plasma torch part 2

I posted before about pros and cons of a plasma torch. Still haven't made the jump yet. But I found a 1300 Matco one on craigs for 350 cash. I was over the guys house. Only thing I didn't like is it seemed to cut slow, but I didn't do the cutting, the owner did. On the other hand it was pretty close to 1/4 plate steel and I think that is max for machine.



What are your thoughts? Machine going bad maybe or just heavy steel? One thing I liked is lack of sparks and the steel was still cold to touch unlike if ya burned with torch.

This is machine in question, but older model

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/pr...ER-1-4-115VAC/

I belive his is made by century unlike the new models.

Ya thoughts please? Oh and it looks like the head is slightly melted, but nothing bad. And it could use a new tip though. Which is maybe why its cutting slow. Wonder if the harbor freight tips would work..hmm

With only 18 amps maxed out !/4 steel is really pushing it. It's only rated for 3/16 steel for cutting. Did he know what the duty cycle was at max amps?

The machine your looking at is only 40% duty-cycl, 3/16" steel, severance to 5/16"

That machine will fail cutting aluminum which requires way more amperage. IMHO the seller was trying to impress you by cutting 1/4" steel plate.

I would bet the farm the cut he made was a short one, then he spoke with you to distract you while the machine was cooling down for the next demonstration cut.

How readily available are the consumables, torch replacement and $$$.

Century has not made welding equipment for sometime now, I know this as I have one of their High Frequency TIG units, fortunately it uses the Air Liquid torch.

go big or go home dont settle from someone elses junk buy one that would perform the job u need it for and then some. I wouldnt settle for something worn out and old. just my opinion though.

That must be why it was cutting slow then. Too much for the machine duty cycle. ****it there goes my dream of breezing through compressors and different junk motors. Thanks for talking me out of it. Thanks.

And I also wanted it t cut up boilers. Guess thats a no two. Oh well.

Originally Posted by PistoneScrapProcessing

go big or go home dont settle from someone elses junk buy one that would perform the job u need it for and then some. I wouldnt settle for something worn out and old. just my opinion though.

Agreed, go big.

Next he should ask himself is how many CFM will his compressor supply at 60 psi. Also look for a plasma that uses IGBT technology.

I am interested in getting a torch. I wonder about plasma cutters too. I'm gonna keep looking and reading I guess.

You'll find having both helps.