: i my self have a esab 650 pro cut and LOVE IT. 1900.00 the best i have ever used makes very clean cuts metal cleaned or not

[GregWeld]

BIG difference between DISPOSABLE tools like die grinders ---- and a lifetime (10 to 20 years worth) of use from a good machine.

Die grinders for $20 at HF are fine -- except that you should wait for when they put them on sale at $9.95 and buy a half a dozen of them like I do....

I buy hand tools from Snap-On :yes: They'll last you a lifetime ---- But I do not buy rebadged welders and air compressors... for twice what they're worth...:_paranoid