HF Plasma Cutter

[Jeffncs]

Looking at the 45A Titanium plasma cutter from Harbor Freight. Any opinions / experience/ thoughts on it. Personal use for body panels, light home fabrication, etc.

45 Amp Plasma Cutter

Amazing deals on this 45A Inverter Plasma Cutter at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Thanks!

 

[jeepinmatt]

I dont know anything about the HF one, but I just bought one of these Firepower 45 amp ones which is an ESAB/Thermadyne sub-brand and it works well.

1445-1945 / Firepower FP-45i Plasma Cutting System

The new light and portable Firepower plasma cutting system has arrived, utilizing a 208/230V 50/60Hz power supply. The FP-45i unit is user friendly and incorporates the latest technology, making adjustments easy for everyday cutting needs. The system automatically displays and regulates to a set...

www.americanweldingsupply.com

ESAB has a $150 rebate on it through the end of the month.

If you don't need 45 amps, the 35 amp version is even cheaper (though only has a $100 rebate):

FIREPOWER 35i Portable Plasma Cutter System 1445-1935

FIREPOWER 35i Portable Plasma Cutter System 1445-1935 **End User $100 Rebate Go to https://www.esabburnandearn.com To Claim Use Promo Code: PW3-RWD The new light and portable Firepower plasma cutting system has arrived, utilizing a 208/230V 50/60Hz power supply. The FP-35i unit is user friendly...

shop.arcsolinc.com

Here's the only cut I made so far, but its a 4" wide piece of 3/4" plate (ignore the first inch or so on the left, I was too distracted by the fancy digital display to watch my cut angle):

 

[Jeffncs]

I dont know anything about the HF one, but I just bought one of these Firepower ones which is an ESAB/Thermadyne sub-brand and it works well.

1445-1945 / Firepower FP-45i Plasma Cutting System

The new light and portable Firepower plasma cutting system has arrived, utilizing a 208/230V 50/60Hz power supply. The FP-45i unit is user friendly and incorporates the latest technology, making adjustments easy for everyday cutting needs. The system automatically displays and regulates to a set...

www.americanweldingsupply.com

ESAB has a $150 rebate on it through the end of the month. If you don't need 45 amps, the 35 amp version is even cheaper (though only has a $100 rebate):

FIREPOWER 35i Portable Plasma Cutter System 1445-1935

FIREPOWER 35i Portable Plasma Cutter System 1445-1935 **End User $100 Rebate Go to https://www.esabburnandearn.com To Claim Use Promo Code: PW3-RWD The new light and portable Firepower plasma cutting system has arrived, utilizing a 208/230V 50/60Hz power supply. The FP-35i unit is user friendly...

shop.arcsolinc.com

Here's the only cut I made so far, but its a 4" wide piece of 3/4" plate (ignore the first inch or so on the left, I was too distracted by the fancy digital display to watch my cut angle):
View attachment 388096View attachment 388097View attachment 388098

So… if I’m reading it right, the selling price is $450 - 150 rebate for a final price of $300? That seems too good to be true!!

 

[jeepinmatt]

So… if I’m reading it right, the selling price is $450 - 150 rebate for a final price of $300? That seems too good to be true!!

No, the 45 amp is $650 at the first link, rebate of $150, final price of $500. Still unbelievably cheap for a "name brand" plasma.

The 35 amp (second link) is $450, minus $100 rebate, final price $350.

35 amp is probably more than enough for what you described. It'll do 1/2" for sure.

I questioned it at first too, but I have the machine in hand, and my rebate has been submitted and approved:

 

[jeepinmatt]

The 35 is actually even cheaper on Amazon:

Amazon had the 45 amp for about $580 last week, but that vendor is sold out now and they are all $1400+

The rebate is direct through Esab, so it doesn't really matter where you get it.

 

[Jeffncs]

No, the 45 amp is $650 at the first link, rebate of $150, final price of $500. Still unbelievably cheap for a "name brand" plasma.

The 35 amp (second link) is $450, minus $100 rebate, final price $350.

35 amp is probably more than enough for what you described. It'll do 1/2" for sure.

I questioned it at first too, but I have the machine in hand, and my rebate has been submitted and approved:
View attachment 388103

Thanks again! I just ordered the 35l.

 

[ghost]

The 35 is actually even cheaper on Amazon:

Amazon had the 45 amp for about $580 last week, but that vendor is sold out now and they are all $1400+

The rebate is direct through Esab, so it doesn't really matter where you get it.

I don't need one but have always wanted one.....

