suggestions on a plazma cutter purchase

[grumpyvette]

Im in the market for a plazma cutter for the shop, Ive used a few friends own and have some experiance but,
If you own one, Id love to hear your thoughts as to which models work well and which don,t....
for those unfamiliar with plazma cutters,
after you get a decent welder youll eventually want a PLAZMA CUTTER in the shop, a plazma cutter is a tool that allows precise cuts in almost any conductive metal, this comes in VERY HANDY when your fabing up exhaust headers, transmission mounts, motor mounts, accessory brackets, oil pans and similar projects
http://www.plasma-cutter.com/technical.htm

http://store.cyberweld.com/plasmacutters.html

http://www.htpweld.com/products/plasma_cutters/index.htm
http://www.welders-direct.com/merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=WD&Category_Code=PC

 

[grumpyvette]

THANKS FOR ANY OF THE INFO YOU CAN PROVIDE GUYS ,
all the info is useful, and the more I get the better my choice is likely too be.
Ive used a few differant models and brands so far, but Im not in a huge hurry so Ill take my time and make a good choice if I can

 

[SPANISHVETTS]

Grumpy,
My ThermalArc 250 all mode welder (Military Surplus) has a Plasma Cutting attachment. It works OK on light stuff. i.e., 4 MM drill pipe but something like a 1/2¨ plate would bog it down.

Thermal Arc does not show this product on their web site so I am guessing that it was built to Mil spec, sold to the Military at an over the Moon price and not very well designed. (The welder side of the machine works perfect)

I have used a buddy's Miller that is smaller and works much better so I would say that you should buy a dedicated Plasma Cutter but I think that is what you are looking for to begin with.

PS We use that template for cutting tubing that you posted several years ago several times a week. We do not waste nearly as much tubing as we did with the old ¨cut n miss¨ method.