PLASMA CUTTER BUYING GUIDE: HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT CUTTER

If you are new to plasma cutting, or just looking to upgrade your plasma cutter, this guide will walk you through all the decisions you need to make when purchasing a new plasma cutter.

1. Choose your plasma cutter based on the material you need to cut

Do you want to cut mild steel, stainless steel, aluminum, or some other material? How thick is it? Most plasma cutters will be rated by material type and thickness, with mild steel being the most common material cut, and therefore the most commonly rated.

2. figure out what power you have available for plasma cutting

You need to know what the voltage, amperage and phase rating of your outlet is. Small plasma cutters typically run on a single-phase power supply of 120 or 240 volts and require 10-30 amps. Some systems can automatically detect what voltage you have them connected to. There are also a variety of NEMA plug styles and you will need to have one that matches the outlet you plan to use.

3. Make sure your plasma cutter has the proper air supply

Unless you plan to invest in a plasma cutter that has an on-board air source, you will need a compressor and some way to dry and condition the air after it has been compressed. If you don't have a compressor, or aren't sure if your compressor is up to the job, take a minute to read through the list of air supply requirements for your plasma cutting system.

4. Read reviews

Check in on a number of forums, blogs and social media groups to see what other users have to say about the particular model you are interested in. Be cautious of reviews from marketing sites, as they are sometimes faked to improve the product's position in the marketplace. Pay special attention to how manufacturers handle customer complaints. If a company demonstrates prompt customer service and offers viable remedies when problems are encountered, you can rest assured that you can get support when you need it.

5. Set your budget

In a perfect world, we would all have unlimited funds available to purchase tools. In reality, we must balance our needs and desires with the resources we have available to purchase new tools. In general, it is recommended to follow the mantra of "buy once, cry once" and buy the best quality system that your budget will allow, rather than settling for a lesser quality, more attractively priced alternative.

6. Buy from a reputable source

Just as important as the make and model of the plasma cutting system you choose is where you choose to buy it. Many manufacturers will not guarantee items purchased outside of an authorized distribution network. If you're buying online, do some due diligence to make sure the seller is legitimate and will be there to assist you if problems arise. If you're considering buying a used machine, familiarize yourself with how to test it to make sure it functions properly and check to make sure repair parts and consumables are still available. If you're looking for a reputable source for plasma cutting products, SUNNA offers a wealth of information about its products.

If you follow these steps, you will likely find that you have made a wise purchase and your plasma cutter will serve you faithfully.

Happy cutting!