HARBOR FREIGHT PLASMA CUTTERS

[TIMAR]

Are any of them any good? Saw one in there ad/flyer today. 230V. Would not use it daily. Maybe once a week average

 

[Anonymous-0]

have one so fare so good BUY THE EXTRA WARRENTY THEN BEFOR THE TWO YEARS ARE UP RETUREN IT FOR A NEW ONE {{{{{THEY TELL YOU TO DO THAT}}}}}}

 

[Stan in Oly, WA]

Hi TIMAR,

Aside form the political, economic, and moral considerations, one of the main objections to Chinese made welders, plasma cutters, and related equipment is that support is likely to be sketchy to non-existent, parts may not be available, etc. The equipment Harbor Freight sells may not be any better than Chinese equipment you could get anywhere else, but H/F actually will stand behind it to the limits of the warranty. You definitely will want to pay for the two year extended warranty because you're highly likely to be SOL without it after the 90 day standard warranty is up.

If you get something at a good sale price or use one of H/F's 20% discount coupons (or both---as you're allowed to do), they won't just replace the item when you take it in under the extended warranty. You have to pay the difference between what you paid for it and what it's selling for then. Also, that's the end of the warranty. If you want the replacement unit to be under extended warranty, you have to pay for it again.

Another thing to consider is whether you'll be using the plasma cutter for anything that can't wait while you go through the process of getting a replacement when the original craps out on you. I had a concrete vibrator under extended warranty but guess what, it's never going to stop working except when you're using it. When it quit in the middle of a concrete pour, I had no choice except to finish the job without it. That taught me the big difference between a good warranty and a good piece of equipment.

One other thing to consider is how far you'll have to travel to deal with H/F. If it's not close, or if you're talking about mail order, you'd do well to think about the time and expense you'll incur dealing with problems at a distance.

If you get it, let us know what you think of it.

All the best, Stan

 

[Plane Bart]

I purchase alot of odd and seldom use tools from Harbor Freight. the thing is the are cheap that why we Brought them but the bottom line is most of the time they get the job done at a fraction of the cost of a name brand.
as posted before me get the warrenty, they will replace it.
the stuff I use to make a Living With and stuff I use often I by the Best made.
Stuff you beat on with a hammer use once a year or just by to have I get from Harbor Freight.

 

[TIMAR]

Thanks for the insight!

 

[504]

The people I deal with who have had older machines and have bought the new machines in the last 2 years tell me it is like going from a torch to a plasma all over again. The cost of consumable is less and performance is that improved. Check a local welding supply shop, you maybe surprised at the cost of a new USA machine.

 

[Anonymous-0]

hypertherm all the way

 

[Stan in Oly, WA]

You're missing the point of the question. Do you think people buy Kias because they really prefer them to Mercedes? Most people understand that Hypertherm makes better plasma cutters than the no-brand Chinese ones at Harbor Freight, but they cost three times as much. If that's not something that's an issue for you, then lucky you. TIMAR asked about the quality of the ones Harbor Freight sells.

Stan

 

[Kevin2]

Do they actually stock the consumables now? Laughed my butt off when I looked at it and asked the guy "where are the consumables?" Answer was "huh?"
Bought an American one for twice the money AND a big box of consumables.