Subject: plasma cutter advice wanted

From: [email-masked]
Date: 4 Jul 1996 12:07:12 GMT

I am looking at plasma cutters for my shop. Most of my work will be with 
16ga to 1/4" sheet steel and the like. Occasionally, I want to cut heaver
material.

I've narrowed down my selection to Thermal Dynamics, PAK Master 50
or the Esab 750i. Does anyone have experience with these machines? I'm
told the Esab is more innovative, lower power consumption, target cutting
feature for locating the torch on a previous cut, etc.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Jeff
[email-masked]

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From: [email-masked] (ErnieLeim)
Date: 6 Jul 1996 05:05:00 -0400

[email-masked] writes :

>I am looking at plasma cutters for my shop. Most of my work will >be with

>I've narrowed down my selection to Thermal Dynamics, PAK >Master 50
>or the Esab 750i. Does anyone have experience with these >machines? I'm
>told the Esab is more innovative, lower power consumption, >target
cutting

>Any suggestions?

The ESAB may sound nice, but I would rather chew my own foot off than
trust ESAB to make anything worth snot.
All their machines share a common goal.
How to make a machine that looks good and yet can be made with the
cheapest components available.
Just look at their MIG welders.
The ESAB 250 uses the same wire feeder that Hobart uses in their Handler
120. The Hobart 250 uses a wire feeder twice the size of the ESAB's, and
you can tell when using it.
Their power supplies have no stability since they leave out 2 filter
circuits that Hobart, Miller and Lincoln all include as standard
equipment, and just try to get parts.
ESAB is the largest manufacturer of welding equipment outside the US, but
it is smaller than either Hobart , Miller or Lincoln.
Don't trust them they are the " Huffy excercycles " of welding equipment.

Thermal Dynamics makes excellent machines. They were the first company to
make plasma cutters and still make the most accurate.
However if you are interested in more power for the money you should look
at the new line of Smith plasma cutters. There 55 amp machine is called a
1/2" machine , but can cut up to 7/8" steel. I've done it. 
The Thermal Dynamics Pak 50 is a more accurate machine for detail work,
but the 1/2" limit is very honest. Try cutting 5/8" steel and it bogs down
horribly.
The Smith also it much kinder to it's cutter tips.
The Smith cutters use a stationary ventury to swirl the air jet around the
inner electrode, so it is harder to damage the tip. The Thermal dynamics
cutters use a small inner electrode that actually spins in the air blast.
These electrodes tend to fuse quickly if allowed to get dirty. 
The Thermal dynamics Pak 50 weighs about 80 lbs.
The Smith 55 weighs about 32 lbs.
Need I say more.
Both machines require 50 amps of 220 single phase.
So I would sum up my heavily biased opinions as:

Thermal Dynamics Pak 50------ Beautiful accuracy, short tip live
                                                  ,  low top end power,
heavier unit.
Smith 55 --------------------Amazing power, long tip life
                                                   greater portability.
ESAB ------------------------ Nice boat anchor, pretty yellow 
                                                      color.

Another point of difference is that the Thermal Dynamics machines have
removable torches, while the Smith torches are hard wired in.

Best of luck
@}---------------------------------------------------{@
                    Ernie Leimkuhler                                      

                  Stagesmith Productions                                  
                                          
                 Custom Metal Fabrication                                 
               
*    ABANA   SCA     AWS    USITT   IATSE local 15, 488   *
                        Renton, WA                                        
   
*    "Death is like being on holiday with
          a group of germans" ---- Rimmer ( Red Dwarf )
@}------------------------------------------------------{@

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From: [email-masked] (Blake Malkamaki)
Date: Sat, 06 Jul 1996 23:49:15 -0400

In article <[email-masked]>, [email-masked] wrote:

}I am looking at plasma cutters for my shop. Most of my work will be with 
}16ga to 1/4" sheet steel and the like. Occasionally, I want to cut heaver
}material.
}
}I've narrowed down my selection to Thermal Dynamics, PAK Master 50
}or the Esab 750i. Does anyone have experience with these machines? I'm
}told the Esab is more innovative, lower power consumption, target cutting
}feature for locating the torch on a previous cut, etc.
}
}Any suggestions?
}
}Thanks,
}
}Jeff
[email-masked]

At one time I thought I would like a Pak Master 50 -- until I tried one. 
They are quite weak, though do have a very fine tip which is good for
detailed work in thin stuff.  Very weak when it comes to power though.

I believe the ESAB is Jap and is of low quality.

Of the machines currently available, I would choose the new "Powermax 800"
Hypertherm.  It has a nice handling torch and good visibility, and can
easily cut over 1/2" plate.  Request that they not give give you the new
"safety trigger" torch though.  It's very awkward and agrevating to use. 
I believe this machine is priced about the same as the Pak Master 50. 
It's also very portable.  I have a Lincoln myself.

Hope this helps you out.

Blake
Blake Malkamaki, Little Mountain Ironworks, Concord, Ohio <[email-masked]>
>>Steam engines - Cletrac Crawler Tractors - Maple Syrup - Metal Signs<<
http://www.ncweb.com/users/blake

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From: [email-masked] (Blake Malkamaki)
Date: Sat, 06 Jul 1996 23:56:13 -0400

}However if you are interested in more power for the money you should look
}at the new line of Smith plasma cutters. There 55 amp machine is called a
}1/2" machine , but can cut up to 7/8" steel. I've done it. 
}The Thermal Dynamics Pak 50 is a more accurate machine for detail work,
}but the 1/2" limit is very honest. Try cutting 5/8" steel and it bogs down
}horribly.
}The Smith also it much kinder to it's cutter tips.
}The Smith cutters use a stationary ventury to swirl the air jet around the
}inner electrode, so it is harder to damage the tip. The Thermal dynamics
}cutters use a small inner electrode that actually spins in the air blast.
}These electrodes tend to fuse quickly if allowed to get dirty. 
}The Thermal dynamics Pak 50 weighs about 80 lbs.
}The Smith 55 weighs about 32 lbs.
}Need I say more.
}Both machines require 50 amps of 220 single phase.
}So I would sum up my heavily biased opinions as:

I have not had the opportunity to try a Smith (can't find one that works),
but I don't feel they are built as good as either the Thermal Dynamics,
Hypertherm, or Lincoln.  The torch I held onto sure seemed awkward- you
have to hold it way back from your work.  The Smith looks like something
Northern Hydraulics would mail order.

Blake