Anyone familiar with SIP Plasma Cutters?

[Twilight Fenrir]

While browsing my local Craigslist, I came across an add for an SIP Plasma 30 plasma cutter for $120. Now, $120 for any plasma cutter sounds pretty awesome, especially with all the metal work I do...

But, was wondering if anyone has used/heard about this brand before? Is it a decent tool?

[Aunt Phil]

Horrible Freight will make you happier.

SIP is supposedly English product, read that as crap from China that makes Lucas Electrics look like the top of the mountain.

[oldgoaly]

look to see if it uses common consumables, older transformer units are better built. I have a 30 yr old Cebora (Italian) that cuts like the day it was made. Back then the lira was very low only cost 400$ could sell it for more now.

[Twilight Fenrir]

Thanks for the input Aunt Phil

look to see if it uses common consumables, older transformer units are better built. I have a 30 yr old Cebora (Italian) that cuts like the day it was made. Back then the lira was very low only cost 400$ could sell it for more now.

He says it's an Itallian model, transformer type. I'm not actually sure what that means though, I've used a Plasma cutter, but I don't have an in depth knowledge of their workings.

[Aunt Phil]

Anything involving a PC board since lead free solder left the factory with a limited life, with a built in self destruct mechanism.  That's reality.

Plasma isn't magic, and it damn sure isn't cheap.  Cost of cutting per foot is equal to O/A and if you aren't going to recoup your costs you're better off not having plasma.  Mine is a 25 year old Thermal Dynamics, transformer driven, with consumables that are still available at high cost. 

I've only been running Plasma contraptions since they ran on a mix of 3 gases, so I think I'm somewhat qualified to comment on plasma cutting.  Over the last 10 years I've watched a few SuperSalesmen import container loads of machines, fling crap at customers, and sneak off to hide when the crap came back off the fan. 

Before you get into plasma, accept that you will either install an air source capable of delivering very dry air or you will spend more than the cost of the air system over time on wasted consumables. 

Then go to Hypertherm's web site and learn about plasma and what can be done with it.  Hypertherm is a US company that is now employee owned and destined to be around for a long time.  The company was built on honest representation of product capability and products that deliver what the company says they will. 

I have experience with Hypertherm, Lincoln, ESAB, Miller, Thermal Dynamics and a number of off shore plasma machines,  and MOST IMPORTANT the customer service delivered by every one of those manufacturers.  If you own plasma you WILL need service from the manufacturer at some point, and you'll get that service from Hypertherm. 

If I buy a new plasma cutting machine it will be Hypertherm!

[oldgoaly]

Cebora is one of the world's largest makers of welders & plasma's.
http://www.cebora.it/home_welding_uk.html
They sold them to retailers to be rebranded, if it has a old style or high dollar replacement,
one can change the torch to a common style, not all that  difficult.

[Nolatoolguy]

Aunt Phil is right about hypertherm.

There top notch machines. At my old work we had powermaxes for cutting both hand an mainly on cnc. My new work has powermax machines an a max pro in the shop. We have powermax 65s on the larger trucks. They bounced around an used hard, no problems. Biggest issue I have heard is keeping the air dry cause we're running off a engine driven welder/ generator/compresser out in the field. I haven't used them much at my new work yet but mainly there used for gouging an hand cutting.

From a use standpoint I have no complaints. There simple to set. Consumables an torches are quick to change. The drag tip on the new units is a lot better then some of the older style units that don't have drag tips. It's do able either way but just easier when you don't have to maintain a torch height.

Only thing I think would make a hypertherm better is if you could heat metal as well. Sorta like have a rosebud tip. I don't see how it's possible with plasma but it's all I can thank of to make them better.

[Twilight Fenrir]

Aunt Phil is right about hypertherm.

There top notch machines. At my old work we had powermaxes for cutting both hand an mainly on cnc. My new work has powermax machines an a max pro in the shop. We have powermax 65s on the larger trucks. They bounced around an used hard, no problems. Biggest issue I have heard is keeping the air dry cause we're running off a engine driven welder/ generator/compresser out in the field. I haven't used them much at my new work yet but mainly there used for gouging an hand cutting.

From a use standpoint I have no complaints. There simple to set. Consumables an torches are quick to change. The drag tip on the new units is a lot better then some of the older style units that don't have drag tips. It's do able either way but just easier when you don't have to maintain a torch height.

Only thing I think would make a hypertherm better is if you could heat metal as well. Sorta like have a rosebud tip. I don't see how it's possible with plasma but it's all I can thank of to make them better.

As much as I would like to get a nice one... I can't throw that kind of money at one right now X3 It would just be a nice addition to my blacksmith shop, I have cutting torches and welders etc, but a plasma cutter would be nice for smaller metal. Mostly it's just hobby work right now, and it's not exactly profitable yet ^^;

The one I posted about got sold almost immediately, but it's still good to know about it.

There's a Lotos on Amazon that has pretty high reviews from a lot of people for just $4-500 that is probably what I'm going to start with when I have some extra cash to throw around. That $125 just would have been a great price if it would have worked for now :P

[Aunt Phil]

Anyone even thinking about plasma in the future maybe someday NEEDS to go to Hypertherm's site and begin learning now.

You go to plasma you'll spend serious coin fast.  I could give you a plasma machine and you'd still spend money fast.

Air supply alone can drive you nuts in plasma cutting. 

[Twilight Fenrir]

Anyone even thinking about plasma in the future maybe someday NEEDS to go to Hypertherm's site and begin learning now.

You go to plasma you'll spend serious coin fast.  I could give you a plasma machine and you'd still spend money fast.

Air supply alone can drive you nuts in plasma cutting.

I'm good for air supply, I got that stuff set up when I painted my El Camino... (never painting another car again, too much of a PITA)

The consumables burn through that quickly? o.o

I got to play with a Miller at the master smith from whom I'm apprenticing's shop, but it was just for about a day. We didn't really dig into it too much.

I'll take your advice and do some reading, thanks :3