Why do you need one would be my question?

If you are in business where you are cutting a lot of stuff out I could see a need. I have done quite a bit of metal work and can not find that I can justify buying one at that money.

Quite frankly the money would be much better spent on a TIG welder and renting some videos on metal working.

For metal cutting I find that electric metal shears are nice, but not essential. A sawsall, quality hand shears, and a jigsaw will do just about everything you need as long as you truly understand metal working. I have found that metal working really does not need a lot of expensive tools, it does really need a desire to research and learn how to use simple tools effectively.

BTW, I picked up the electric metal shears at a garage sale real cheap and that is the only reason I have them. I see now you can pick up some cheap chinese versions cheap. Normally the shears are around $600.

 

For a hobbyist, the Chicago Electric one that my dad picked up at Harbor Freight a few years ago seems to work well. Only sees action once every couple months, but we haven't had any problems with it.

 

I have a Miller, it was a small bit over $1000 with some of the accessories, but it is rock solid. Do I really need it for hobby work--NO. Would I buy it again--probably not because I don't use it that much. Do I like having it--HECK YES!!! It makes quick work out of soooo many projects.

Keep in mind, you will probably need a 20A circuit to use it.

 

Why do you need one would be my question?

If you are in business where you are cutting a lot of stuff out I could see a need. I have done quite a bit of metal work and can not find that I can justify buying one at that money.

Quite frankly the money would be much better spent on a TIG welder and renting some videos on metal working.

For metal cutting I find that electric metal shears are nice, but not essential. A sawsall, quality hand shears, and a jigsaw will do just about everything you need as long as you truly understand metal working. I have found that metal working really does not need a lot of expensive tools, it does really need a desire to research and learn how to use simple tools effectively.

BTW, I picked up the electric metal shears at a garage sale real cheap and that is the only reason I have them. I see now you can pick up some cheap chinese versions cheap. Normally the shears are around $600.

It's hard (impossible?) to justify the expense for a hobbyist. I found one at a swap meet - brand new for $700. I was planning a big repair job that involved lots of sheetmetal cutting (quarters, floors, cowl, etc.) and was sick and tired of cutoff wheels.

Also, I have a small circle of friends who each has unique tools that we each can borrow. No one had a plasma cutter, so that was my contribution to the effort. I've used their engine hoist, rotisserie, sandblaster, welder, etc. so...

Most will say "it's not worth it". But, I can definitely say I don't regret the purchase. It has made my project go immeasurably more easily. Like any such "unnecessary" tool, you find uses for it that weren't part of the original plan. It makes more than just the target job easier.

I was doing some termite repair. I had to remove the "base plate" 2x4 that was nailed to the slab. In order to get the new base plate in (without removing the wall studs), I had to somehow remove the nails. How I would have gotten some of them without my plasma cutter is still a mystery. Who would have predicted that one?

 

I'm a hobbyist, and I have to use oxy/acet to cut a lot of metal.. Plasma would be much better.. Would have been a good purchase for me, if I could afford it.

 

i used one today

it was my pick to get old metal out of the way quick without destroying what i wanted to save

this is the only thing i use one for

for cuting new metal i like aircraft snips or a cut off wheel

chris

 

I have two hobbies that I could use my plasma cutter on, my mustang builds and my Rockcrawler. Never used it on the mustang but used it a ton on the Rock crawler. I like the jigsaw for cutting thin metal, does a nice job.

 

I have a Lincoln unit and love it! You can cut any shape you can draw w/ a marker. You can cut straight lines that are ALMOST smooth.Similar to hacksaw finish.I use mine for floor replacement,any sheet metal repairs,1/4 repairs.No distortion. You can access areas not possible w /cutoff wheels. Cut small radius to suit. I find it as valuable as my darkening welding helmet.......sure I got along w/o for years, but would buy another in a heartbeat.No, I am not a salesman for Lincoln,or any other supplier Is there another area to spend $1,000 BEFORE buying one? Depends on what else you are going to do in the next 25 years.......

 

oh, i totaly agree that the money could be better spent elsewhere! but i currently have about 15 mustang projects and i to am tired of those damn cutting wheels,sawsall and jigsaw.i figured if it helps with time,get nice cuts and you can pretty much cut anything up to say 3/8 to 1/2" with nice cuts then i'm good with that! besides its a new neat tool....i own my home out right,i own my cars out right,i don't owe on any credits cards,so i think what the hell, if it save's me time...and time is money! i wont be useing it every day but when i do it should make the job easyer.all the guys that i have talked to that have one loves them! also probably going to get a better wire feed welder, i have the lincoln 3200 and here that its not a very good one so etheir will get a 175 lincoln or a miller for 600. i would like to just start doing these metal jobs myself now instead of paying to get it done, was just getting your opinions on this.we all have some tools that we really didn't have't to buy! Jim

 

I have a 20-ton hydraulic press that I bought [what I thought] just to press off/on a set of axle bearings once in a blue moon, because I found it to be a big hassle to take the axles to a shop and pay them to press the bearings. After I bought it, I can't count the number of times I've used it since, and for things other than just pressing bearings. Same goes for a $331.00 slide hammer set I bought. Since owning it and having it at my disposal, it's gotten used numerous times, and I think it has more than paid for itself. The same goes for several other expensive tools that I thought would only get used a handful of times at the most, but turned out to be a lot more for each.

If you have 15 cars to work on, then you are not the average enthusiast. Lincoln and Miller both make excellent plasma cutters [as well as welders]. Some other good brands are Hobart, Clarke and Century. You would just have to research online to compare units, their features and their comparative prices to figure out what unit, for the price, best suites your needs.

