Looking to buy a plasma cutter

i run a Miller Spectrum 2050, best plas ive ever used, severs anything ive thrown at it, i even have cut 1" plate with it for work.

great unit.

I am not an impulse buyer, I shop and shop and shop. I look at features, warranty, price, price and more price.

I am buying a Hypertherm 600. A few of my friends have Hyeprtherm 380's (Nics is a 350, same thing though) and love them. They are dead reliable. I am upgrading to the 40a 600 because the recommended thickness for the 600 is the same as the maximum thickness of the 380.

I looked at Millers, in my price range they were light on power and features. Esab, more of the same, in fact more so. I have a lincoln welder and looked into Lincolns too, wowo were they pricy.

Hypertherm only makes plasmas. The 600 has a drag tip (you can drag any plasma, but only a few are made for it) and a "soft start". It also doesnt use ceramics in the torch, so you can treat it like you treat all your tools and not like eggs in a basket. 40 will sever 7/8, as hardcore as I am I dont think I will ever outgrow it. 3 yr warranty, on the whole unit not just the power supply, be sure and ask that question.


1475 shipped on ebay. The 380 is cheaper, 999 shipped, and is 110 or 220 (obviously it will cut better on 220). You will need air to use a plas so make sure you dont have to buy a compressor too!

Originally posted by rcdreamer



I have a Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 51 http://www.thermadyne.com/evolution/productLiterature.asp?mernbr=1&div=tdc&catnbr=159&subcatnbr=170&pdtnbr=464 Its awsome. I haven't had any problems out of it. They have a couple models below this one if your not going to use it for heavy thick steel.

Ditto, and i love it. cuts awesome, and we beat the hell out of it at work.

Edited: 4/6/2006 6:44:43 AM by mobileheath

thanks for all of the info so far.....these things are pricey

I have a thermal dynamics also. It is just a small one, can't remember the model number but it cuts 1/4 pretty decent and up to half roughly. I love that thing I have had it for about 7 years and have used it for more than what it is rated at alot. I would be interested in selling it for a bigger one but just can't afford it right now. The consumables are expensive locally compared to online but I don't know how they compare to other brands. I think I pay around 7 bucks a tip and about the same for the other part inside, can't remember the name of it right now.

i just bought this one!! best price around!!!
check it out
http://cgi.ebay.com/MILLER-SPECTRUM-125C-PLASMA-CUTTER-w-compressor-907149_W0QQitemZ7606470927QQcategoryZ113743QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

miller spectrum 375 here can do 5/8 on when on 220 only used it on 110 so far and ive cut thru 1/4 with both sides welded with NO problem its the craziest thing i ever used cuts thru metal real well.... i got o cyberweld too thats where i got my welder its in linden new jersey

i got a blue point (snap-on) it's the bomb

Hypertherm 600, that bitch cuts everything!

i have the miller 375, nice unit, but if you drag cut, it wears the tips quicker, but thats with pretty much any plasma cutter. my friend has the hypotherm equivalent, and i have to say his consumables last alot longer. but the miller is well, a miller.