Equipment

Best Jackson Welding Helmets of 2023

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Welding is a useful yet a dangerous process and any laxity regarding safety during welding can result in a host of health issues for the welder ranging from serious to even fatal. Safety cannot be compromised by buying faulty products made by brands having no trust factor in the market.

One of the most well-known names for welding protection equipment is The Jackson Safety Division which is of Kimberly-Clark Professional group of companies. It is one of the pioneers in making safety equipment for many industrial sectors, including welding. They also have both an excellent build quality and customers who swear by its products too.

Below is a list of the welding helmets that’ll be reviewed

Product NameCustomer ReviewsEditor Rating
Jackson Balder BH3 Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
 4.0 /5 Stars
Jackson Ace Of Spades NexGen Auto Dark Lens Welding Helmet
 4.0 / 5 Stars
Jackson Arc Angel BOSS EQC Auto Dark Lens Welding Helmet
 5.0 /5 Stars
Jackson I2 Insight Lens Welding Helmet
3.9 / 5 Stars
Jackson Black TrueSight II Lens Welding Helmet
3.9 / 5 Stars

Jackson Welding Helmet Reviews

Jackson Balder BH3 Auto Darkening Welding Helmet

The  Jackson Balder BH3 is an award-winning welding helmet having the best optical viewing quality of all helmets worldwide, only possible due to the application of cutting-edge Balder technology in its lens. The auto-dimming technology in unrivaled with excellent clarity and color recognition which provides its users a sharp and precise view of the metal they are welding. It also has variable shades ranging from 9-13 and this helmet never needs batteries and can recharge itself from the solar panels present on top of it.

The Jackson Balder BH3 also has a viewing area of 3.78×2.69 inches, making its users view the welds without lifting their helmets easily. It also comes with impact resistance, heat protection, and ventilation channels for a comfortable experience over a long time, and the helmet can also be used for protection during torch welding.

The helmet is also CE certified and has passed several safety tests with ease.

 Jackson Ace Of Spades NexGen Auto Dark Lens Welding Helmet

The Jackson Ace of Spades NexGen is an auto-dimming helmet with a unique decal style to appeal to card-playing hardcore welders. The helmet is extremely lightweight and provides superior comfort and protection, all under a package of under 6 ounces. The shell of the helmet is made of up premium HydraFlex material, which is flexible yet provides impact resistance and heat resistance. It also features variable shades ranging from 9-13 to provide superior clarity while working. It also has a large viewing area of around 9 square inches.

The helmet is powered by a beefy battery which provides up to 800 hours of working time. The helmet also has an auto-shutoff feature which switches its dimmers automatically when no activity is detected for 20 minutes. The lenses also have full-time UV/IR protection as well as an LCD with touch control buttons to adjust various parameters.

The helmet has also passed various certification tests and is also CE certified. It carries a 2-year warranty.

Jackson Arc Angel BOSS EQC Auto Dark Lens Welding Helmet

The Jackson Arc Angel BOSS is an auto-dimming helmet having a huge 13.2 square inches if viewing area, which is a whole 3 inches larger than other welding helmets. The shell is designed for comfort and is extremely lightweight, catering to welders welding over a long period of time in uncomfortable situations. The HydraFlex body is flexible yet can brace heavy impacts and the Duralogic metallic paint job makes the helmet an ideal choice for the style conscious.

The helmet has variable shades ranging from 9-12 and is powered by AAA batteries ensuring wide compatibility. It also is 3-in-1 capable, meaning it can support weld, grind as well as cut mode, resulting is increased productivity and re-usability and decreased costs. The helmet also has buttons for adjusting the sensitivity as well as a delay of the tints.

The Jackson Arc Angel BOSS is also CE certified, along with a range of other certifications. The helmet has a 2-year warranty.

