Should I get a Plasma cutter ???

[RDT]

Hey guys, wondering what your thoughts were on Plasma cutters. I've seen some at reasonable prices and heard that certain of them can cut 1" thick steel or more depending on the voltage and price of course. I will never need to cut more than 3/4" thick steel or Ti. I keep looking but am very unsure as I know very little about them. Anyone know more about them ? Thanks.....RDT

 

[Ferret]

I'd say no. They are vicious bastids...you're toying with a 4th state of matter there and though the fabric of the universe isn't torn asunder it certainly sounds like it!
From a practical perpective, you've gotta move quickly so accuracy is out the window. They leave a torn edge. Worst, there's a lot of case hardening going on. You'd be better off with an angle grinder for rough profiling, or just get back to the bandsaw

 

[Kevin Wilkins]

Get a good bandsaw and forget the plasma cutter... unless you're going into the steel construction business ;-)

 

[Alpha Knife Supply]

I used to cut titanium with a plasma cutter and then grind off the heat affected zone. Plasma cutters do cut very fast. To get good clean cuts you must have a very steady hand and/or use templates. Some plasma cutters also require a separate air compressor.

I agree with the previous posts that a good bandsaw is much better.