14 replies to this topic

[lrostoke]

Very tempted buy a plasma cutter, Probably something like the Cut 40 ebay jobbys, one seller seems to have sold around 3000 of them so seem popular.

Anybody use plasma cutters ??

How do they cope with removing body panels especially floor pans which may have all sorts of underseal on, do you have to clean up the area to be cut first , or will the cutter melt its way through once you get it started ??

Consumables , I believe they have a tip, how long do these last ??

[Shifty]

I wouldn't be without mine!!

Its a cheepo ebay cut 40 job, torch has seen better days and the on/off switch is getting ropey, but I've had it for 4 years and its had some use!!

Its not to bad on underseal, however doesn't like bodyfiller.

The cleaner the metal, the longer the tip lasts as well. I get mine from shop river on ebay, a big pack lasts over 12months.

If you want to have a go with one before you buy, pop over and have a play with mine, I'm not too far from you really.

[lrostoke]

cheers Shifty was hoping you'd reply I recalled you'd got one

Killed 2 grinders last night removing a front pan did end up being 3 layers thick, new pan welded onto original pan, with plates welded from underneath to hide original pan. WHHHYYYYYY ???? In the grinders defence this is 3rd mini the've performed surgery on, oh and a Mondeo sill as well

[TopCatCustom]

I've got 3 pro ones at my disposal and dont often use any of them, they are handy for hacking out old metal but I WAY prefer using a grinder with 1mm slitting discs. We always use good 4.5" grinders and (we are heavy fabricators getting through 3-5 tonnes of steel a week) our grinders (normally bosch) last a good 2-3 years each at least. So much easier than getting all those leads and air lines in the way, finding a good earth and then still having to grind the edge to clean it up, a cut with a slitting disc can't get any better IMO

[ANON]

wouldn't be without mine, got cheapy cobel ones off fleabay and it's great!! a lot less mess than a grinder and a hell of a lot quicker.

[TopCatCustom]

wouldn't be without mine, got cheapy cobel ones off fleabay and it's great!! a lot less mess than a grinder and a hell of a lot quicker.

Quicker including setting it up and then cleaning up the cut edges so it welds nicely with no odd bits of s1ag etc? And they shoot molten metal spray about 6 foot! (not as much as oxy-accetelyene tho )

[Shifty]

Yes, but they can get in areas that the grinder can't and can be used to hack rust away till you're satisfied that its clean metal, if you use a straight edge the cuts are like a knife.

Whats more important is that they are a thousand times quieter than a grinder, no need to worry about the noise upsetting neighbours/waking babies etc.

Once you've made the cut, give it a quick lick back with the grinder and job done.

Even with a cutting disc you still get a burr than needs licking.

[charie t]

our grinders (normally bosch) last a good 2-3 years each at least.

I bet the cables don't

[TopCatCustom]

our grinders (normally bosch) last a good 2-3 years each at least.

I bet the cables don't

no

[nrwilliams]

Hi,

Can I ask how much a cheap plasma cutter is? also do you need a compressor to run one and if so what size compressor?

thanks

Neil

[lrostoke]

On ebay the cheap ones seem to be around the £220 mark inc delivery, yes you need a compressor, can't help on the size.

[Rich.]

Depends entirely on the plasma. Usually around 80 PSI at 6 to 7CFM, but as said it changes depending on the make and model.

You can get plasmas with built in compressors but they're pretty useless unless all you're doing is very light work, they cut out alot as the small inbuilt compressor cant really keep up with the plasma once you start cranking it up, plus they're very expensive for what you get, you can usually pick up a decent size second hand compressor for the price difference, plus you then also have the obvious advantage of owning a compressor.

Rich

[dan1987]

Very tempted buy a plasma cutter, Probably something like the Cut 40 ebay jobbys, one seller seems to have sold around 3000 of them so seem popular.

Anybody use plasma cutters ??

How do they cope with removing body panels especially floor pans which may have all sorts of underseal on, do you have to clean up the area to be cut first , or will the cutter melt its way through once you get it started ??

Consumables , I believe they have a tip, how long do these last ??

You won't regret getting one, you'd be surprised the amount of uses it will have. Get one from ebay or gumtree, you can pick up some good ones.

[lrostoke]

Old topic but brought a Plasma Cutter £200 ebay, This weekend chopped the whole front of my mini off from the doors foreward :)

Some grinding some plasma, like Shifty said good for awkward places...And a lot quieter :) well it was a bank holiday didn't want upset people BBQing
A nice little trick is to use the plasma to make holes from the inside where you want to cut...make a line of them, then from the outside where its easier access join the dots :)

[danie garry]

Even with a cutting disc you still get a burr than needs licking.

u into some weird stuff shifty??!!!
used a plasma cutter a few times but only on thick steel and it seemed to be the most fragile thing in the workshop, half the time it wouldnt arc and then when it did the tip gave up! it was in college so they have no reason to buy cheap seeing as its not their money! all that said they are very good and can be as neat as a grinder in the right hands.....just not mine!!