Amazon Plasma Cutter vs Angle Grinder for Frame Work

[MD.PipeGuy]

Hey guys,
Have any experience with cheapy plasma cutters? Drop your thoughts below...

I'm slowly acquiring the needed tools and parts to do some frame work on my TJ this fall, a la safe-t-cap/Pocono etc. I'm going to start with the center sections above the skid plate on both sides, but I know those won't be the last sections that I'll end up replacing over the next year...

If you had to do a ton of frame cutting, would you spend the $$ on a cheap-o plasma cutter? I'll be doing everything on the ground since I don't have a lift, and I have to imagine a plasma cutter would be faster and far less physically demanding than holding an angle grinder up over my head while I'm laying on my back. I'll obviously need to grind to prep the frame for welding, but i figured plasma would be faster for the actual cutting portion of the prep. I'll happily spend ~$200 to not wake up sore the next day, even if the cutter only lasts me a year and then craps out. I have a big air compressor and 220v access, so I'd only be out the $$ for the machine and some extra tips and whatnot.

What are your thoughts? Besides buy once cry once, is there any reason you absolutely should NOT use a plasma cutter on your frame before welding in patches?

 

[jjvw]

After the plasma cut, you will need a grinder to clean up the plasma cut. Most of the time it is best to skip the plasma cut.

 

[Danarch]

Seems like Lotos Plasma cutters seems to have a good reputation. I am thinking about getting a combo one that will weld too.

@jjvw thanks for the info above. I don’t have any frame repair, but am going to cut the rear bumper enough to fit the 33”. I been wondering if best to use an angle grinder or borrow a friends plasma cutter. I plan on welding in piece of bent steel to close it off. I’ve already bent the steel so making some progress, just slow.

 

[jjvw]

Seems like Lotos Plasma cutters seems to have a good reputation. I am thinking about getting a combo one that will weld too.

@jjvw thanks for the info above. I don’t have any frame repair, but am going to cut the rear bumper enough to fit the 33”. I been wondering if best to use an angle grinder or borrow a friends plasma cutter. I plan on welding in piece of bent steel to close it off. I’ve already bent the steel so making some progress, just slow.

See post #2.

With all the things I have done to mine, which includes a lot of frame cutting and bumper modifying, I have only used a plasma once to cut off the frame side track bar mount.

 

[Danarch]

See post #2.

With all the things I have done to mine, which includes a lot of frame cutting and bumper modifying, I have only used a plasma once to cut off the frame side track bar mount.

I saw, it’s why I said “thanks for the info” , it made up my mind to just use an angle grinder.

 

[macleanflood]

I just bought an Everlast 82i. Love it. Really clean cuts.

That's about as cheap as I would go on Plasma. But man is it fast.

-Mac

 

[steelhd]

I've only done a little of the work you are describing, and it was decades ago, but yea, buy a plasma. And I'd buy the best plasma I could afford along with the best grinders, grinding and cutoff wheels, and chisel I could afford. For me everything like that takes a lot longer than it should (even when I was making a shitty living doing it poorly) and every convenience is a time and mental life saver.

 

[MD.PipeGuy]

I appreciate all the info so far. I'm new to the forum. Can I "like" comments on a mobile device? I see people liking posts, but I can't figure out how to do it.

 

[1o1proof]

We bought one off amazon 3 or 4 years ago and love it. We have worked on 2 or 3 frames with it and really liked the speed and ease it cuts. It and the cut off wheel/grinder have their uses...I like having both around.

 

[DuckNut]

A friend of mine who builds utility trailers as a hobby has a YES Welder and really likes it (about 2 years now). It is a welder and plasma cutter in one.

You will always need the grinder.

 

[DEValken]

I appreciate all the info so far. I'm new to the forum. Can I "like" comments on a mobile device? I see people liking posts, but I can't figure out how to do it.

There are rules here, sir!

You just have to post a few (20?) times before you can like posts.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/why-cant-i-like-posts.30797/

And welcome aboard...

 

[MD.PipeGuy]

There are rules here, sir!

You just have to post a few (20?) times before you can like posts.

[EMBED content="thread-30797"]https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/why-cant-i-like-posts.30797/[/EMBED]
And welcome aboard...

Aaaaah. Gotcha. I'll pay my dues, and then all you mf'ers are getting thumbs ups.