 

you said it perfectly.....that no matter what the tool is, it is there for when you need to use it!

 

I have a Hypertherm 190c. I think they go for a little over $1000, but I got mine on CL for $520 used in excellent condition. I have seen them go in the $500-$600 range at least twice since then.

For the hobbyist, it isn't a necessity, but if you have the $ go for it. I love mine. It is a 110v unit with a built in compressor and I can plug it in on sheetmetal cuts like butter. I've used it to shear "5/16 metal on a trailer hitch. It has a built in overload protection that kept tripping, but as soon as it cooled it automatically reset. I googled Hypertherm and they have a great rep. Better than Miller (who now owns them.) I like brand names, so that would be my recommendation.

If you buy used, you can save $ and get a better unit than you would otherwise, but stick to the Name Brands! If you don't have a welder, then a mig would be my first buy. That's one purchase you'll never regret. I have two migs now and they have paid for themselves 20 times over! I've made everything from Fences and Gates to Furniture, not to mention the car repairs that initiated the purchase.

If you can afford it, Go for it!

 

Well 15 mustangs sounds more like a business.

Buy a TIG welder too.

You do not want to go too cheap with the volume of cars you have. Look for older used stuff at the local welding shop and craigslist should be monitored constantly as you never know when something pops up. I can check hourly at work and I have missed stuff that was put up cheap.

You will also want to learn more advanced metalworking techniques. It is amazing what a little knowledge about how metal shrinks and how to work metal can do for panel installation.

With the TIG and metal working knowledge you can cut out a lot of time blocking a car with bondo to level the metal. You can also pull off some metal work you never imagined before.

Be sure to check out my metal working hints. I am not pro, but I can do a decent job putting a patch in and having both sides look good.
Metalworking hints

So what do you have in your collection?

 

oh, i totaly agree that the money could be better spent elsewhere! but i currently have about 15 mustang projects and i to am tired of those damn cutting wheels,sawsall and jigsaw.i figured if it helps with time,get nice cuts and you can pretty much cut anything up to say 3/8 to 1/2" with nice cuts then i'm good with that! besides its a new neat tool....i own my home out right,i own my cars out right,i don't owe on any credits cards,so i think what the hell, if it save's me time...and time is money! i wont be useing it every day but when i do it should make the job easyer.all the guys that i have talked to that have one loves them! also probably going to get a better wire feed welder, i have the lincoln 3200 and here that its not a very good one so etheir will get a 175 lincoln or a miller for 600. i would like to just start doing these metal jobs myself now instead of paying to get it done, was just getting your opinions on this.we all have some tools that we really didn't have't to buy! Jim

Jim, Hyperthem is the best manufacture out there but as for 3/8 - 1/2 clean cuts you wont find a new one out there for 1k. most 1/2 cutters are upwards of 1600.00. with that said check you msg box MP sent

 

I also picked up a used Hypertherm 190C for $500. Works great for sheetmetal up to 1/8" and cuts very fast. It will take longer to cut clean (no surface rust) 3/16" - imagine 1/4" or more will be tough and cause some thermal shutdowns.

 

I also picked up a used Hypertherm 190C for $500. Works great for sheetmetal up to 1/8" and cuts very fast. It will take longer to cut clean (no surface rust) 3/16" - imagine 1/4" or more will be tough and cause some thermal shutdowns.

I too have a Hypertherm 190C... I picked it up at a racetrack swap meet at the end of the season last year. Barely used, I got it for a measely $250. For the few things I've used it on, I wish I had gotten one a lot sooner.

 

We have a Hypertherm at work, not sure what model. It will do 1/2" pretty easily, it's a good machine.

Joe

 

lost in nj.....yes, up to a few years ago i did do this for a liveing but now its a hobby.if i posted pics of the stuff just in the garage you say oh my god! i've been collecting cars/parts for along time and now its time to start doing something about it!and get some of these cars done and gone...but i will keep a few! but right now i have a 69 M code vert nice options,69 F code deluxe vert,69 S code mach1,69 F code grande,68 C code fb,67 S code GTA fb,3 67 coupes,67 C code vert,66 vert,66 GT coupe,3 65 coupes,2 65 verts and a 89 GT i picked up for the drivetrain.and my Dad feels that he is done driveing now so he just gave me his 65 vert thats he has had for 30 years..this one i'm keeping and giveing to my son!

 

does anyone have or used a thermal dynamics plasma cutter ?

 

Yes; I've been using the T&D units for many years. However if I were to buy one tomorrow, I would go with the Hypertherm! Its been my experience, they currently build some of the best units.

J.R.

 

Yeah, 15 projects, that is a different story? You might want to also invest in a hoist, some welders, etc? 15 projects and I wouldn't bat an eye at a plasma..

 

well i bought a craftsman arc welder in nice condition for 75.00 also have a lincoln mig welder 3200, not a real good one but have it...need to get a gas bottle set-up for it.found a new miller mig here at harris welding for 600 ? oh and yes the car hoist a must for any car guy!!

 

Yeah, I think a plasma cutter might just be warranted.. Hobby means different things to some people, I guess.. haha

 

ok, well i was just getting ready to buy the new TD plasma cutter for 815. that comes with a 2 year warrenty... but found a used/near new miller sectrum 375 for 750. does anyone have this and is it a good unit....i know that miller is probably the best overall but is this 375 unit a good one ? thanks again...Jim

 

I bought a Miller plasma cutter last year. It makes it so easy to cut metal. It's been saving me a ton of time as I replace the front end on my 70. I can even neatly cut out the spot welds in the frame rails instead of wearing myself out under the car drilling them out.