Jackson I2 Insight Lens Welding Helmet

The Jackson I2 Insight Lens helmet in an auto-dimming helmet with a 1/10000 second tint switching speed, to ensure continued protection of the eyes with variable weld intensities. It has a viewing area of 3.93×2.36 inches, which provides a big enough view of the weld the person is working on. It comes in a HydraFlex shell and has a stylish flame paint job too. It also features 9-13 variable shades and is powered by two lithium batteries.

The helmet can also be set in the weld or grind mode to adapt to the different working needs of the user. It also has LED lit controls to change and cycle through different modes as well as set various parameters for the helmet. The Jackson I2 insight also features sensitivity and delay adjustments with a built-in magnification lens holder.

The helmet meets ANSI Z87.1-2010 standards and is CSA Z94.3 as well as CE compliant.

Jackson Black TrueSight II Lens Welding Helmet

The Jackson TrueSight II is powered by the Balder lens technology, which gives excellent clarity and true-to-life color reproduction. The helmet possesses an optical classification of 1/1/1/1, which leads to it offering the best view of weld puddle in the world. The lens also has a 3-in-1 mode, which allows it to be used effortlessly for weld, grind as well as for cut operations. The shell is lightweight yet durable providing comfort as well as impact protection.

The lens has a huge 13 square inches of viewing area and also features dual variable range from 5-8 as well as from 9-13. It also has an LCD with control buttons for setting the helmet according to usage and features delay as well as sensitivity adjustment options. The helmet also has an “Auto-ON” function which switches on the tint function of the helmet itself on detecting welding flashes.

The helmet meets ANSI Z87.1-2010 and is CE as well as CSA Z94.3 compliant.

Jackson Safety Background Information

Jackson Safety Division is making welding helmets for the last 75 years, so you can rest assured that they know their craft well. Their products are one of the most comfortable sold in the market currently, and they also make different types of helmets for different head sizes, for different work uses as well as for different price points.

The company spends a lot of money on research and development of new technologies to increase comfort as well as reduce stress while using the helmets. Their products are also durable, rugged and reliable and have been proven to go on for almost forever.

Jackson’s helmets were the first in the market to feature auto-dimming technology. This technology auto-detects the welding intensity and adjusts the tint in the lenses appropriately, ensuring visual comfort as well as protection against toxic elements. So today we look at the best Jackson helmets for different welding applications.

The Jackson helmets we have for review up today are all the best in their range and feature the useful auto-dimming technology. In no particular order, they are as follows:

  • Jackson Balder BH3 Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
  • Jackson Ace Of Spades NexGen Auto Dark Lens Welding Helmet
  • Jackson Arc Angel BOSS EQC Auto Dark Lens Welding Helmet
  • Jackson I2 Insight Lens Welding Helmet
  • Jackson Black TrueSight II Lens Welding Helmet

We will discuss briefly each of the welding helmets, along with its use case in detail below.

Why Purchase A Jackson Welding Helmet?

Jackson products strive to provide the balance between comfort and safety and implement their latest research technologies in their products to make their products unique as well as standards compliant. They understand the needs of the welding community well and they also reach out to their customers for continuous feedback to improve their products and make them more and more welder-friendly.

Their products are one of the best when it comes to safety and durability as well as cost effectiveness. Overall it can be said that one cannot go wrong buying Jackson products and the proof of this fact is the swathes of customers which buy, use and trust Jackson as well as recommend it to friends and family.

Best Portable Welding Blankets, Curtains, and Screens – Reviews & Buyers Guide

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In an activity such as welding it is of the upmost importance that you have the equipment necessary to keep you safe. Do you work in a scenario that requires maximized optical protection? If so, A portable welding screen is a great piece of equipment to have on hand. They are extremely popular among both hobby and professional welders for their ability to provide protection in a high-temperature environment, and also their ability to protect against weld sparks and splatter.

Welding curtains and screens function differently depending on what kind you purchase, some are hung over surfaces or other pieces of equipment that need to be protected, while others are just hung from the ceiling to frame in a working space.

