Chiner Plasma or Metal cutting Miter Saw

[[memphis]]

I was just about to pull the trigger on a plasma. I don’t have air so I’d need to invest in a compressor. I need to build a frame and will be doing a lot of straight cuts. My portable band saw cuts rainbows...

Miter Metal Cutting saw I am looking at:
https://www.amazon.ca/Makita-LC1230-12-Inch-Metal-Cutting/dp/B00004YOLV

 

[ridenby]

This plasma needs no compressor and works on 120v 20a . https://www.northerntool.com/shop/t...8736&msclkid=007e001ea11c1939a9885f64f12ea067

 

[Pocahontas]

What are you cutting? I would say a plasma even a cheap one is more versatile than a chop saw, unless all you are doing is smaller straight cuts. Can't rip/ cut curves on a chop saw.

 

[[memphis]]

2x6 and 2x4 box tube + miscellaneous stuff.
i was looking at a used Hypertherm 30 Air but the seller wants $1500 CAD.

 

[Dethmachinefab]

For box tubes, the saw absolutely.

 

[Pocahontas]

I would get the saw or something similar then a cheap plasma if it was me. I've been happy with my $200 ebay special plasma, that get used 2 times a month or so for a half hour or so at a time.

 

[YotaAtieToo]

This plasma needs no compressor and works on 120v 20a . https://www.northerntool.com/shop/t...8736&msclkid=007e001ea11c1939a9885f64f12ea067

12a? Jesus, will that even cut jap sheet metal?

 

[ridenby]

12a? Jesus, will that even cut jap sheet metal?

No clue. I use a cutmaster 42.

 

[Clemson13]

For box tubes, the saw absolutely.

I too am somewhat in this camp. I am still in the process of setting up my shop. I would love a hypertherm, giant band saw, chop saw, upright band saw etc....but the financials just dont make sense. Since it seems that you are in the metal working bussines, ill go ahead and ask you my question.

If i have ~3k to spend on metal cutting tools which would be most valuable to general home shop use ( Obviously ill be happy to not spend extra $):

Hypertherm
Milwaukie porta band (or other if decent value)
Upright band saw
Horizontal band saw
Metal circular saw
cold chop saw
abrasive chop saw

I already have:
240 air compressor of adequate size
plenty of wheel of death angle grinders


I have been thinking that a portaband w/upright table and plasma cutter might be the most versitile/setup. I would like the ability to tear down large sheets of steel and the plasma seems like the best for that.

 

[ChiScouter]

In my experience the blades on those carbide cutting metal saws are very unpredictable. Sometimes they last a very long time and sometimes they seem to shed teeth and get dull with no provocation. I have been very gentle with them and still lost teeth within a few cuts. At work I just order more blades. For home use replacing blades can get pretty expensive. A name brand portaband should cut straight enough unless it has worn or bent guides or heaven forbid operator error. Plasma is not the best tool for box tubing in my experience unless you have very good technique, if you are not good with a portaband you may have a steep learning curve with plasma on tubing

 

[aczlan]

If you're going to be cutting pipe or tube, I would get a pipe wrap no matter if you're cutting with a portaband, a sawzall or a plasma cutter.
Something like this:

Source: https://flangewizard.com/wizard-pipe-wraps/

Aaron Z

 

[[memphis]]

In my experience the blades on those carbide cutting metal saws are very unpredictable. Sometimes they last a very long time and sometimes they seem to shed teeth and get dull with no provocation. I have been very gentle with them and still lost teeth within a few cuts. At work I just order more blades. For home use replacing blades can get pretty expensive. A name brand portaband should cut straight enough unless it has worn or bent guides or heaven forbid operator error. Plasma is not the best tool for box tubing in my experience unless you have very good technique, if you are not good with a portaband you may have a steep learning curve with plasma on tubing

I’ll some photos but I bought this saw brand new.
I do not learn on it cutting material but what I’m finding is the second half of the cut is where I start to see it walk? Perhaps where there two contact points with the teeth in the work piece?

I bought Lennox blades thinking they were good but maybe that’s a variable worth adjusting? These blades I’m assuming should self center once tightened down?

My last blade had a terrible ‘thunk’ when cutting and broke at the weld. I was just cutting some 1/8” wall tube and it cut a bunch of rainbows

 

[[memphis]]

If you're going to be cutting pipe or tube, I would get a pipe wrap no matter if you're cutting with a portaband, a sawzall or a plasma cutter.
Something like this:


Source: https://flangewizard.com/wizard-pipe-wraps/

Aaron Z

That thing will end up being a single use because I’ll cut through it 😆

 

[arse_sidewards]

If you're planning on handing the thing to an underpaid apprentice and expecting to get mitered tube back then get the chop saw.


