"Best" plasma cutter on a budget?

[RichardSIA]

"Best" plasma cutter on a budget?

Some time ago I asked a similar question on TIG welders.
Very happy with the recommended unit I bought.
Now it seems I may need a Plasma Cutter as the best tool to cut sides out of shipping containers that are to be used to build a 1,650' shop.
Five containers joined side by side with the interior walls removed.
Not my first preference but less than half the price of erecting a building on a concrete slab.
Concrete slab actually cost more per foot than the steel building.

Once the shop is up a Plasma Cutter will be very useful for builds.

[TooBusy]

I hate to admit it, but I'm terribly happy with my Horrible Fright 40amp machine.
It does everything I ask, up to cutting 1/2 inch plate. I've been running it in drag mode, knowing it works SOOOOO much better with a little bit of standoff.

Today I'll be wiring it into my Crossfire CNC table

[BHRmotorsport]

shipping containers that are to be used to build a 1,650' shop

Richard, I want to see pictures of this! I know that you never/seldom post pictures but this is a build that I'm very interested in and I want to see the process and the results. Movies would be good too. Please. Bill

[RichardSIA]

Still doing some research as I know two are commonly joined, so five is just more?
Not my ideal shop, but conventional build is crazy expensive.
If I can make this work I avoid the $10.00 per foot concrete floor/foundation.

Camera is working again.

[Lonnie-S]

I just received a "Black Friday" e-mail from JEGS offering a 40 amp plasma cutter (110/220 volt) for $272.99 that they say will cut up to 3/8" mild steel. That seems like a really good deal to me.

Does anyone have experience with that machine or know of a better alternative? I notice the cheapest Harbor Freight unit at 20 amps, half the JEGS unit, is now $369.99.

The main task I'd use it for is cutting down larger pieces of heavy plate to a size compatible with my band saw or mini-mill tables.

Thoughts/opinions?

Cheers,

[Miatav8,MstrASE,A&P,F]

I bought mine off amazon a few years ago. Search for plasma cutters there for ones like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Voltage-Cutting- ... 73542&th=1

You'll need to consider volt drop if using an extension cord. Plenty of videos on youtube about the different types, options, consumables, and accessories.

[SkinnyG]

I have three offshore cheap plasma cutters of my own, one offshore at work, and one domestic at work; they all work fine. I have tested my three on my youtube channel; they are more or less the same. I would let your wallet be your guide, plus availability/price of consumables. A local store would make warranty claims easier, but online would likely be cheaper. A pilot arc would be my preference vs. a drag tip, but they are more expensive.

If you want to do CNC with one, you want to look for a Non-High-Frequency start, as the HF start may make your electronics unpredictable. I've been pouring through reviews of LF plasma cutters online as I want to go CNC in the new year.

[Lonnie-S]

@MV8
@SkinnyG

Thanks for the responses, gents. Amazon has a couple of units that are more powerful and cheaper than the JEGS unit. One of them is also a pilot arc model and comes with a kit of extra consumables. It looks very slick and professional too. That is going to be my Christmas gift this year, me thinks.

Cheers,