Any person who considers themselves a welder will likely have multiple of these on hand. After all, protection is key in a strenuous job such as this.

Below are the welding blankets, sheets, and curtains that will be reviewed.

ProductCustomer ReviewEditor Rating
Steiner Carbonized Fiber Welding Blanket 4.9 / 5 Stars
Tillman 2 Panel Blue Vinyl Welding Curtain 4.8 / 5 Stars
Tillman Medium Duty Leather Welding Blanket 4.8 / 5 Stars

How do you assemble a welding screen?

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Best Portable Welding Blankets, Curtains, and Screens Reviews

Steiner 316-8×10 Velvet Shield

The Steiner Velvet Shield is a very tough welding blanket designed to withstand high temperatures and the daily welding environment. It’s a cheap option that is only a pound,  and measures 8 feet by 10 feet long. And the most important part? It can withstand an environment and direct weld splatter of up to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit! Our recommended option is the 8 by 10 due to size and ability to provide coverage, however, they do produce smaller sizes for other welding environments. It’s CFM approved and has been professionally stress-tested in order to make sure it is reliable.

Tillman 6042066 2 Panel Blue Vinyl

Tillman 6042066 2 Panel Blue Vinyl Best Portable Welding Blankets, Curtains, and Screens

We absolutely love that this curtain comes with a built-in standing frame. It sets it apart from competitors and makes it extremely useful. Let’s say you are in a situation where you are welding a boat in a boatyard, you don’t want to get any splatter on neighboring boats. What do you do? Use this! The curtain is quite durable and provides a solid welding protection as you can see. Built to help disperse light, it will reduce shadows and other things that can make a welding job difficult. Flame retardant and CFM approved, this is a must-have in any welders toolkit.

Tillman 599B Leather Welding Blanket

Tillman 599B Leather Welding Blanket Best Portable Welding Blankets, Curtains, and Screens

Another Tillman welding product that we recommend, it’s leather and much tougher than a cloth blanket will be. Just like the cloth blankets, it protects sparks and spatters. It’s a great solution for situations ranging from heavy-duty work to automotive to any kind of job where thin sheet metal may be required.

A downside to this welding blank is that it doesn’t fold up as nicely as a cloth one does, so it takes up some space. It also does not have the built-in grommets for hanging, however, you could punch holes and add them yourself.

What is the best MIG welder on the market?

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Anybody can go out and buy a MIG welder, but not anyone can buy a good MIG welder. This is because selecting a MIG welder can be a very confusing task. To help eliminate some of the confusion, I will discuss the important components of a MIG welder. I will also tell you what to consider when buying a welder and some of the best welders on the market today.

Below are the MIG welders that’re going to be reviewed

Product NameCustomer ReviewsEditor Rating
Lotos MIG 140 
 4.2 /5 Stars
Everlast Poweri-MIG 140E
 4.1 / 5 Stars
Lincoln Electric K2185-1
 4.4 /5 Stars

What factors should you consider when you’re purchasing a MIG welder?

Input and Output Power

The amount of power that you require will be dependent on the type of project that you will be working on. If you plan on working on smaller, DIY, home-based projects, then I recommend that you select a 115V welder with an output of 140A. But, if you are planning on working with larger, more complex projects, then a 220V welder with an output of 180A would be better suited for your project.

Power

Consider the amount of power that you would need on the thickness of the materials that you use. If you plan on welding material that is 1.0 mm thick, then it’s recommended that you select a MIG welder with a minimum of 30 amps. Go for less than 30 amps if you plan on working with thinner sheets. Or, go for more than 30 amps if you work with thicker sheets. Remember the thirty rule in this case.

Duty Cycle

If you plan on using your MIG welder for long periods during the course of a single day, then consider the duty cycle. A duty cycle at 20 percent would work non-stop for two consecutive minutes. Remember that by putting more power in the output, the duty cycle will be shorter.

