Lincoln Tomahawk 375 Plasma cutter

[CA_Bgrwldr]

Any experience? I have a Hobart AirForce 12 plasma cutter, but would like something a little more suited for cutting thicker material, and like that it works for expanded steel as well. I would just go with a larger Hobart, but neither the 27 or 40 have an internal compressor, which means I would have to buy a portable one that can produce the psi/volume needed for them when away from the garage.

 

[Yomax4]

Hypertherm also has one . So does Thermal Dynamics, Dragon Plus which cuts 1/2"

 

[Gary Fowler]

I think I would prefer to use an auxiliary compressor than lug one around with the plasma torch. To cut 1/2" metal, you need a 50 amp machine.
It doesnt take a huge compressor to supply the air for plasma cutting. I run mine with my Kobalt quiet air compressor which I think is only 4.5 CFM at 90 psi with two small hot dog storage tanks. If compressor kicks on which is 90 PSI, I can continue to cut for a several minutes. Most folks dont need to cut continually for 10 minutes or more so a small compressor will work fine. Mine will cut 1/2" steel at 50 PSI easily.

So bite the bullet and buy an air compressor and then a plasma cutter without the built in compressor. Everyone needs an air compressor for airing up tires, blowing out filters, running pneumatic tools and much more.

 

[Yomax4]

Several built in compressor brands I have used pumped a fair amount of mist into the plasma stream and that hydrogen is hard on consumables. You just have to be ok with using 2 -3x more tips and electrodes. They are pretty heavy to haul around too.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Several built in compressor brands I have used pumped a fair amount of mist into the plasma stream and that hydrogen is hard on consumables. You just have to be ok with using 2 -3x more tips and electrodes. They are pretty heavy to haul around too.

TWO Very good reasons not to buy one with built in compressor. It doesnt take much air to run mine.

 

[CA_Bgrwldr]

I think I would prefer to use an auxiliary compressor than lug one around with the plasma torch. To cut 1/2" metal, you need a 50 amp machine.
It doesnt take a huge compressor to supply the air for plasma cutting. I run mine with my Kobalt quiet air compressor which I think is only 4.5 CFM at 90 psi with two small hot dog storage tanks. If compressor kicks on which is 90 PSI, I can continue to cut for a several minutes. Most folks dont need to cut continually for 10 minutes or more so a small compressor will work fine. Mine will cut 1/2" steel at 50 PSI easily.

So bite the bullet and buy an air compressor and then a plasma cutter without the built in compressor. Everyone needs an air compressor for airing up tires, blowing out filters, running pneumatic tools and much more.

I have an 8cfm@90psi compressor already for use in my garage and paint booth, it just isn't portable, and I would not have a use for a portable one, which is why I was considering the tomahawck due to it being able to run on both its own comp. as well as an external comp. Also, at 40lbs it isn't heavy, and could carry it easily to where I have two projects that would also

From the online reviews, and lack of anyone here having personal experience with it, I think I will pass on it, and go with either a Hobart 40i, or the Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 40, and run it off of argon for the two projects.

 

[Yomax4]

I have an 8cfm@90psi compressor already for use in my garage and paint booth, it just isn't portable, and I would not have a use for a portable one, which is why I was considering the tomahawck due to it being able to run on both its own comp. as well as an external comp. Also, at 40lbs it isn't heavy, and could carry it easily to where I have two projects that would also

From the online reviews, and lack of anyone here having personal experience with it, I think I will pass on it, and go with either a Hobart 40i, or the Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 40, and run it off of argon for the two projects.

No Argon. Or Nitrogen. Just get a tank of compressed air. It's clean and dry and works better than any compressor. 346 or 590 CGA adaptor needed with your PSI Regulator.

 

[Yomax4]

Another thing to consider. With the Cutmaster units there is a torch called the SL42. It has a technology called Vent to Shield. It uses only like 2.5 CFM of air compared to Industry standard 7.5 CFM. This allows the use of a small pancake compressor to run it. This was designed to combat the built in compressor market which I think the Dragon Plus already owned. I'm not selling or suggesting you buy anything. I'm simply the messenger. I might even have a torch or two for sale who knows. No I don't work there.

 

[CA_Bgrwldr]

Another thing to consider. With the Cutmaster units there is a torch called the SL42. It has a technology called Vent to Shield. It uses only like 2.5 CFM of air compared to Industry standard 7.5 CFM. This allows the use of a small pancake compressor to run it. This was designed to combat the built in compressor market which I think the Dragon Plus already owned. I'm not selling or suggesting you buy anything. I'm simply the messenger. I might even have a torch or two for sale who knows. No I don't work there.

Are all the SL line of torches the same, the one I am looking at comes with an SL60 torch?

Do the Cutmasters ignite in the tip, or on contact?

 

[Gary Fowler]

I love my little Kobalt Quiet Air compressor. It is so quiet that you can carry on a normal conversation while standing right beside it. I moved my Craftsman oiless to the outside because it is so loud. I cant recall what I paid for the Kobalt but I think it was less than $200 and it is very portable with collapsible handle and wheels to roll it around on.

