This thing just arrived last week and I've had a little bit of time to play with and collect some thoughts.

Inital impressions: It looks very similar to the eastwood, but don't be fooled. The eastwood uses high frequency and this does not. HF is good for welders but not for plasma cutters.
Torch is a trafimet style. It has a long lead, probably over 12 feet which is great! Quick connect for the ground using a dinse. Great idea.
Small cable that hooks up to the front is the ground that goes to the torch head. Looks small in my opinion but from what I have seen these don't need to be large. Uses a 2 pin connection for the trigger. The unit is LIGHT and easy to move and being able to disconnect everything is a BONUS. Only thing I want for it now is a stand off to play with so I don't drag the tip.

Likes:
Quick connects.
Small easy to hold torch.
Standard consumables.
110/220
It's QUIET. Not a loud machine at all.

Down side.
Well with all good things there has to be something I don't like right?
The barb connection on the back and air hose it comes with make you have to get creative to hook it up. I used 2 air compressor fittings and a female to female adapter, but still at 80psi and a clamp it blew the hose off the back of the machine. Solution is super simple. Unscrew it, and grab an air connector and teflon paste and replace. Simple and took 2 minutes now my air hose plugs directly to the machine.
Kind of wish it had a built in air compressor for those times you need a quick cut, but it seems nobody makes those anymore aside from hobart. I think I just got spoiled having the hobart 250ci for 1/8" and under.

Cutting:
Well it's not what I expected. It's better. I didn't honestly think it would cut as smooth as it does. Nor as thick. I cut some 1/4" steel last night like it was BUTTER.
Did some .100 aluminum around 27amps and the dross was very very minimal. I have more cutting to do this weekend so I'll report back, I'm sure I'll go through a set of consumables rather quick on this thing with all the cutting I have to do.


Unit will still read as high as 38amps on 110v. Haven't cut with it on 110v, but I'm sure it would need a 30amp circuit or larger on 110v.

Out with the old, in with the new






How does it compare to others?

Well the hobart 250ci was great with a built in compressor but it wouldn't cut anywhere near as thick or as fast or as clean as this.
How about the eastwood? Well that thing just sucks in general. The only thing appealing is the price.
Everlast seems to have a comparable machine to this, the price is cheaper, but no personal opinion as I've never used it. And who wants green in their garage anyway


So in conclusion:
Clean cuts, light and easy to move, 110/220v option, digital display, good warranty. No complaints! A+ product. I will have to put it through it's paces and see how it holds up. Some torture testing coming when I get time.

I haven't gotten it to say 40amps on the display yet, highest was 39 (usually is 37-38), but I'll try it on another power grid and see if it goes higher. Not that it matters any at all.

Would I buy again:
Yes. It's a no brainer. If you are on a budget and need to cut it up then go for it! I think the price did go up recently, but still well worth the money!
Best one in it's price range.

I'll have to get some pics of the cuts up when I get time.

i was looking at getting one of these but i need an air compressor first...

thanks for the review!

It doesn't need a lot of cfm to run which is nice. I have a 21 gallon and it works great. Well it's not mine but I am borrowing it.

Did you put a water separator on it between your compressor and the inlet on the plasma cutter? I like the idea of putting the direct connection on there, but I would probably plumb in a water separator. My Everlast plasma cutter came with one, and the brackets/hardware to mount it to the back of the cutter. Just an idea for you. Looks like you got a great machine if it will function at work properly at over 30 amps on 110v. Mine only goes up to about 26 amps on 110v, which is plenty for what I will be doing. I have yet to have a need to convert to 220v.

All plasma cutters have a "last chance" filter inside or right outside the machine. I am not worries about it, but I will add one later down the line. I have a very large filter but saving that for when I finish the Cnc.

Gamble97 said:

How about the eastwood? Well that thing just sucks in general. The only thing appealing is the price.

Click to expand...

What didn't you like about Eastwood's?

99gst_racer said:

What didn't you like about Eastwood's?

Click to expand...

For it from a local guy that used it maybe once. Consumables looked brand new and he still had the 2nd set that came with it. Tested it and it cut. I don't like how it's high frequency. But he gave me a deal for buying that and the tig at the same time so I said why not. Took it home and next day went to cut. Hit the trigger and it fired, put it to the work piece and it would fire. Red light would come on when I hit the trigger. Tried it on 110v and 220v. No difference. Let it chill for a day and next day turned it on (didn't even hit the trigger) and as soon as the switch went on BOOM!
The machine had sparks flying out of it and jumped. Loud bang. And scared the ever loving crap out of me. Sounded like someone let a 20fpot ladder to and hit the floor.
Opened it up and a small transformer on the board blew as well as one of the igbt.

Eastwood refused to work with me on the warranty even through the machine was only a few months old. They said I needed the original receipt and original owner to do the warranty. The guy said he would but after a few emails I never heard back.

You ne'er said what your new machine was?

Refresh my memory?

What plasma cutter was this review for? I'm looking for one that will easily cut nuts, bolts and some suspension parts.

sorry. longevity forcecut 40D