If you're looking to pick up the more versatile machine get the plasma. Big 5+hp compressors are readily available under $300 and frequently go below $200. Anyone who doesn't have more than enough air in their shop to run a plasma these days is just lazy.

 

[Toreadorranger]

If you're planning on handing the thing to an underpaid apprentice and expecting to get mitered tube back then get the chop saw.


If you're looking to pick up the more versatile machine get the plasma. Big 5+hp compressors are readily available under $300 and frequently go below $200. Anyone who doesn't have more than enough air in their shop to run a plasma these days is just lazy.

I would love to find one of these sub $300 air compressors, unless your talking garbage oilless compressors.

 

[Dethmachinefab]

;n153273]

I’ll some photos but I bought this saw brand new.
I do not learn on it cutting material but what I’m finding is the second half of the cut is where I start to see it walk? Perhaps where there two contact points with the teeth in the work piece?

I bought Lennox blades thinking they were good but maybe that’s a variable worth adjusting? These blades I’m assuming should self center once tightened down?

My last blade had a terrible ‘thunk’ when cutting and broke at the weld. I was just cutting some 1/8” wall tube and it cut a bunch of rainbows

The only way I can cut box tubing straight with a portaband is to work around it cutting each side. They are just to flexy. Thin short blade, low tension.

 

[arse_sidewards]

I would love to find one of these sub $300 air compressors, unless your talking garbage oilless compressors.

I guess you're gonna have to be willing to wait and jump on a deal if you want a 5-10hp compressor for under $300 but they're out there. I was seeing a few a week before I bought my 7.5 for $200 last year.

Any one of these (I was too lazy to read all the ads so some of them probably have dead motors or heads and you can just ignore those) will be able to handle home shop type stuff including a plasma but might struggle to keep up with a blast cabinet.

https://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/tls/d/kerhonkson-compressor/7203355711.html

https://hartford.craigslist.org/tls/d/bridgewater-air-compressor/7207962155.html

https://hartford.craigslist.org/tls/d/canton-sears-compressor-2hp/7192497163.html

https://worcester.craigslist.org/tls/d/sterling-craftsman-4hp-20-gallon-air/7200721450.html <- best deal in the whole list I think

https://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/tls/d/portable-air-compressor/7200615309.html

https://newlondon.craigslist.org/tls/d/westbrook-prime-air-pac-2000-air/7206046161.html

https://newlondon.craigslist.org/tls/d/waterford-campbell-hausfeld-2-hp-air/7191741832.html

https://maine.craigslist.org/hvo/d/buxton-air-compressor-3-phase/7196994938.html

https://providence.craigslist.org/tls/d/tiverton-beaird-compressor/7204707856.html

https://maine.craigslist.org/tls/d/south-portland-fs-curtis-air-two-stage/7203891524.html

https://westernmass.craigslist.org/hvo/d/west-springfield-commercial-air/7201364751.html

https://providence.craigslist.org/tls/d/riverside-quincy-qt-10-air-compressor/7192319692.html

https://albany.craigslist.org/tls/d/schenectady-compressor/7190021086.html

https://nh.craigslist.org/tls/d/raymond-air-compressor/7188133799.html

https://maine.craigslist.org/tls/d/topsham-air-compressor/7167442046.html

https://westernmass.craigslist.org/tls/d/sunderland-4-cylinder-2-stage-compressor/7196647582.html <- probably too old to be relevant but kind of cool.

 

[Dethmachinefab]

I too am somewhat in this camp. I am still in the process of setting up my shop. I would love a hypertherm, giant band saw, chop saw, upright band saw etc....but the financials just dont make sense. Since it seems that you are in the metal working bussines, ill go ahead and ask you my question.

If i have ~3k to spend on metal cutting tools which would be most valuable to general home shop use ( Obviously ill be happy to not spend extra $):

Hypertherm
Milwaukie porta band (or other if decent value)
Upright band saw
Horizontal band saw
Metal circular saw
cold chop saw
abrasive chop saw

I already have:
240 air compressor of adequate size
plenty of wheel of death angle grinders


I have been thinking that a portaband w/upright table and plasma cutter might be the most versitile/setup. I would like the ability to tear down large sheets of steel and the plasma seems like the best for that.

