Plasma cutters?

One of the best tools I've got . Plasma cutters are so much fun . I've used it for starting the BBQ . My unit was new off flebay does mma very well tig well and plasma perfectly cost me 475 ..

If I had to choose a tool to give up out of everything I have at Area 52, it would probably be the plasma cutter.

Don't get me wrong, they are amazing bits of kit and a lot of fun too....but it's one of those items where we usually tend to be able to make what we want by other means anyway. Slitting discs, grinders, drills, whatever....by the time I've dug the plasma out of the lock-up and got the compressor fired up, airline run, all plugged in etc....we could usually have completed the job with other tools.

It is very handy for cutting lots of something the same (batch production) or getting into tight corners and has proved invaluable on a good few occasions, but it certainly isn't one of those 'must have' pieces of kit unlike a welder, compressor or even angle grinders.

Because various people use mine down at Area 52, I hadn't realised all the tips had been used up until we had none left and no one had told me. I haven't got around to ordering any since (probably around March they ran out) and I don't think there has been a need for it since then. Sure, we could have used it a few times, but we certainly got by without it and weren't complaining at having to use other tools. I really should try and get some money together to buy more tips because it's a shame to have it and not use it, but equally....it's not something I'd rush to replace if it ever packed up.

Mine was a £200 eBay job bought a few years ago. It's been very reliable and cuts quite nicely, even on thicker stuff. It's a 50W and runs off a 16A supply although I think most people successfully use them straight off a 13A conventional plug/socket without any issues.

I also have an R-tech one
excellent piece of kit and very useful. It's not and everyday tool but I would be lost without mine.
Made a door out of 3mm plate, 2mins to cut the sheet up
making repair panels for chassis etc, so easy with a plasma compared to snips.
Yes you can get by without one but I would buy another...

God they look cool!

I need to get into welding and plasma cutting!

A local chap who builds kit cars local to me offers welding lessons so I think I might take him up on it.