HF start or Pilot Arc

[Odyknuck]

For those of you that have used both styles is the Pilot arc worth the extra money? I have no experience with the Pilot arc style machine

[performance]

A machine can have pilot arc and be either a HF start or a blowback start. But some HF units don't have pilot arc and all examples of blowback (that I can think of) have a pilot arc. Having a Pilot Arc is invaluable and helps with maintaining the arc while cutting less than perfect material.

[everlastsupport]

I vote pilot arc as well. You can also burn through paint and grease and other items the HF units sometimes will not jump though. Out Power Plasma 50 is a nice little unit, you can cut up to 1" with it and is also IGBT based.

[ShaneJackson]

Another unit to consider is the Supercut 50P. It is a HF with pilot acr unit. I picked mine up on ebay for $429 shipped. For the price, I think it is the best bang for the buck. Mine should be here Wednesday (Fingers crossed).

[performance]

The PowerPlasma will out cut the mosfet based SuperCut 50P. Not that the SC50P isn't a good value, but there's more to cutting than amps. The torch consumables are locally available on the PP50 in many areas, when they are not on the SC50 and 50P.

[ShaneJackson]

The price difference on the PowerPlasma 50 and SuperCut 50p is nearly double (when you figure in the Ebay auction price.. of $429 vs $850). I am sure some need the extra cutting capability and for the price the PowerPlasma (50, 60, 70, ...) are still one of the best priced units out there. I however don't need the extra cutting capacity. I seriously doubt I would ever cut anything over 1/2". Honestly, 1/4" will probably be the thickest I will ever cut... unless I am just playing around... As such I fell I would be better off saving the money and putting it towards a better Tig unit (I want the PowerTig 200DX bad!)

As for consumables, I order stuff online most of the time anyways so it is no big deal for me.

[Odyknuck]

A machine can have pilot arc and be either a HF start or a blowback start. But some HF units don't have pilot arc and all examples of blowback (that I can think of) have a pilot arc. Having a Pilot Arc is invaluable and helps with maintaining the arc while cutting less than perfect material.

Whats the difference between the HF and blowback?

[Odyknuck]

The price difference on the PowerPlasma 50 and SuperCut 50p is nearly double (when you figure in the Ebay auction price.. of $429 vs $850). I am sure some need the extra cutting capability and for the price the PowerPlasma (50, 60, 70, ...) are still one of the best priced units out there. I however don't need the extra cutting capacity. I seriously doubt I would ever cut anything over 1/2". Honestly, 1/4" will probably be the thickest I will ever cut... unless I am just playing around... As such I fell I would be better off saving the money and putting it towards a better Tig unit (I want the PowerTig 200DX bad!)

As for consumables, I order stuff online most of the time anyways so it is no big deal for me.

Yea I tend to agree with you on not needing the higher priced unit as the one i have (albiet its broke now lol) did what i needed it to do. I am hobbyist that uses a Plasma cutter several times a year so why spend money for the better machine.

[Titan winch]

It should be noted that there is also a big diference in the components used between the Supercut and the PowerPlasma. As a quick example the cooling fan is practicaly twice the size and is not the plastic housing found in the mosfet unit . the heat sink is a larger and many of the components used are of a heavy duty nature compared to the supercut. The technologu used goes beyond the differences with IGBT and Mosfet although the Supercut does use a IGBT Chip to control lov voltage pilot arc start. ( powerplasma 50 has no HF function and uses continous blow back.
I will be using the PowerPlasma 50 amp some other types on a CNC set up in a couple of days when i arrive at the Factory.

cheers

[SeanMurphy265]

I own the Super Cut 50 and PP60C. At the time I never thought I would start a CNC project. I think the PP60C will be great for my CNC setup, and will also have more than enough power for me. I probably should have went with a PowerPlasma 50 and ordered a machine torch to go with it. The Super Cut 50 is a weekend warrior, hobby level cutter. It's good for cutting sheet metal and plate within it's capability. It's weakness is gouging because of it's duty cycle. Making cuts you will probably never bump the duty cycle of the SC50 because you have measuring and layout between cut, or moving your guide as well. If all your going to do is cut here and there it will work just fine. I think one of the advantages of a plasma cutter is cutting out old welds. This can take a good bit of running time, and the SC50 is weak in this area. The PP50 also has a CNC port and with the DIY market a cnc table is more in reach now than ever. You can get a 2x2 turn key system from Eagle Plasma for under $2,000.00 minus the plasma cutter. You have to consider how you are going to use a plasma cutter before you purchase.

[ShaneJackson]

My SuperCut 50P arrived today Not had time to try it out yet but no signs of UPS football time with it. One side note, the duty cycle is listed as 50A 60% and 40a 100%.... same as the PowerPlasma 50.

[performance]

Yes it is listed that way...but pushing it to that limit repeatedly, the unit will not last as long (life span) as the igbt units will.

[Odyknuck]

Well I took the plunge and bought the Supercut 50P off ebay for $429.00 shipped. It will serve me well for what little use it will get.