A good horizontal band saw with a roller conveyor, and a metal circular saw for cutting down sheets. I've got a heavy worm gear skilsaw that runs a metal blade and I prefer it to the actual Milwaukee metal cutting saw. It is heavy and has no guards to keep hot chips from burning you, but you can see the blade. The weight keeps it planted and cuts smoother extending blade life. Search for a used bandsaw, like a do-all c916 or something that will run a 1" blade.

The only time I use a porta band and or dry cut saw is at a jobsite because of easy transport.

 

[[memphis]]

A good horizontal band saw...

What about a power hacksaw? I’ve been looking at these on marketplace but I am unsure if the vise can do angled cuts?

 

[Toreadorranger]

I guess you're gonna have to be willing to wait and jump on a deal if you want a 5-10hp compressor for under $300 but they're out there. I was seeing a few a week before I bought my 7.5 for $200 last year.

Any one of these (I was too lazy to read all the ads so some of them probably have dead motors or heads and you can just ignore those) will be able to handle home shop type stuff including a plasma but might struggle to keep up with a blast cabinet.

I will concede, I assumed you were referring to new. For some reason used didn't even pop up in my mind.

 

[arse_sidewards]

;n153327]

What about a power hacksaw? I’ve been looking at these on marketplace but I am unsure if the vise can do angled cuts?

They're slow and have shit blade life compared to a horizontal band saw. If you are trying to get the most bang for your buck or use shop space most efficiently I would skip them. If you got a big one in good condition for cheap I'd pick one up but you should think of it as a stopgap machine until you get something better.

 

[aczlan]

;n153274]

That thing will end up being a single use because I’ll cut through it 😆

Why would you cut through it? You use it with a sharpie to mark your cut line, then take it off and make the cut.
if you have it on when cutting, you are doing it wrong...

Aaron Z

 

[bgaidan]

;n153327]

What about a power hacksaw? I’ve been looking at these on marketplace but I am unsure if the vise can do angled cuts?

Most of the ones I've seen don't have enough blade/stroke to do miter cuts on anything over a couple inches wide.

I agree with the others. A GOOD band saw will be your best bet here. Go with a swivel head over a swivel vise if you can. Way faster to change angles.

 

[MigGunslinger]

;n153008]2x6 and 2x4 box tube + miscellaneous stuff.
i was looking at a used Hypertherm 30 Air but the seller wants $1500 CAD.

For 2X box tubing buy a lenox or diablo metal cutting blade and put it in your Worm drive skilsaw. Just wear PPE. Seriously, like safety glasses, face shield, and welding gloves.

The blades will say 1/8" max on them, ignore that shit.

I have cut 2X6 1/4" wall no problem, 1/2" plate no problem. With a fence I cut 12" out of a 70 chevy bed lazer straight, barely any fitting to weld it back together.

These are the main reason I don't have a plasma cutter, anything that does not fit in the metal cutting miter saw gets cut with this. These blades are designed to work with the higher RPM of wood cutting saws.

 

[[memphis]]

Well I went and did something dumb... Wellsaw model 8. Seems to cut fairly straight from my try it before I buy it test!

 

[YotaAtieToo]

Most of the ones I've seen don't have enough blade/stroke to do miter cuts on anything over a couple inches wide.

I agree with the others. A GOOD band saw will be your best bet here. Go with a swivel head over a swivel vise if you can. Way faster to change angles.

I'll take a swivel vise and vertical capability. Unless they make one with both.

 

[dnsfailure]

horizontal band-saw is probably one of the best tool purchases I've made. You won't regret it.

 

[rockyota83]

;n153008]2x6 and 2x4 box tube + miscellaneous stuff.
i was looking at a used Hypertherm 30 Air but the seller wants $1500 CAD.

i know its too late but if you do a lot of random field jobs its worth its weight in gold

and fwiw i wouldnt buy a plasma with less than 30amps

 

[[memphis]]

horizontal band-saw is probably one of the best tool purchases I've made. You won't regret it.

I think you are right... I’m very OCD and the portable saw left a lot to be desired on the finish cut. I am looking forward to starting my “Rango” frame with this unit versus dreading it!

 

[[memphis]]

i know its too late but if you do a lot of random field jobs its worth its weight in gold

and fwiw i wouldnt buy a plasma with less than 30amps

It’s never too late, just a tool to add to my arsenal later on. I had an Everlast unit and I sold it when I moved. It was under utilized... I don’t really regret selling it. My biggest obstacle is I don’t have much secure storage. I’m not worried about the saw because it’s too heavy to steal easily. Plasma can grow legs easily!