Plasma cutter

Was looking at cutters last night too and was wondering if anyone uses a Northen tool or Harbor freight unit. They both got oddly high reviews on the web site but $600 is a lot more than I would want to spend on anything from harbor freight. I was thinking they were probably the same machine but The northern unit is only 115V while the HF unit is 220v but both appear to use the same torch. Are plasma consumables some what universal or interchangeable?

I was initially looking at the Hobart 500i, it seems like a good round about machine any opinions on that?
 
Look for a company called Parker Metal Working Products. My first plasma was a Parker. Definitely wasn't top of the line but for the price it got chit done. I have a ESAB now and its a good machine.
I haven't found any plasma consumables that interchange but I'm sure there are some out there.
 
Esab makes really nice ones!!! not real cheap but last forever!!
I would watch CL i see plasma cutters come up sometimes!!
 
The Parker's don't look too bad but can you only get consumables from them? Same with Everlast? The ESAB's are nice you get them and parts from supply shops etc but the initial price is out of my range. If I did this foor a living I would be all over one.

That's why I was considering the HOBART since you can get consumables from TSC or Northern.
 
JT has a Harbor Freight unit that has served him well.
 
CarolinaTruggies said:
Look for a company called Parker Metal Working Products. My first plasma was a Parker. Definitely wasn't top of the line but for the price it got chit done. I have a ESAB now and its a good machine.
I haven't found any plasma consumables that interchange but I'm sure there are some out there.
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Parker Metal was my first also and it worked really well
 
The ESAB units I've used have not impressed me, and consumables are expensive. i'm a fan of Hypertherm if you're looking for something from the weld shop. The Everlast unit I've seen seemed to work very well, too.
 
Everlast for sure. I had an ESAB that was rated similar to the Everlast unit I have now, NO comparison in cut quality... Consumables can be bought online or EBAY, and are much cheaper than ESAB consumables. I would get the PP50, will cut 1" and should be around $800 shipped.
 
My first welder was a Everlast PA160 5 yr warranty, with that being said I'd order a plasma from them. Lately I haven't checked their boards to see if units are being sent out on time or in stock.
 
Ordered an Everlast Supercut 50p. Kind of a value line it seems but it will cut 5/8 which is way more than I'll need and it was $430 shipped with a 5 year warranty. I'll let yall know how it works when it gets here.
 
I've had a hypertherm for 7 years now, no problems. I leave the "gouging" tip on it mostly. Hate that the handle is like 75 degrees and not 90 but live with it. Used it alot when I was cutting up junkers, kind'a got out of that and only use when some metal needs an arc cut in it. Ask yourself if you really need it, they are expensive. I cut most stuff with a chop saw or an 8" angle cut off with the real thin disc from random products. Lowes has some thin 7" dewalt disc but they don't last as long. Hypertherm is at most airgas/national welders shops.
 
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