IGBT vs MOSFET

[bobwills]

If I was to go with a plasma would IGBT or MOSFET be the better choice?

[Tritium]

IGBT!

Thurmond

[zoama]

IGBT

[bobwills]

So its worth the extra money to save up and get a IGBT even if I dont need it to be able to cut the thickness the bigger ones can handle.

[geezer]

So its worth the extra money to save up and get a IGBT even if I dont need it to be able to cut the thickness the bigger ones can handle.

Think of the extra money as buying the pilot arc feature which is handy at cutting mesh /expanded metal etc. and the IGbt has a good track record for reliability.

If I didn't have a plasma cutter or couldn't afford one, I would be happy to have the the best priced one regardless of mossfet or IGBT tech. Cutting meatl with O/A is old hat.

[Tritium]

So its worth the extra money to save up and get a IGBT even if I dont need it to be able to cut the thickness the bigger ones can handle.

As one who has had both units, MOSFET first then IGBT. YES!

Thurmond

[performance]

MOSFET = Snap, Crackle, and Pop.
IGBT = Cool Runnings.

[bobwills]

I wouldnt even need 50 amps im sure. But when i do buy one someday ill go with a 50 amp unit if i can. Definatly go with IGBT though. And i like how the 50 amp is blowback too. Thats another plus. And you get rid of it? Im never gonna get rid of mine cause its just trusty and always gonna work. But hope i wont ever have to use it and the powerarc will be trusty and always will work forever. And the mosfets ive just heard a lot of bad stories about.

[bobwills]

ok so this spawns my next question. I will probably go with IGBT if i get one just because ive read of some bad things about MOSFET too and i want the best chance of getting something that will have a good chance of lasting as long as possible. Ok so the smallest IGBT is the powerplasma 50. It has pilot arc. But it says it is also a blowback style torch. The powerplasma 60 has pilot arc and it also has high frequency. The price distance is $100 between the two. If i got one it would be one of these. My question is is it worth the extra 100 to get high frequency. I dont really know what difference it would make having it. From what i know it would suck not to have it but I dont really know. Thats why im asking on here lol. Any and all imput is much appreciated .

[performance]

I am not sure where the misinformation is coming from as I have heard this comment several times recently but HF is NOT desirable over blowback start.Bob, can you point me toward the source if you can remeber? I'd like to look into its origin. HF causes em interference and there is maintenance associated with the HF points. Blowback is exactly what Hypertherm, Milller, and Thermadyne use on their units under 100 amps.

[hooda]

I'm curently running a different brand with IGBT add HF start, I would absolutely recommend both features, and always go AT LEAST one size bigger than you think you'll EVER need. Trust me, If you think you'll only ever need a 50 amp unit, then get a 60 amp, Of course, there's always the almighty dollar, so I guess along that line, get it if you can afford it. I promise you'll never say to yourself "gee, I wish I would have bought a less powerful unit".

[bobwills]

Ok. So the powerplasma 50 is the one i would go with then cause its the smallest with IGBT. Im currently waiting on a powerarc 200 to see what I think about your alls products. Hopefuully it will be a big improvement from my 225 ac tombstone. I do know you all have a great customer service thats for sure.

[Tritium]

Hopefully it will be a big improvement from my 225 ac tombstone.

It will be WAY better than the Tombstone AC unit. I got rid of mine finally a few weeks ago. It was never used since I have the PowerUltra 205P and my Bobcat.

Thurmond

[SeanMurphy265]

I have a mosfet plasma cutter, and it's OK, but I don't use it that much. It gets the job done, but if I had one with a pilot arc I would probably use it more. If I notch angle iron I still use a cut off wheel. I mostly use it to cut 12g sheet for grills. I did cut a baffle out of a Harley V rod muffler for a guy, but the touch start makes some things a little more difficult.