 

[Yomax4]

Are all the SL line of torches the same, the one I am looking at comes with an SL60 torch?

Do the Cutmasters ignite in the tip, or on contact?

There is an SL40 it's 40 amp max. Has VTS technology. (Vent to shield) only uses 2.5 CFM air. There is an SL60 which is 80 amp max. Uses 7.5 CFM air and there is an SL100 that's 120 amps max. the 60 and 100 use the same parts except the tip. The SL40 has similar looking and functioning parts but they are smaller and not quite as durable. All the SL's are Pilot arc so they can cut off the work or drag on the plate. if you drag over 60 amps you need a different drag nozzle with a drag crown.

 

[CA_Bgrwldr]

There is an SL40 it's 40 amp max. Has VTS technology. (Vent to shield) only uses 2.5 CFM air. There is an SL60 which is 80 amp max. Uses 7.5 CFM air and there is an SL100 that's 120 amps max. the 60 and 100 use the same parts except the tip. The SL40 has similar looking and functioning parts but they are smaller and not quite as durable. All the SL's are Pilot arc so they can cut off the work or drag on the plate. if you drag over 60 amps you need a different drag nozzle with a drag crown.

Thanks for the info, kind of thought it might be a pilot arc but hadn't found anything confirming it like I had with the Hobart 40i.

This was the model I was looking at. https://store.cyberweld.com/thermal-dynamics-cutmaster-40-1-4000-1.html

 

[CA_Bgrwldr]

Decided to go with the Thermal Dynamics, package and price was too good to not too. Will see how it performs in the next few days as I get started on another trailer project.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Does it have the built in compressor or did you decide to go with an outboard compressor?

 

[CA_Bgrwldr]

External, the cost and extras made it the wiser buy, and being 110/220, it is more convenient, The reviews were not that great on the Lincoln, it sounded like it had a small tank that you needed to let prime before using it, not direct like with the Hobart Airforce 12 I have. Also. it looks like Home Depot rents a 13cfm at 90psi gas compressor, so for the couple of projects the internal comp would have been useful, isn't an issue.

Tried it out the other day on 120/20amp circuit, and it blew through ,250 rusted/painted angle iron with ease, that is once I got the hang of the new gun and dialed in right. Unlike the Hobart that had 1/16th standoff, this one is 1/8-3/8's, and it wont allow you to run it beyond the amps of the circuit, it will fire and shut off.

 

[Yomax4]

You have the latest technology in plasma. OEM torch instead of a power supply with an old style sourced torch from Italy or China. Only TD and HYP have OEM torches and consumables and both are worthy of support.

 

[CA_Bgrwldr]

You have the latest technology in plasma.

That is what I kind of figured I was dealing with the dial and digital readout, and how it wouldn't stay lit when I had the dial set at 20 amps, and was on a 15 amp breaker.
When I dialed it down to 15, it worked similar to the Hobart Airforce on the .250 material, I wasn't too impressed. Then I switched over to the 20amp outlet, to see if if that was the issue, and got an idea of what it will do. Of course had to see what it would do set for more than 20amps. no real issue until I got to above 23 amps. it would pop the breaker after
about 2-3 inches of continuous cutting. Will be resolving that issue this weekend, will be wiring up a 50 amp 125vlt outlet in the garage, have one slot available in the current panel,
and one on my welding cart to plug the cutter into. Fortunately when I made the extension cored for the cart, I went with 10/2 wire, so just have to swap the end on it.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Is that just a 120volt machine. Will it not run on 220? My Everlast 206 runs on both. It will only go to 25 amps on 120 (self limiting) and the cut shows it. I am thinking that it and yours likely senses the voltage not the available amps at the breaker. I am curious to see if you can get 50 amps from a 120v circuit.

 

[Yomax4]

That is what I kind of figured I was dealing with the dial and digital readout, and how it wouldn't stay lit when I had the dial set at 20 amps, and was on a 15 amp breaker.
When I dialed it down to 15, it worked similar to the Hobart Airforce on the .250 material, I wasn't too impressed. Then I switched over to the 20amp outlet, to see if if that was the issue, and got an idea of what it will do. Of course had to see what it would do set for more than 20amps. no real issue until I got to above 23 amps. it would pop the breaker after
about 2-3 inches of continuous cutting. Will be resolving that issue this weekend, will be wiring up a 50 amp 125vlt outlet in the garage, have one slot available in the current panel,
and one on my welding cart to plug the cutter into. Fortunately when I made the extension cored for the cart, I went with 10/2 wire, so just have to swap the end on it.

You're not running the Plas on 230v?

 

[Gary Fowler]

The only reason I see to run on 110 is if you are too far from 220 and can run 110 extension cord to the work but then you are still limited to half the rated thickness of the machine, maybe 3/16-1/4" max.
Even in remote areas, many machines are ok to run on generators. Just need a little adapt-a-kit to make the plugs work in a genset.