Interesting ebay auction

[whatsnext]

Item number 190004601848
I bought a plasma cutter from this guy and it couldn't have gone any smoother. I wonder what Husky model this is s'posed to be a copy of?
John...

 

[klickitatsacket]

I am more interested in the plasma cutter. How do you like it? that is a heck of a deal if it is any good.

 

[whatsnext]

It kicks butt. I bought it to cut 1/4" A36 which it does with ease. He and others have been selling a bunch of them to guys on various 4x4 boards I frequent and I havn't heard any bad news yet. I'm sure there will be some someday but so far so good. Mine is astounding on thin stuff. They have some internal adjustments which allow for maximazing the machines performance which I still have not tried yet but may be required because of the country of origin, China. I started a Yahoo group for owners to tell stories and ask questions. Just do a search there on Mitech plasma. I just started it so there's not much there but who knows.
John....

 

[wagonwheeler]

16mm capacity w/ a $430 plasma machine is pretty hefty cutting! Good mm/$$ there.

Chaser

 

[Lawn Masters]

Gotta give the chinese credit, they're improving quality of products fairly fast.

oh that saw isnt a HVA copy, its a clone of a Shindaiwa 488. air filter cover and the left AV mount above the gas tank is a giveaway.

 

[pallis]

That chain saw looks Italian. I think I might get a good deal on a new TIG outfit. While the money is going out, I should convince the wife I need a plasma arc cutter.

 

[whatsnext]

Gotta give the chinese credit, they're improving quality of products fairly fast.

oh that saw isnt a HVA copy, its a clone of a Shindaiwa 488. air filter cover and the left AV mount above the gas tank is a giveaway.

If that's the case they copied a damn good saw.

 

[Lakeside53]

If that's the case they copied a damn good saw.

Maybe so, but is it a damn good copy? The Chinese copies of the Stihl 038 and TS400 are terrible...

 

[Freakingstang]

I am more interested in the plasma cutter. How do you like it? that is a heck of a deal if it is any good.

Doesn't look like a bad unit for the money. One thing though, is the duty cycle. It is only 60 percent. That means, out of a ten minute cycle, it will only run 6 minutes at max amperage. not a big deal on little stuff, but if you are getting into the thick stuff, it will not last. It may also not have an automatic shut off for the duty cycle. If it doesn't, you could smoke it and not know it (well, you would, it won't work anymore lol). Another thing would be what kind of repacable tips does it take. Is it something you can get local at the weld shop, or do you have to order them from Tycokostan?

I may have to pick one up just for my garage. It would be nice for those little things. The big fooker at work is really nice, but is a pain if you are at home on the weekends and need it....

-Steve

 

[hornett22]

plasma cutters ARE nice.

i think i'll stick with thermal dynamics and hypertherm though.sounds like a good deal until you need parts? where do you get consumables locally for that chinese unit?

 

[whatsnext]

These plasma machine are the same as Riland, Parker, Dayton, Chiry, and who knows how many others. They all have thermal protection and consumables are not an issue if the have a Grangers or HF near you but you can order ten sets online for $30. I wouldn't use mine in a production enviroment but only because I think the cooling air needs some filtering to keep the HV power area clean. I first heard of them at a 4x4 board where they are selling like hotcakes to guys, like me, who are into driveway fabbing. I would think lawn artists would have a field day with them also. I've had the cover off mine and there are only three or four boards all of which can be bought seperately. No tranny to blow as it's an inverter machine. I hate to sound like a commercial for them but I love mine even if my local Miller rep thinks I'm a fool for not spending three times as much with him for a machine with less power. I'm thinking of buying one of their 160 amp TIG machines next. I'm not sure why Freakingstang is worried about the duty as 60% at max power is quite high for even a pro machine. Mine cuts 1/4" A36 at about 30ipm at full power and I've never seen thermal shutdown even though I have heard of a few guys having it happen. I'm hoping I can learn how to notch tubing with mine for cage building as soon as I get my bender built. I really just thought the saw was cool as I trust this seller.
John....