Wire-Feed Speed

Every MIG welder works at a different wire-feed speed. Every different material requires a different wire-feed speed in order to ensure an accurate welding. This is why every MIG welder comes with various speeds choices to accommodate various materials.

Spool Gun

Spool guns are often used with aluminum materials. If you decide to go with a spool gun, then I recommend that you select one that has special features for better welding. One important feature on spool guns is the euro-connect. Now that you know five of the most important characteristics involved in choosing a MIG welder, I will now discuss some of the best MIG welders on the market.

These are the MIG Welding Reviews

Lotos MIG 140 

Lotos MIG 140 Best MIG Welders

If you are a beginner to welding, then I suggest that you select the Lotos MIG 140. This welder is the best on the market for beginners because it has easy to use buttons and has enough power for a wide range of home-based DIY projects.

Everlast Poweri-MIG 140E

EverlastPoweri-MIG 140E Best MIG Welders

But if you are not new to welding but looking to use it for the home, then I suggest that you go with the Lincoln Easy Mig 140 with an input power of 120V. But if you plan on welding outside the home, then consider the Everlast Poweri-MIG 140E. This welder’s unique feature is its ability to invert power so that you can use it in remote sites where there might be a shortage of power.

Lincoln Electric K2185-1

Lincoln Electric K2185-1 Best MIG Welders

If you are watching your budget, then I suggest that you choose the Lincoln Electric K2185-1. This extremely affordable welder is a powerful 115V tool with an output of 88A.

Best TIG Welders – Reviews & Buyer Guide

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Unlike a lot of other types of welding, TIG welding does have a bit more of a degree of difficulty. The first thing when looking to begin welding is to make sure you have yourself in a steady position. The reason that the steady position is so important is due to the fact that you will have to be within 1mm of the item you are welding. Make sure that your muscles are relaxed. It is often not advised that you weld after doing any type of physical activity. If possible, make sure that the workshop is at as comfortable of a temperature as possible. Often a person will make the discovery that they need glasses to see where they need to weld when they first begin to weld. The reason for this is due to having to be so close to the area. You will need to make sure that you choose the right angle as well as the right size rod for what you are looking to weld.

Below are the TIG welders to be reviewed:

Product NameCustomer ReviewsEditor Rating
2018 AHP AlphaTIG 200X 200 Amp IGBT AC DC Tig/Stick Welder with PULSE 110v 200v
 4.6 /5 Stars
2018 EVERLAST PowerARC 161 HF TIG Stick IGBT Welder 110/220 Dual Voltage
 5.0 / 5 Stars
Lincoln Electric Square Wave TIG 200 TIG Welder, K5126-1
 4.0 /5 Stars
Hobart 500551 EZ-TIG 165i AC/DC TIG Welder 230V
 4.1 / 5 Stars

TIG welder reviews

2023 AHP AlphaTIG 200X 200 Amp IGBT AC DC Tig/Stick Welder with PULSE 110v 200v

2018 AHP AlphaTIG 200X 200 Amp IGBT AC DC Tig/Stick Welder with PULSE 110v 200v Best TIG Welders

This well-put-together machine has a design that is meant to provide value and functionality to its users. The item features a neatly organized inside as well as solid brass units that will do a great job of prolonging the life of the machine itself. When it comes to functionality the item will provide users with what they need due to the fact that it has highly functional features that are meant to do so. While the AHP Alpha may cost a bit more than the average item, it does have features which justify the price.

2023 EVERLAST PowerARC 161 HF TIG Stick IGBT Welder 110/220 Dual Voltage

2018 EVERLAST PowerARC 161 HF TIG Stick IGBT Welder 110/220 Dual Voltage Best TIG welders

This rather versatile welder is another great choice for those individuals who require a bit more in the way of functionality from their welding machine. This welder features a dual voltage design which allows the welder to be used for a wide range of environments. The design of this welder also features a design that allows it to give users a bit more leeway in what they can do with their weld. It can be used for both TIG welding and MIG welding which is another plus for the tool.

