plasma or oxy acetylene

[bobwills]

So im shopping for a cutter. My options are plasma or torch. Im having a hard time deciding which way to go. Im looking at about $500 either way I go. Plasma I have 40% off and can get the powerplasma 50 for like $480. Or go with torch. I tried used. Well ended up with a torch that leaked between body and cutting head. Its a victor type 100 i think. Its got smith regulators which both started out working then oxygen started pulsing. It stopped and acetylene started pulsing. Well it kinda stopped but also got bad. It wont pulse unless the valve on the torch side is opened a little extra and it does it really bad. But back to the leak its not good and I found out the hard way when it got a little flame going on it. Not real big but it still was a flame and scared me. So the good news only paid $75 and it came with the tanks. The acetylene was a size B (20 cf) and oxy was the around 80 or 90 cf whatever the size is. So the Acetylene is worth $80 to buy there and thats also the trade in value. The oxy is worth $147 so thats a great win. So if I went with oxy acetylene I would get 130 cf acetylene and the 152 of oxygen. That would be a good semi stationary way. If i went that way id get a new torch set that will always work. Thats $200 right there. plus upping the tank size thats $139 plus the fill of the tanks. Which is like another $100 plus them may throw a charge to check the tanks i have because they are out of date on certification. So im looking about the same price. Now I have options. Get the torch it will always work every time unless out of fuel. Last my whole life which im only 16 so it needs to last. Or get a plasma. But i know electronics dont last forever they are a bit finicky. Great when they work. We have 2 at school. Old and new one. Old one dont work but teacher said just needs consumables. Its a esab and a newer i think hypertherm. So Im just worried about will it last? Will it be always dependable? Thats what i need. And if i get a plasma I could make the torch work somewhat. Get the leak stopped and just upgrade Acetylene to 80 cf for $50 and have a nice little portable set one of these days. Also be able to heat and bend. The torch also came with so many extras. Like 5 welding tips and 2 big tubes of welding rods, all different sizes and some aluminum. All would be great if i tig welded but dont. So Im just not sure which way I should go and thought that I would ask all you all that have been trough these decisions. Thanks everyone in advance.

[fdcmiami]

you're going to need a compressor for that plasma cutter and in addition a good filter. consumables for a plasma are not cheap.

[Brian Ski]

Well ended up with a torch that leaked between body and cutting head.

If you take them apart... Mine has a little rubber O ring... Take a look... I replaced mine for a quarter... Also sounds like your regulators have weak valves? Not sure what they call them they are like a very small brass cylinder with a seal inside the regulator that makes the regulator work. If you have a larger welding shop they might stock them... Victor is a good name. They shouldn't be too much... I am thinking under a 10 spot...

Another idea I have never tried but I really don't think you can cut aluminum with a torch. But you can with a plasma cutter... Correct me if I am wrong... Just a heads up for your future projects.

[zoama]

Another idea I have never tried but I really don't think you can cut aluminum with a torch. But you can with a plasma cutter... Correct me if I am wrong... Just a heads up for your future projects.

Can't cut aluminum or stainless with an OA torch. It's nice to have both.

[bobwills]

Well one way I could have a really good torch and big tanks. Or I could get a plasma and have a kinda crappy torch. How long will will a plasma last. It will have some use but defiantly not every day. Is it something I can always count on to work and work like its suppose to.

[bobwills]

well i think I almost have my mind settled with going plasma. Alot of the stuff I cut is smaller and a plasma will do much better then a torch.

[Rodsmachineshop]

if there name brand gauges and torches you can get service seals and rebuild kits for them , my victors are over 35 years old , i put some rebuild kits in the gauges and put a new seal kit in my touch about 5 years ago still work great http://www.ebay.com/itm/VICTOR-ST190...item415ee87216

[KSmith]

well i think I almost have my mind settled with going plasma. Alot of the stuff I cut is smaller and a plasma will do much better then a torch.

I have a had a good victor torch set, and didn't know what I was missing till I got the plasma cutter. Use it all the time. Still use the torch for brazing, heating...and all the things it does best. But the plasma cutter gets turned on a bunch. I even use it to pierce holes for the larger sizes of drill bits I don't have. Enjoy!

ken

[bobwills]

I might try the rebuild kit. Does the seal in the torch have to be heat resistant? Im seriously thinking about a plasma and just a little *0 cf torch set so its good and portable.

[Brian Ski]

I might try the rebuild kit. Does the seal in the torch have to be heat resistant?

I don't think so... It is in the handle so you hold it in your hand. I just grabbed an O ring out of a box of them I had and it has worked fine for quite some time. Open it up and have a look. You should see a broken or chewed up one in there.

[bobwills]

True true. And Ill have a look and see if its messed up. Shoot might not even have one in there.

[Rodsmachineshop]

silicone o rings since not made out of hydrocarbon

[bobwills]

Ill try that to see if it works. After it catching fire once will be a big hesitant.

[EchoSixMike]

With plasma you're tied to electricity, a torch is superior for field work. Plasma is vastly superior for speed and quality of cut. I own both, different tools for different jobs.
S/F....Ken M

[NRM]

fdc FYI... I have a PP205 which has s S45 plasma torch and I get my consumables from here (eBay user 3shop-river):
http://stores.ebay.com/plasmacutterconsumables

Lowest price I found and they look/work like the consumables supplied with my unit. The shipping is reasonable also.

[fdcmiami]

thanks, i own a cutmaster 51 though i rarely pull it out except for the occasional stainless steel job where a saw, drill or punch won't do what i need. i'll look them over if i'm in the market for some consumables. in my case, if i had to choose i would give up the plasma first. torches are a necessity if you're going to be working with steel.