 

[thecj3man]

I have always wanted a plasma cutter too. I would use it mainly for sheet metal thickness but occasionally would want to slice some plate or tube. Is there a problem with buying a 45 amp unit and using it for thin material? Or would I be better off getting a 35 amp and then using the torch for thick things?

 

[Jeffncs]

I’m certainly not an expert, but I don’t see any issues. I fully expect to use the one I just ordered for sheet metal and bumper / frame work.

 

[Chris_Keziah]

I dont know anything about the HF one, but I just bought one of these Firepower 45 amp ones which is an ESAB/Thermadyne sub-brand and it works well.

1445-1945 / Firepower FP-45i Plasma Cutting System

The new light and portable Firepower plasma cutting system has arrived, utilizing a 208/230V 50/60Hz power supply. The FP-45i unit is user friendly and incorporates the latest technology, making adjustments easy for everyday cutting needs. The system automatically displays and regulates to a set...

www.americanweldingsupply.com

ESAB has a $150 rebate on it through the end of the month.

If you don't need 45 amps, the 35 amp version is even cheaper (though only has a $100 rebate):

FIREPOWER 35i Portable Plasma Cutter System 1445-1935

FIREPOWER 35i Portable Plasma Cutter System 1445-1935 **End User $100 Rebate Go to https://www.esabburnandearn.com To Claim Use Promo Code: PW3-RWD The new light and portable Firepower plasma cutting system has arrived, utilizing a 208/230V 50/60Hz power supply. The FP-35i unit is user friendly...

shop.arcsolinc.com

Here's the only cut I made so far, but its a 4" wide piece of 3/4" plate (ignore the first inch or so on the left, I was too distracted by the fancy digital display to watch my cut angle):
View attachment 388096View attachment 388097View attachment 388098

Thanks Matt for spending my money for me, ordered a 45i.

 

[jeepinmatt]

Thanks Matt for spending my money for me, ordered a 45i.

I'm good at spending my money, I'm great at spending yours!

 

[/dev/yj]

Sub’d and minor hijack…. Brother is looking for one that won’t break the bank. Any good 110 units out there?

 

[/dev/yj]

Anybody seen/heard of this brand?

 

[jeepinmatt]

Anybody seen/heard of this brand?

I don't know anything about that one, but something I would ask with any of them is will you be able to get consumables in 5 or 10 years? That's why I would rather get an Esab or Hypertherm instead of a off brand Chinese one regardless of cost.

 

[Jody Treadway]

Thanks Matt for spending my money for me, MY BUSINESS ordered a 45i.

Fixered.
It is the end of the year and all

 

[Jody Treadway]

Sub’d and minor hijack…. Brother is looking for one that won’t break the bank. Any good 110 units out there?

My experience with 110 V welders and plasmas is comparable to asking for a handjob at a whorehouse.
Spend a little more and get what you want

 

[Caver Dave]

Had a couple Chiwanesse "CUTSO"s (one highly recommended, the other a dice roll) and neither made it past 30 days 🤬

Hoping MY new FirePower 35i won't be a continuation, so will hold off "blaming" @jeepinmatt until warranted and offer a simple "THANKS" for the info

 

[Chris_Keziah]

Fixered.
It is the end of the year and all

Damn straight RLF bought it for me. Maybe before summer the buisness will buy me a Plasma Table.

 

[/dev/yj]

My experience with 110 V welders and plasmas is comparable to asking for a handjob at a whorehouse.
Spend a little more and get what you want

Yep, that’s the general consensus. Probably only going to cut 3/16 at most and really for one main project then only occasionally. HF mentality. Some of these things get real expensive and only make sense for serious fabricators.

 

[jeepinmatt]

Something I learned in my research last week is that Esab owns Esab (obviously), Victor, Thermal Dynamics (Thermadyne), and Firepower, as well as some other related companies. The Firepower plasma's are marketed in Europe as the Esab Handyplasma 25/35/45i.

 

[Jeffncs]

I’m hopeful this thing works well for a casual builder….

 

[Jeffncs]

Arrived today! Didn’t mess with it, but looks to be decent quality…. I have to rework my 220v circuit from a single, hardwired receptacle to a small sub panel which will send power to 2 receptacles. (The 50A circuit should handle the 15A compressor and the 35A plasma. )

 

[1stgenxxx]

I’ve had my Amazon China cut50 for 3-4 years now. It has well exceeded my expectations

 

[jeepinmatt]

Made a few cuts with my 45i tonight, set at 34 amps, cutting 1/8" stainless. I'm thoroughly impressed with the cut quality, speed, and ease of use.

1st cut, figuring out speed

 

[shawn]

I’ve had my Amazon China cut50 for 3-4 years now. It has well exceeded my expectations

Unfortunately, mine set itself on fire