Lincoln Electric Square Wave TIG 200 TIG Welder, K5126-1

Lincoln Electric Square Wave TIG 200 TIG Welder, K5126-1 Best TIG welders

This TIG welder comes right out of the box with all of the materials that one would need in order to effectively use it. It sells for a bit higher of a price than the many other welders mentioned but it does provide an adequate level of functionality to make up for it’s higher than average pricing point. The weight of this welder -73.2 lbs – is slightly below average as well. It also functions as both a stick welder and gives users a bit more of an option in terms of they can use the Lincoln Electric for.

Hobart 500551 EZ-TIG 165i AC/DC TIG Welder 230V

Hobart 500551 EZ-TIG 165i AC/DC TIG Welder 230V Best TIG Welders

This beast of a TIG welder known as the Hobart AC/DC Tig welder is a 220 Volt AC/DC dedicated welder. It comes with all of the standard torches and gauges necessary to begin welding right out of the box. With that being said, it has a 110% duty cycle that allows the machine to stay hard at work and provide both novice and experienced welders with a lifetime worth of use. Another thing to note is that the welder features a materials selection (AC/DC); this means that the user can choose what setting they would like to weld against with their tool.

What is TIG/ GTAW Welding?

Gas Tungsten arc welding which is known as GTAW can also be called by its other common name of tungsten inert gas welding. This is a process that employs the use of a non-consumable tungsten electrode that produces the weld. Unlike other types of welding, TIG welding protects the welding surface with a gas such as argon or helium that is inert from contamination from the atmosphere. While not all the time, a filler metal may be used as well. Certain types of welds known as autogenous welds will not require a filler metal. The process uses a constant electrical power supply that creates an electrical energy that is then conducted through the formed arc across the gasses and vapors of metal which produces what is called plasma.

What do you look for in TIG welders?

When looking for a TIG welder, there are certain things that you will need and want to look for to make sure that you are getting the best value for your money. This is not like buying a number of the other types of welders. Things like amperage range, low amperage welding abilities, AC/DC Welding are a few of the things that you need to look for when buying your first TIG welder. One last thing that you will want to look at is the types of controls that the welder has, make sure that it has the controls that you need to control the various types of functions.

Best Plasma Cutters – Reviews & Buyers Guide

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Plasma cutting technology has had significant improvement in recent years. Previously plasma cutters were known as huge clunky welding machines, but nowadays there is a category known as portable plasma cutters (which is what we will be covering today). The modern-day portable plasma cutter is perfect for professionals who need to be able to transport their tools as well as hobbyists who like to be able to use their tools, and then once the project is complete get the tools out sight and out of mind. This post will outline for you what to look for when purchasing a plasma cutter as well as review the machines known as the best plasma cutters on the market today.

Our comparisons below will be covering details and just about everything you need to know for quality plasma cutter reviews to help in your buying decisions.

These are the plasma cutters that will be reviewed. 

Plasma CutterCustomer ReviewsEditor RatingRecommended Usage
Lotos LTP5000D Pilot Arc
 4.8 / 5 Stars DIYer, Light business jobs
Lotos LTP5000D
 4.7 / 5 Stars DIYer, Light business jobs
Ramsond CUT
 4.6 / 5 Stars DIYer, Light business jobs
Hypotherm Powermax 45
 4.39 / 5 Stars DIYer, Light jobs, industrial jobs
Miller Spectrum 375
 5 / 5 Stars DIYer, Light business jobs

What criteria do you use to judge a plasma cutter?

Amperage

The amperage of the machine is the features that dictates the thickness of the material that it can cut. Something to keep in mind when we say this is that the amperage dictates the thickness in the upper limit that the welder can cut. Another thing to keep in mind when deciding on the amperage of the welder is the level of neatness that you would like your cut to have. If you want a cleaner cut, it’s probably best that you choose a cutter that has a lower amperage and vice versa for those with a higher amperage.

