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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 1,048
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Plasma cutters
I want to buy a plasma cutter to cut out sheet metal on the trucks and such. What's a good price?
Will this do the job? http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=40384
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72 Cheyenne SWB C10 (daily driver) (Super fake cause I just love the glovebox emblem) 70 Camaro RS (frame-off in pieces) 70 Camaro RS (daily driver backup) 69 Custom LWB C10 (son now drives) |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: escondido, ca 92026
Posts: 1,222
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Should be fine for sheet metal, but if you think you'll ever wanna cut a frame or anything thicker than body panels, you'd be better off stepping up to something like this...
http://www.daytonamig.com/plasma.htm
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'72 short step, 350, 700R4, tilt, ps, pdb, a/c, lowered coils, etc., other work in progress... San Diego, CA 72 Stepside Project Last edited by bigvinnie; 09-09-2003 at 12:19 AM. |
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#3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: daytonabeach
Posts: 22,956
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i think you'd be better off with a good jig-saw , if you're lookin to buy a decent plasma cutter expect to pay well over $1200
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71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 1,048
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Thanks for the help! 500-700 sounds more like it since I want be using it much.
I've tried the saws-all and jig - doesn't look like it's going to "cut-it" when going to rocker panels. Besides - it's not as fun! So what's the cheapest I can get a way with on a mig welder? I do understand you get what you pay for ![]() Some of these are dirt cheap.
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72 Cheyenne SWB C10 (daily driver) (Super fake cause I just love the glovebox emblem) 70 Camaro RS (frame-off in pieces) 70 Camaro RS (daily driver backup) 69 Custom LWB C10 (son now drives) |
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#5 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2002
Location: mt juliet, tennessee, usa
Posts: 237
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As far as MIG welders are concerned...I bought
the Lincoln Pro MIG 135. It works really for sheetmetal and light steel. Be careful...some welders are simply wire fed welders (no gas). I have found, after owning both types, that welding with gas gives a much cleaner weld. Of course, like someone on this board told me, the greatest asset a welder can have for welding sheetmetal is patience! At any rate the local home center has the Lincoln 135 for $400 some dollars. I got a 40lb tank of MIG gas from BOC Gases for $114. And...the 135 will also weld aluminum. Jim Mt Juliet ![]() |
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#6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Valley Center KS
Posts: 3,525
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wxman1, is that a 110V or 220V?
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#7 |
Wiseass secured himself a BAN
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: MOON!!!
Posts: 2,282
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I have the Hobart plasma cutter converted to 230v. Good little machine IMO.
I also have a new Millermatic 175 mig welder. Excellent for body work. I also have a new Miller Synchrowave 180 Tig welder. Great for fine detail welding. I need to practice more on the Tig welder... If you want to cut body panels, you want a die grinder with a cut off wheel. |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Tri Valley California
Posts: 792
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I have a hypertherm 1250- It can up up to 7/8" steel. I use it on 1/8" steel all the time. It was also $2200. I can buy a cnc program/table and hook mine up to it and I can cnc parts. Worht every penny!
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Iowa
Posts: 236
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had good luck with thermal dynamics plas. around $1200. Hey 67 fs how do you like that syncro 180? I've been lookin at gettin one.
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you never have too many suburbans.... |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Rhome, TX
Posts: 209
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I recently purchased a Lincoln Pro-cut 25, it uses 110 or 220 and cuts up to 3/8". It was a little over a grand. I was thinking about the Daytona Mig cutter but decided to go with a name brand for future service.
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1968 C10 LWB 327 bored 40 over, RHS heads, KB pistons, Eagle rods, Edlebrock carb & intake 1968 C10 flatbed 307 w/ 4 spd manual (dads old ride) 1936 1/2 tn pickup, 400sb 350 turbo (partially restored) 1949 1/2 tn, needs complete restore (future project) 1969 Chevy impala 4 dr no post (wifes future car) 2010 GMC Serria 4x4 crew, leveling kit |
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#11 |
Currently Blazerless
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: St. Joseph Mo.
Posts: 4,827
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I have an ESAB pcm-500i and woudnt be without it, no matter what kind you buy the key is to have a clean moisture free supply of air, I run a very good filter right on the back of the unit and another downstream at the compressor.
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1972 C/30 133" W.B. C&C 1970 GMC 3500 157" W.B. single wheel C&C |
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#12 |
Glowing since 1978
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Lusby,MD,USA
Posts: 532
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I bought a Hypertherm unit which will severe 1/2" plate and clean cuts up to 3/8". I think it cost me about $900. I would recommend comparing units a little. Consumables can be expensive on some models. Hypertherm has been in the business of plasma cutters since the beginning. No, I don't work for the company. Just love being able to cut through stainless, aluminum, and all things that conduct electricity. They are truly amazing machines. Good luck on your future purchase. Here is a link to the site and the plasma cutter I have. http://www.hypertherm.com/manual/pmax_380.htm
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66 Chevy C30 Stakebody Dump, PS,PB, 327cu in 71 Corvette Coupe 454 4 speed 69 Chevy C20 Custom Camper |
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#13 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2002
Location: mt juliet, tennessee, usa
Posts: 237
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Hey Ackattack:
The Lincoln 135 is 110v. Jim Mt Juliet ![]() |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Paradise TX USA
Posts: 1,200
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I use one of these Henrob 2000 torches for nearly all of my cutting and welding. It takes some practice to get used to it, but for me, it works just as well as a plasma cutter and a mig welder.
I replaced the floorboards, rocker panels, cab corners, A- pillars, and welded up the gas tank filler hole on my 71 GMC using this set up. http://www.cut-like-plasma.com/
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"Negative people always seem to have a problem for every solution" |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Little Rock, Ar
Posts: 124
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This was a good thread. Lots of useful info for someone looking to buy a cutter. Anybody watch Monster House on the Discovery Channel? They give a way an ESAB tool, but I don't remember what it is.
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U.S.A.F. 68' C-10 Stepside 305 w/ 4 speed |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Lafayette, LA
Posts: 500
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I use this...
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=36843 It is really amazing. You can break hacksaw blades in thirds and use them instead of the cheesy blades that come with it. This is the best tool that I have bought from Harbor Freight. There is a cheaper one that looks very similar, but I don't know if it is as powerful. I cut my old cab up into little peices with it, cut my bed floor, frame, etc. They are really handy.
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69 SWB LT1/4L60E www.classicplace.com |
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Paradise TX USA
Posts: 1,200
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I've got one of those little air saws too. They're real handy except they burn up the blades pretty fast. Mine was made by Snap-On, so it cost about 4 times as much as the Harbor Freight one. They were probably made in the same factory in China though.
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"Negative people always seem to have a problem for every solution" |
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Farmers Branch, Tx
Posts: 1,009
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I also have the Lincoln Pro MIG 135. It was $424 at Lowes and it is 110v. Works great without the gas and I cant wait to try it with gas.
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http://www.picturetrail.com/jwill41 67 1/2 ton GMC short step side 68 1/2 ton Chevy long fleet side 72 1/2 ton Chevy Suburban 99 1/2 ton Chevy Suburban founder (and only member) of the primer/clearcoat club |
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: jefferson city, mo
Posts: 1,364
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i have a hypertherm 600 plasma cutter, works great, as for a welder i have a hobart 135 for sheet metal and larger miller welders for other things.
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