At The Tool Report we dive deep into helping our customers find the right tools for their home or business.
We have covered a variety of welding equipment in depth and continue to offer up to date information on these powerful home and industrial tools.
Plasma Cutters & Cutting Systems
Plasma cutting is the process by which a jet of super-heated plasma is used to cut through electrically conductive metals.
The plasma torch directs this jet onto the metal to create a clean cut allowing the metal to be used in a variety of applications.
This can include industrials uses, home, shop, hobby, and even artwork.
Who Manufactures Plasma Cutting Tools?
Some of the biggest manufacturers of plasma equipment are Hypertherm, Miller, and Hobart. They make what is consider the best performing equipment using tried and tested components.
Professional Grade Plasma Cutters
Those looking for the absolute best should go with pro grade equipment. They offer the best power, control, and duty cycle.
Here are our favorite professional grade plasma cutters. For the most part these units require a separate air compressor. These units are ideal for situations where you need consistent power and have plenty of air flow.
If you require CNC type cutting these professional grade cutting systems are where you should start.
Our favorite models in the professional grade category include:
- Hypertherm Powermax 45
- the Hypertherm Powermax
- the Longevity Forcecut 62
Portable Plasma Cutting Systems
If you’re looking for something more portable, check out these plasma cutters with built-in air compressors.
For the ultimate in portability we recommend the Hypertherm Powermax 30AIR. With it’s built-in air compressor you can cut up to 1/2″ steel anywhere you can find power.
Consumer Grade Plasma Cutters
In recent years there have been a number of smaller companies making less expensive plasma cutters.
They offer impressive power and features, though may not be as reliable in terms of industrial production capabilities.
These include companies like Lotos, Ramsond, and PrimeWeld.
In each of our reviews we dig into details such as product specifications (cutting speed, auto-refire capability, gouging, piercing, etc), consumable use, and more.
What Are Their Uses?
Plasma cutting tools are typically used on the following metals: stainless steel, mild steel, aluminum, copper, and even brass.
In Which Industries Are They Used?
The most common industries in which plasma cutters are used are: welding, metal fabricating, car repair or restoration, scrapyards or salvaging businesses, shipyards, and more.
The speed and precision of the cuts allow for dozens of different applications of plasma cutting technology. This includes large scale CNC operations to repairing home or farm equipment.
TIG Welders
TIG welding or tungsten inert gas welding is one of the more challenging types of welds.
GTAW is used to weld thin sections of metal like stainless steel and non-ferrous metals (metals that do NOT contain iron) like aluminum, magnesium, and various copper alloys.
These machines require lots of power and precise control. TIG welds must be extremely clean and must generally meet strict requirements in terms of standards.
TIG welding is slow, requires lots of dexterity and experience.
Every year we do an updated comparison of the top performing TIG welders on the market. These are based on equipment we’ve used and products our readers have used.
Some of the best include the Miller Maxstar. Another popular model, though not as well known, is the Everlast Powerarc 140.
