![]() It’s always better to leave some room between a machine’s capability and the plate you need to cut. For example, a plasma cutter that maxes out on 3/8” aluminum plates can generally cut 1/2″ stainless steel and 5/8” steel sections. Plasma cutters can cut through different gauge plates with the same amperage, depending on the metal being cut. The thicker the plate is, the more amperage you’ll want your machine to put out. Most plasma cutters will burn through any type of metal, but it’s the plate thickness that determines the best plasma cutter to buy. The extra price will make a significant difference in the speed and quality of the cuts. It’s preferable to not require these additional costs, but if you want to cut through 1/2” plate or thicker, it’s necessary. If you want to run 220/240 volts, you’ll need a special power point put in, which costs extra. However, running off this many volts won’t produce enough power to cut through much more than 1/4″ of metal. 110/120 voltsĪ standard power point at most people’s houses is 110/120 volts, which makes a plasma cutter with this input desirable. Industrial workshops are typically the only place you’d need a three-phase plasma cutter, but for single-phase machines, it’s useful to have the capacity for both 110/120 and 220/240 volts. Some heavy-duty cutters are 240-volt three-phase machines, but most of the smaller ones run off single-phase power points of 110/120 volts, 220/240 volts, or both. The electrical input a plasma cutter can take is also vital to consider. If you don’t have a compressor, read our plasma cutters with built-in air compressors post to check out some machines with air compressors. It’s beneficial to have a separate air compressor, as the best and most affordable machines don’t include air compressors in their systems. Most plasma cutters need a separate air compressor to feed the air out of the nozzle for it to work. Some plasma cutters run on different kinds of gases, but most are pneumatic. Both are essential to run plasma cutters. The power sources to consider are electrical and pneumatic (air pressure). We have made this buyer’s guide to explain the factors we believe are important to consider and help people find the best plasma cutter for their needs. It’s always beneficial having options to choose from, but with too many options, it’s hard to know what distinguishes them and why the costs can vary so significantly. The technology of plasma cutters is improving year by year through companies upgrading their machines and adding better functions to enhance the performance of the cut along with the user experience. ![]() This plasma cutter has highly impressed us, and we feel confident placing it in our number one spot.īuyer’s Guide: How To Choose The Best Plasma Cutter The internal air valve can leak if it’s used extensively every day in an industrial setting, but the part is affordable and easy to replace, and it most likely won’t affect home use. The drag-cutting technology makes tracing simple while ensuring no double arcing occurs. ![]() This incredibly lightweight welder has a sturdy case surrounding it with a long 15’ torch lead, which makes the plasma cutting experience much better than fighting with a short lead. It’s not quite capable of engraving like the Powermax 45 XP is, but it gives pristine edges to cut surfaces and is capable of easily severing up to 5/8” thick plate along with fine-featured cuts for decorative use. It’s one of the best plasma cutters for home use, as it’s available at a low price while offering more than enough of the features a hobbyist would need. For our top pick, we’ve chosen the Hypertherm Powermax30 XP.
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