{"title":"Plasma Cutters","description":"\u003ch2\u003eBuying a plasma cutter for your shop\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA plasma cutter is the step up from cutting everything with an angle grinder. It cuts any conductive metal (steel, stainless, aluminum) fast and with a narrow kerf. Before you pick one, sort out three things: how thick you cut, what power you have, and whether your compressor can keep up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRated cut, clean cut and sever cut\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eManufacturers list more than one thickness. The \u003cstrong\u003erated cut\u003c\/strong\u003e is the thickness the machine cuts at a usable speed, about 20 inches per minute. The \u003cstrong\u003esever cut\u003c\/strong\u003e is the most it can get through at all, slowly and with a rough edge. Buy for the rated cut on the material you cut most often. Every listing here shows both numbers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePower\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmall plasma cutters run on 120V, but most 40 to 45 A machines want a 240V circuit and some have no 120V option at all. Check the plug type and input amps on the product page before you order.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAir is the hidden requirement\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlasma cutters run on compressed air, and they need a steady supply: a 45 A machine typically wants around 6 to 7 CFM at 90 PSI. A small pancake compressor won't keep up. Plan on a shop compressor, plus a filter or dryer, because wet or oily air shortens consumable life fast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eConsumables and CNC\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eElectrodes, nozzles and shields (or one-piece cartridges on some machines) wear out with use. Factor their cost into the machine price. If a CNC table is in your future, look for a machine with a CNC port and a machine torch option, and plan on torch height control.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"hypertherm-powermax45-sync-plasma-cutter","title":"Hypertherm Powermax45 SYNC Plasma Cutter","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Powermax45 SYNC is a 45 A hand plasma cutter that cuts 5\/8 in. steel at a usable speed and severs 1-1\/8 in. It runs on a 240V welder circuit and shop air.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eInstead of a separate electrode, swirl ring, nozzle and shield, it uses one-piece SmartSYNC cartridges. The torch reads the cartridge and sets the mode and amperage, and you adjust amps right on the torch handle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlan your air before you buy: it needs about 7 scfm at 90 psi, clean and dry.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hypertherm","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54641417486620,"sku":"088560","price":2785.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0966\/2247\/7596\/files\/sms-hypertherm-powermax45-sync.jpg?v=1790970357"}],"url":"https:\/\/shopmadesupply.com\/collections\/cutting.oembed","provider":"Shop Made Supply","version":"1.0","type":"link"}