Plazma cutter for truck work recommendations? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Rod · 02-25-2005, 10:15 PM

What' a good size and brand of Plazma cutter to work on these truck with.... I expect it would need to cut frames and such also, beside body panels.

Are Hobart 400 any good?

Seen some off shore stuff come up recently also, besides the already known off shore stuff..

72402 · 02-26-2005, 12:03 AM

I have an ESAB HP 125. It's a 115 volt unit with 12 amp output and a built-in compressor. It works great for sheetmetal, but not very good on anything heavier than 14 guage. It'll burn through 1/8", but I wouldn't call it a cut. I'd recommend at least a 20 amp output if you want cut a frame. The last shop I worked in had a Matco, 115 volt unit with 20 amp output and I used it for everything up 1/4". It would cut 1/8" really clean. The built-in air compressor feature is really nice on the ESAB, I don't know how they are on other brands. Shop the internet, I got a lot better deal on mine than buying from the local supply houses, but then there's warranty issues to think about.

**kwmech** · 02-26-2005, 03:10 AM

I have used the Thermal Dynamics for years and realy like they way they perform, I just bought a new one for home, Cutmaster 101 -- it will cut through 1-1/4'' plate. A little heavy for small work like you describe, but that's what I need for my work. You may want to look into maybe a Cutmaster 81.

Rod · 02-26-2005, 10:22 AM

I'm thinking around the 3/8 range of cutting...possibly a Horbart 400 or aka Miller 375, a Thermal Dynamics cutmaster 38, or Hypertherm Powermax 380.

From what I read you pretty much want to have the clean cutting abilty of twice what you normal would be working with.

I might be a little under rated at 3/8" for cutting frames but surfed some and read it could be enough.

I see the smaller ones that have built in compressors, but think more than not work may heavier than the 1/8 their rated for.

What do people have in their home shops?

ddsmith · 02-26-2005, 11:09 AM

I have the Hypertherm 380. I've got to say that it was one buying decision that I do not regret. Hypertherm has been in the business for a long time and seem to be excellent on consumable life. Check out the www.torchmate.com web site. This is not a hypertherm web site but they use hypertherm plasma cutters for their units. This is a very interesting site for anyone curious of what a plasma cutter can do but they run really big units to allow punch through of material being cut. I thought hard about maybe building a servo/stepper table and buying a big cutter but space and amount I would use it are an issue. It would be great to cut just about any design out of metal though.

stelth2002 · 02-26-2005, 12:52 PM

The hypertherm has never given me a problem. The consumables are pretty cheap and it will cut 1 inch without a sweat. I wouldnt go with an internal compressor either. Sometimes its nice to turn up the pressure for some of the thicker cuts. I dont know if you can do that on a smaller unit. My vote.

Rod · 02-27-2005, 10:54 AM

ttt

Blue Beard · 02-27-2005, 12:08 PM

I've got a Miller 110 volt unit that's been able to handle everything so far...

Rod · 02-27-2005, 03:37 PM

Blue Beard...The built in fan unit( 125C unit) or a bigger say the 375 model? Both those could use 110volt.

Rod · 03-26-2005, 03:33 PM

TTT hey blue beard...which one you got?
Any other played with smaller 220 volt unit..the cutmaster 38 or similar? your opinions?

Pickemuptruck71 · 03-27-2005, 12:37 AM

My 2 pennies worth here, the Henrob 2000..........plasmalike cutter and sheetmetal gas welder

http://www.cut-like-plasma.com/

02-25-2005, 10:15 PM	#1
Rod Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Eastern - Manitoba Canada, Winnipeg Posts: 4,369	Plazma cutter for truck work recommendations? What' a good size and brand of Plazma cutter to work on these truck with.... I expect it would need to cut frames and such also, beside body panels. Are Hobart 400 any good? Seen some off shore stuff come up recently also, besides the already known off shore stuff.. __________________ Senior active founding member. 70 3/4 ton GMC Suburban 4x4 250/4 spd. 71 1/2 ton Suburban Chevy 4x4, 350/350 72 Chev 1 ton tow truck 402BB w/Holmes 440 wrecker on propane 2005 FLSTSCI Harley Springer 85 FXSB Harley Lowrider 72 Triumph 650 Bonneville 5spd "Poor people don't have hobbies" Quote from wife.

02-26-2005, 12:03 AM	#2
72402 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Cameron, Oklahoma Posts: 199	Plasma Cutter I have an ESAB HP 125. It's a 115 volt unit with 12 amp output and a built-in compressor. It works great for sheetmetal, but not very good on anything heavier than 14 guage. It'll burn through 1/8", but I wouldn't call it a cut. I'd recommend at least a 20 amp output if you want cut a frame. The last shop I worked in had a Matco, 115 volt unit with 20 amp output and I used it for everything up 1/4". It would cut 1/8" really clean. The built-in air compressor feature is really nice on the ESAB, I don't know how they are on other brands. Shop the internet, I got a lot better deal on mine than buying from the local supply houses, but then there's warranty issues to think about.

