So gonna be building my bumpers soon which will require cutting some plate steel for sure. I only have my sawzall and 14"chop saw, so not gonna "cut" it for the fab work I want to do. My problem is I dont think I will have the cash to buy both new tools so got to choose one.
I am leaning toward the torch, I can cut stuff no issue with a torch and if you clamp some angle iron down as a guide you can make very straight cuts and not too ruff. Cost right now at harbor freight is $279 for a kit but only has 20 cubic ft. oxygen tank and 10 cubic ft. acetylene tank so I think it will run out fast. So would need to get bigger bottles to make it really usefull for fabrication.
The up side I can tote it around for small stuff with the little bottles, and can use to heat and bend tube, pipe, plate, and start the fire place when it's been raining and the wood is wet..etc..etc
On the other hand I can get a CUT50 Plasma cutter free shipping for $295, it's 220V and ready to go with some extra consumables. can't heat stuff but it will make quick work of the 3/16 plate I will use and better for any body work cutting that will be in the future too. Got some doors to patch and this would work like a champ to remove the bad spots.
I think in the short term the plasma is cheaper, but long run torch would be way more useful.
So what do you guys think, any ups and downs I am missing?
I am leaning toward the torch, I can cut stuff no issue with a torch and if you clamp some angle iron down as a guide you can make very straight cuts and not too ruff. Cost right now at harbor freight is $279 for a kit but only has 20 cubic ft. oxygen tank and 10 cubic ft. acetylene tank so I think it will run out fast. So would need to get bigger bottles to make it really usefull for fabrication.
The up side I can tote it around for small stuff with the little bottles, and can use to heat and bend tube, pipe, plate, and start the fire place when it's been raining and the wood is wet..etc..etc
On the other hand I can get a CUT50 Plasma cutter free shipping for $295, it's 220V and ready to go with some extra consumables. can't heat stuff but it will make quick work of the 3/16 plate I will use and better for any body work cutting that will be in the future too. Got some doors to patch and this would work like a champ to remove the bad spots.
I think in the short term the plasma is cheaper, but long run torch would be way more useful.
So what do you guys think, any ups and downs I am missing?