 

[Rspike]

These plasma machine are the same as Riland, Parker, Dayton, Chiry, and who knows how many others. They all have thermal protection and consumables are not an issue if the have a Grangers or HF near you but you can order ten sets online for $30. I wouldn't use mine in a production enviroment but only because I think the cooling air needs some filtering to keep the HV power area clean. I first heard of them at a 4x4 board where they are selling like hotcakes to guys, like me, who are into driveway fabbing. I would think lawn artists would have a field day with them also. I've had the cover off mine and there are only three or four boards all of which can be bought seperately. No tranny to blow as it's an inverter machine. I hate to sound like a commercial for them but I love mine even if my local Miller rep thinks I'm a fool for not spending three times as much with him for a machine with less power. I'm thinking of buying one of their 160 amp TIG machines next. I'm not sure why Freakingstang is worried about the duty as 60% at max power is quite high for even a pro machine. Mine cuts 1/4" A36 at about 30ipm at full power and I've never seen thermal shutdown even though I have heard of a few guys having it happen. I'm hoping I can learn how to notch tubing with mine for cage building as soon as I get my bender built. I really just thought the saw was cool as I trust this seller.
John....

The sad part is i paid more for my air filtering system for my air compressor for my Miller Spectrum® 625 than what that china machine cost. It does cost a lot to get into a "good plasma cutting outfit" The plasma cutter is only about 60% of the cost of what you need to get set up . Over $4000. if you dont already have a good air compressor. The china plasma cutters are standard Harbor Freight quality items and not to be used for too much .

 

[Rspike]

PS A cheap China plasma cutter or tig welder or mig welder to a fabricator is like the Poulan "WILDTHING" is to a wood cutter. Think about it .

 

[Lawn Masters]

If it serves its purpose and works for someone, thats what counts. remember, not EVERYONE needs a top quality tool to get the job done.

 

[Dan Forsh]

If it serves its purpose and works for someone, thats what counts. remember, not EVERYONE needs a top quality tool to get the job done.

Exactly

 

[whatsnext]

PS A cheap China plasma cutter or tig welder or mig welder to a fabricator is like the Poulan "WILDTHING" is to a wood cutter. Think about it .

Exactly, but I'm not a pro fabricator, I'm a ME who likes building his own trail rigs. And, if I just wanted to cut some firewood to keep my house warm or get a log out of my way a Wildthing would be better than a hand saw. A lot better. I don't buy tools to impress people but I want to keep myself happy and this plasma machine does that when I need it. I'm not selling anything. "Think about it".

 

[Rspike]

Exactly, but I'm not a pro fabricator, I'm a ME who likes building his own trail rigs. And, if I just wanted to cut some firewood to keep my house warm or get a log out of my way a Wildthing would be better than a hand saw. A lot better. I don't buy tools to impress people but I want to keep myself happy and this plasma machine does that when I need it. I'm not selling anything. "Think about it".

You dont have to be a "pro fabricator" or a "pro woodsman" to own good tools . You can get a American made, good quality, plasma cutter for a good price and not have to buy the bottom of the barrel line. As for if you want to heat your home with wood statment lets ask here how many people cut fire wood for themselves for there own home to supply heat and use just the Poulan widething . Yes, i agree for a simple branch , a fallen tree in the back yard , trimming over a hand saw the Wide-thing has its place .Not for every year home heating wood cutting use. But if you needed just simple fender cut or just a few things made up with steel the cheap China plasma is still bottom of the barrel and not worth the money . You would of been better off having a shop doing your few simple plasma cuts you needed and paid a lot less . Now if you are going to be useing this all the time for your self , year after year for many years to come then you should spend the $$ for a good quality item . If you figure the cheap low line stuff over years time it will end up costing you more then the good quality tool . Exapmle: I bought a Webber Gas grill 10 years ago and still have it and it looks and works like it is still new . My brother buys the cheap $150. grill's at Wal-Mart every other year as they break down , fall apart , paint comes off ect ..ect... Now if you figure over 10 years he has now paid OVER $350. MORE than i did for the good quality grill . Mine was $450. 10 years ago and he has spent $750. in 10 years with lesser quality every year. Most of the time the lesser quality items ends up costing more in the long run . You are not saving money buying the cheaper quality items. You can hate me for it but it still does not change the facts .

 

[FourMoCajuns]

You dont have to be a "pro fabricator" or a "pro woodsman" to own good tools . You can get a American made, good quality, plasma cutter for a good price and not have to buy the bottom of the barrel line. As for if you want to heat your home with wood statment lets ask here how many people cut fire wood for themselves for there own home to supply heat and use just the Poulan widething . Yes, i agree for a simple branch , a fallen tree in the back yard , trimming over a hand saw the Wide-thing has its place .Not for every year home heating wood cutting use. But if you needed just simple fender cut or just a few things made up with steel the cheap China plasma is still bottom of the barrel and not worth the money . You would of been better off having a shop doing your few simple plasma cuts you needed and paid a lot less . Now if you are going to be useing this all the time for your self , year after year for many years to come then you should spend the $$ for a good quality item . If you figure the cheap low line stuff over years time it will end up costing you more then the good quality tool . Exapmle: I bought a Webber Gas grill 10 years ago and still have it and it looks and works like it is still new . My brother buys the cheap $150. grill's at Wal-Mart every other year as they break down , fall apart , paint comes off ect ..ect... Now if you figure over 10 years he has now paid OVER $350. MORE than i did for the good quality grill . Mine was $450. 10 years ago and he has spent $750. in 10 years with lesser quality every year. Most of the time the lesser quality items ends up costing more in the long run . You are not saving money buying the cheaper quality items. You can hate me for it but it still does not change the facts .

