FREE SHIPPING - Hobart AirForce 250Ci 115V Inverter-Based Plasma Cutter with Built-in Air Compressor - 12 Amp Output, Model #500534
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plasma cutter
i think it is a good machine and it cuts 1/4 in stell and it is verey handy for small jobs and pitcher art i would recemend it to my friends and familley i woyld recemend norther tolls to all my friends and familly because all the toll do the jab that it is made for i have never had any problems with yalls tools
April 25, 2013
nice unit for intended purpose
Bought the plasma to work on cars and cut up to 12-16 guage metal and so far working on 14 guage the unit works well. If you hold the tip low it cuts like a knife but with tip held up slighly higher it cuts a wider cut ( free tip ). If you move fast (you will have to use it to see what I mean) it will leave attached metal but if you slow down and cut with a purpose it works fine. The recycle rate is ok (waiting up to a couple of minutes) after a 8-12 inch continuous cut but it was never intended to be heavy duty. And the drink break cutting with precision is welcomed sometimes. Overall good value but if you intend to do more than semi-serious hobby work step up. Works fine for what I do.
April 23, 2013
Easy to learn and use
Easy to set up and use. Good product for the money.
August 13, 2012
It works
As a metal sculptor I often use this product to cut specialty pieces. The machine is smooth but does take some getting used to. Overheating can happen but a good solution is a small external fan which keeps the unit cool. I like the portability of the unit. I transport mine constantly and it takes a beating but has never let me down.
October 17, 2011
Perfect for my hobby
I purchased this plasma cutter over a year ago to open up more options for me in my metal art. With no experiance with a plasma cutter of any kind, I had no problems operating this right out of the box, plug in, attach clamp, put cutter head to work piece and pull the trigger, it is that easy. I work in metals normally 1/8" and under and this cutter works very well for me in this range, working with heavy material than that would require an upgrade to something larger, read the specs. and be honest with yourself about what your after and you will be happy with this unit. The art I have been able to make with this unit has more than paid for it and as a hobby tool for the right material I highly recomend it.
June 14, 2011
Better than a light saber!
Awesome to cut metal with spark and air! This Hobart Plasma Cutter does what it says. I use it for auto restoration; it has saved me month's and agony over using a grinding wheel and cut off wheel. This model is able to cut out any/all steel frame members and spotwelds on my vintage Mustange. Easy to piece-out old rusty parts espicially in hard to access spots. This size unit works adequately for rough cutting and spotwelds - smaller size has actually saved my bacon NOT cutting through into adjoining panels! I'm mostly removing whole parts and welding new ones in place so slow and rough cuts are ok. Unit works well for fine cuts on body panels, however, if you need to make precision cuts on 1/8"-1/4" frame members you should purchase a larger unit. This size is a great starter unit - easy to learn and foregivving! When I buy a bigger one - I'll definately keep the 250 for it's portability (built in compressor) and ability to run on 110v power.
June 12, 2011
Hobart 250Ci Plasma Cutter -- for Hobbies
I would recommend this product for a hobbyist. It overheats and stops at the end of each cut. Takes 10-20 seconds to be able to start cutting again. Even on thin oil drum metal from, cutting is slow and achieving smooth curves difficult. Love that it's lightweight and has a built in compressor, but wish I'd invested in a larger model that cut thicker steel faster and cleaner!
March 22, 2011
Doesnt work well
But it does not cut what the specs say. It overheats and Shuts down all the time. Spend your money on a bigger one. I love Hobart equipment. This is the first one I have purchased that I cannot use for much of anything
March 14, 2011
Don't
I'm really surprised with most of the other comments. I'm sorry to say that my experience with this unit has been very frustrating. I've tried cutting 1/4"...a 6" cut took about 1/2 an hour to finally get thru. I've tried 3/16", 1/8", and recently as small as 26 guage. The 1/8" and 26 guage worked ok, but the unit still had trouble.
Biggest problem is that as you are cutting, the unit will stop in the middle of a run. You might get 10 seconds of cut time. You might get 1/2 a second of cut time, or anywhere in between. Once the unit stops, it won't start up again until 5 to 45 seconds of 'cool down time' has occurred. Frustrating barely covers it.
It is nice, however, that it comes with a built in air compressor. But that is about the only perk about it.
January 31, 2011
A great plasma cutter
My hobby is working on vintage cars and it often calls for cutting out panels and fabricating new ones.
This tool is perfect for that - it cuts through sheet metal steel like it was a hot knife cutting through butter. It is also good for 'drilling' out spot welds, although that takes a bit of practice. You basically hold the took under an angle over the spot weld, turn it on and then turn it straight. If you do it quickly, it zaps right through the spot weld.
I love the fact that the compressor is built in, yet it is still light and portable. It is also a lot quieter than using a cutoff wheel - nice if you're in relatively close proximity to your neighbor's house and want to work later into the evening hours without bothering people with lots of noise. It works great.
Make sure you have good power, though.
While you may have a 20Amp outlet, this cutter will not work well if that circuit is too loaded - i.e. you have too many things hanging off that particular breaker. While this plasma cutter may not pop your breaker under those conditions, it will shut off automatically.
That's how the unit is specified to operate so that's not a negative, imo.
November 23, 2010