Budget plasma - anyone used Ramsond, or should I keep looking?

[GMCMG]

I am new to body work, but finally recently bought a mig. Now I am trying to figure out how to squeeze some money out of my limited truck budget for a plasma so I can cut some things to weld!

I have 220 in my garage, and 40 or 50 amps is no problem. I have a (small) compressor, so not much concern there. I have read a lot of 'buy the biggest capacity you can afford'. I have never used a plasma torch before. My wife is not at all interested in me spending any money, as I just bought a welder, so I was looking hard at cheap.

I have read quite a few good things about the Ramsond 50DY, for a budget-minded plasma. It has capacity for probably anything I would want to do down the road. The only negative I have seen, even for a hobby-level user, is the cheap torch on the end.

My questions:
1) Does anyone here have any experience with Ramsond, and what are your thoughts?
2)If I go Ramsond, any suggestions on upgrading the torch?
3) Are there better options for a budget plasma cutter?
4) Should I forget 'budget', and just wait until I have enough saved up for something better? If better, what?
5) I come to this site because I value the opinions and experience here; tell me what you have and why you like it or hate it! I really like knowing the 'why'.

[Notch1988]

I've got a Longevity brand plasma and have no complaints. I like the pilot arc feature which I'm not sure the Ramsond has. Here's a link to the one I've got...
http://www.longevity-inc.com/product...rceCut-50i.php

Plus the Longevity has a 5 year warranty. If you check pirate4x4, Longevity runs monthly specials on there.

[Notch1988]

Couple action shots from today using my Longevity plasma. I was cutting up a frame and it worked awesome.

[jitteryguy]

Originally Posted by Notch1988

Couple action shots from today using my Longevity plasma. I was cutting up a frame and it worked awesome.

you should get your wife to let ya move back in the house or get Nomex sheets for your bed !

[GMCMG]

Originally Posted by jitteryguy

you should get your wife to let ya move back in the house or get Nomex sheets for your bed !

Doesn't everyone have a bed in their garage? I've got a queen in the garage so I have enough space for me and whatever new purchase got me kicked out of my wife's bed!

[jitteryguy]

Originally Posted by GMCMG

Doesn't everyone have a bed in their garage? I've got a queen in the garage so I have enough space for me and whatever new purchase got me kicked out of my wife's bed!

thats why I have a stationwagon, so I have a place to sleep !

[_Ogre]

i have to ask why you need a plasma?
i use to own a torch, i also have access to a torch and plasma.

the tool i use when ever i cut? 4 inch grinder with a cutting blade on it.
the torch only comes out when we need to heat a nut red hot.
the plasma rarely comes out, ever.
both are easily accessible next to the welding area and hooked up.

unless your cutting a lot of heavy gauge metal all the time, imo it's not worth it.
i bought a torch set when i first started my truck, sold it 2 yrs later with original gas in the tanks.
i was a pipefitter/fabricator in a previous life, i know how to make a clean cut with a torch/plasma cutter.

in the time it takes to clean up a torch or plasma cut, you can cut it with a grinder.

[chevy88]

I was going to say what Ogre said, If you want cheap just use the 4 inch grider with cutting blade.

[GMCMG]

Thanks, guys, for the input so far.

I have a grinder and cut-off wheels, and have used them with some success on body panels. But I have found many areas where they provide a less-than-desireable cut. For one, cutting a radius. Getting into relatively tight areas. Cutting a specific shape without having to spend a lot of time on clean-up or wasting a bunch of material around the part.

Or is there something I haven't figured out on the grinder?

I don't own an o/a torch, and when considering how much I will spend on a torch and tank leases, I will be very well along toward the purchase of a plasma.

Thoughts?

[jitteryguy]

for home use (unless you plan to uparmor your truck) a 3/8 rate'd is plenty and will cut thicker , just may time out a few times durin the cut.
the biggest thing to look at is the cost of replacement tip's.
I recently bought an EastWood VersaCut, the tip are very reasonably priced. but I wont get home for about 4 more months to really see how it work's.
I do agree that a plasma is overkill for at home body work.
a 4" grinder, Sawzall or jig saw should make any body work cut's you need.

[Weasel Diesel]

I have the Eastwood Versa-cut. 599.00... I like it right much. You can plug it into either 110 or 220. It senses the change and switches itself over.
http://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-plasma-cutter.html

[stevieB]

X2 on the longevity, I have the force cut 40d and love it, and it has not let me down for less then 500 bucks with a roller guide.

5 year warranty good customer service, and simple operation works awesome.

[RAYDAY]

i have 5 floting around only got the miler xtreme 375 new rest all came from craigslist or auctions.
Millers nice small easy to move but not to good over 1/8 it was $1300 new
hypertherm powermax 600 and 800 both real nice not real big good up to 1/2 easy paid $800 for the 600
esab 1000i bigger cuts good was ok its old like 10yrs maybe? inherited it from my dad.
hypertherms and esab all used on my cnc table only esab is just a back up now. started with the 600 got the 800 on graigslist for $700 so i upgraded
and last a thermo dynamics cutmaster 38 used the most for cutting around the shop. like it alot when its on 220v got it for $500