Then why do you own Husky and not STIHL?

Sorry just kidding!!!!!
I agree wholeheartedly with you. I refuse to support the country that could someday OWN us. Remember people they are still a Communist regime who kills their own people for free thinking.

 

[whatsnext]

You dont have to be a "pro fabricator" or a "pro woodsman" to own good tools . You can get a American made, good quality, plasma cutter for a good price and not have to buy the bottom of the barrel line. As for if you want to heat your home with wood statment lets ask here how many people cut fire wood for themselves for there own home to supply heat and use just the Poulan widething . Yes, i agree for a simple branch , a fallen tree in the back yard , trimming over a hand saw the Wide-thing has its place .Not for every year home heating wood cutting use. But if you needed just simple fender cut or just a few things made up with steel the cheap China plasma is still bottom of the barrel and not worth the money . You would of been better off having a shop doing your few simple plasma cuts you needed and paid a lot less . Now if you are going to be useing this all the time for your self , year after year for many years to come then you should spend the $$ for a good quality item . If you figure the cheap low line stuff over years time it will end up costing you more then the good quality tool . Exapmle: I bought a Webber Gas grill 10 years ago and still have it and it looks and works like it is still new . My brother buys the cheap $150. grill's at Wal-Mart every other year as they break down , fall apart , paint comes off ect ..ect... Now if you figure over 10 years he has now paid OVER $350. MORE than i did for the good quality grill . Mine was $450. 10 years ago and he has spent $750. in 10 years with lesser quality every year. Most of the time the lesser quality items ends up costing more in the long run . You are not saving money buying the cheaper quality items. You can hate me for it but it still does not change the facts .

You've been listening to your Snap-On rep a little too much. If you choose not to buy chinese goods for political reasons I have to respect that but to claim this is a bottom of the barrel tool is nonsense unless you have used one and it doesn't sound like that is the case. Because this plasma machine is not a BBQ grill just looking at how long the things last doesn't really tell you the true cost. The only way to view the costs is to calculate the cost per inch of the cut over it's lifetime. I'd bet mine will cost much less than yours and I'll still get my work done. My consumables cost less and at 90% efficiancy I'll use less electricity. The idea that I should go to a shop someplace to save money on my own projects is also laughable. My time is way too valuable for me to hop in a car, drive to some shop, and then wait for him to cut my parts while I'm being charged $75/hr. I probably purchase a couple of million dollars a year of contracted metal working for my employer so if I really want cheap parts I just draw it up at a CAD station and send one of my vendors the file. If I ask nice the parts arrive at my office in a few days. Only thing is is that I'm not paid to have parts made for myself and it is just as easy to DIY and I havn't had to wait ten minutes much less a day or two. Having a rep at some welding store hold your hand while telling how worthless any other brand is is nice but you have to know you are paying for that service whenever you buy from him. The comparable Miller machine to mine is probably the 375 which retails at about $1400. I would have to pay 8.6 percent tax but if I got him to discount the price by that much I'd still be paying an extra $1000. I'd rather put that money in my IRA or buy a new sail for my boat. I love having nice things but the idea that any purchase that isn't a top of the line product regardless of the cost show that you either don't understand the costs or are wealthy enough not to care. My Saab costs way less to operate than my Rover and gets me where I need to go so I always grab it unless I'm headed off road. I look at my tools the same way.

 

[Lakeside53]

To anyone that says all Chinese goods are junk (some are), all you have to do it wait.. I'm old enough to remember that the "Made in Japan" sticker meant "cheap junk". Try that today. Made in Korea or Made in Taiwan - well... depends, but they make same real nice stuff now.

Then there is "Made in India"...

We make them all better at manufacturing and marketing by talking with our wallets... both ways.

Remember when all the best skis were made in Germany, France or USA (and a few others)? Only by chance do I ski on skis made in France.... 90% (a guess) of this years skis in the USA are now made in China, including our "local" K2 brand. Personally, I don't care what I ski on so long as I get to ski.