02-26-2005, 10:22 AM	#4
Rod Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Eastern - Manitoba Canada, Winnipeg Posts: 4,369	I'm thinking around the 3/8 range of cutting...possibly a Horbart 400 or aka Miller 375, a Thermal Dynamics cutmaster 38, or Hypertherm Powermax 380. From what I read you pretty much want to have the clean cutting abilty of twice what you normal would be working with. I might be a little under rated at 3/8" for cutting frames but surfed some and read it could be enough. I see the smaller ones that have built in compressors, but think more than not work may heavier than the 1/8 their rated for. What do people have in their home shops? __________________ Senior active founding member. 70 3/4 ton GMC Suburban 4x4 250/4 spd. 71 1/2 ton Suburban Chevy 4x4, 350/350 72 Chev 1 ton tow truck 402BB w/Holmes 440 wrecker on propane 2005 FLSTSCI Harley Springer 85 FXSB Harley Lowrider 72 Triumph 650 Bonneville 5spd "Poor people don't have hobbies" Quote from wife.

02-26-2005, 11:09 AM	#5
ddsmith Glowing since 1978 Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Lusby,MD,USA Posts: 532	I have the Hypertherm 380. I've got to say that it was one buying decision that I do not regret. Hypertherm has been in the business for a long time and seem to be excellent on consumable life. Check out the www.torchmate.com web site. This is not a hypertherm web site but they use hypertherm plasma cutters for their units. This is a very interesting site for anyone curious of what a plasma cutter can do but they run really big units to allow punch through of material being cut. I thought hard about maybe building a servo/stepper table and buying a big cutter but space and amount I would use it are an issue. It would be great to cut just about any design out of metal though. __________________ 66 Chevy C30 Stakebody Dump, PS,PB, 327cu in 71 Corvette Coupe 454 4 speed 69 Chevy C20 Custom Camper

02-26-2005, 12:52 PM	#6
stelth2002 Young Gun wth Fast Inline Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Idaho Posts: 1,475	The hypertherm has never given me a problem. The consumables are pretty cheap and it will cut 1 inch without a sweat. I wouldnt go with an internal compressor either. Sometimes its nice to turn up the pressure for some of the thicker cuts. I dont know if you can do that on a smaller unit. My vote. __________________ 1967 Chevrolet LWB with built 292! 415 ft. lbs of torque, 4 speed :O with 27% overdrive too, 3.73 Posi. Frame and body done... getting painted!!!

02-26-2005, 03:10 AM	#3
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,630	I have used the Thermal Dynamics for years and realy like they way they perform, I just bought a new one for home, Cutmaster 101 -- it will cut through 1-1/4'' plate. A little heavy for small work like you describe, but that's what I need for my work. You may want to look into maybe a Cutmaster 81.

02-27-2005, 10:54 AM	#7
Rod Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Eastern - Manitoba Canada, Winnipeg Posts: 4,369	ttt __________________ Senior active founding member. 70 3/4 ton GMC Suburban 4x4 250/4 spd. 71 1/2 ton Suburban Chevy 4x4, 350/350 72 Chev 1 ton tow truck 402BB w/Holmes 440 wrecker on propane 2005 FLSTSCI Harley Springer 85 FXSB Harley Lowrider 72 Triumph 650 Bonneville 5spd "Poor people don't have hobbies" Quote from wife.

02-27-2005, 12:08 PM	#8
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,831	I've got a Miller 110 volt unit that's been able to handle everything so far... __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo

02-27-2005, 03:37 PM	#9
Rod Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Eastern - Manitoba Canada, Winnipeg Posts: 4,369	Blue Beard...The built in fan unit( 125C unit) or a bigger say the 375 model? Both those could use 110volt. __________________ Senior active founding member. 70 3/4 ton GMC Suburban 4x4 250/4 spd. 71 1/2 ton Suburban Chevy 4x4, 350/350 72 Chev 1 ton tow truck 402BB w/Holmes 440 wrecker on propane 2005 FLSTSCI Harley Springer 85 FXSB Harley Lowrider 72 Triumph 650 Bonneville 5spd "Poor people don't have hobbies" Quote from wife.

03-26-2005, 03:33 PM	#10
Rod Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Eastern - Manitoba Canada, Winnipeg Posts: 4,369	TTT hey blue beard...which one you got? Any other played with smaller 220 volt unit..the cutmaster 38 or similar? your opinions? __________________ Senior active founding member. 70 3/4 ton GMC Suburban 4x4 250/4 spd. 71 1/2 ton Suburban Chevy 4x4, 350/350 72 Chev 1 ton tow truck 402BB w/Holmes 440 wrecker on propane 2005 FLSTSCI Harley Springer 85 FXSB Harley Lowrider 72 Triumph 650 Bonneville 5spd "Poor people don't have hobbies" Quote from wife.

03-27-2005, 12:37 AM	#11
Pickemuptruck71 Coast 2 Coast in 61 mins. Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Canton, Illinois Posts: 33	My 2 pennies worth here, the Henrob 2000..........plasmalike cutter and sheetmetal gas welder http://www.cut-like-plasma.com/



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