Price

The price of the item is an extremely important indicator to the overall quality of the plasma cutter as well. While it may not be true for all Plasma Cutters (or any item for that matter) the price will indicate to you how high quality the item is.

Cutting ability and performance

As with any machine, not all welders are created equally. Some have a higher cutting ability than others. In addition to this, not all Plasma Cutters are made with the ability to cut all material types. A vast majority of the cutting performance of a plasma cutter depends on the machines amperage, a quality that will be discussed in more depth below.

Duty cycle

The duty cycle of the Plasma Cutter is the amount of time the welder can operate without overheating. While the duty cycle may not be a major part of our review, it is definitely a necessary piece to know to make an informed decision on which machine is the best for your needs.

What are the types of Plasma Cutters? 

Semi-Portable Plasma Cutter

A plasma cutter that weighs below 100 lbs is one that is likely to be highly portable. These machines are best if you have sheets of metal that are below an inch thick and that can be cut in both the out and indoors.

Heavy Duty Plasma Cutter

Heavy Duty Plasma cutters are good if you have metal that’s between 1 and 1.5 inches thick. If you don’t see yourself cutting incredibly thick metals then it is probably best that you get a semi-portable plasma cutter.

Inverter-type Plasma Cutter

The longevity of this model is it’s saving grace. Inverter type plasma cutters are great because they don’t require their consumables to be replaced as often as other plasma cutters. The flow of plasma in inverter plasma cutters allow them to be a bit more consistent and make them a great choice for anyone seeking to lower their costs in the long run.

Plasma Cutter Reviews

Lotos LTP5000D Pilot Arc & Lotos LT5000D

Lotos LTP5000D Pilot Arc & Lotos LT5000D Best plasma cutters reviews

Catching us off guard as the best portable plasma cutter is the Lotos LTP5000D, it’s one of the cheapest if not the cheapest portable plasma cutter on the marketing, and it’s know to be extremely easy to use while producing top of the quality plasma cuts. This feedback tells us not to necessarily equate price to value in this case.

It’s a perfect low-cost option for hobbyists and do-it-yourselfers, and it even is well suited for light professional usage, however, this is probably not the option you want to use on heavy industrial cuts. It has a severance thickness of 3 /4 inch or 19mm and works best with an ideal material cut thickness of half-inch (this helps put it into perspective as to why we don’t recommend it for heavy duty usage). It has the option to come with or without a pilot arc depending on what you need, a cool and unique feature.

Featuring an input of 110/220 volts with up to 50amp it packs quite a punch in its 22.5 lbs frame. A one-year satisfaction warranty keeps your purchase safe and assures you that if anything fails or goes wrong, Lotos is there to cover their project. In terms of portability options, it’s a lightweight machine that you can carry with two hands or you can also use the attached folding handle for one-handed carry.

Downsides to this unit are it does not come with a trigger guard for the torch and it also does not come with a 110v pigtail (which needs to be purchased separately). Other than that it’s a solid pick for your need.

Pros

  • Very affordable
  • Designed for DIYers and professionals

Cons

  • Only a 1-year satisfaction warranty
  • Does not come with a trigger guard
Ramsond CUT 50DX 50  Portable Air Plasma Cutter 

Ramsond CUT 50DX 50  Portable Air Plasma Cutter Best plasma cutters reviews

A budget-conscious option plasma cutter, it is capable of cutting stainless steel, copper, brass, aluminum plate, carbon steel, and even alloy steel. It’s an all-around well-suited product. Perfect for your at home projects or dads side gigs, it’s also a solid option for the plasma cutting business owner and can fulfill it’s job on heavy duty and industrial jobs just as well as it can the DIYer projects.

A built-in air pressure gauge with built-in digital display makes it very easy to see the Ramsond CUT 50DY doing its job successfully or not. It’s capable of cutting objects up to three-quarters inch thick with a severance of up to 1 inch thick.

It’s an advanced unit with a very fair price and power that is incomparable to within its price range for a portable option. It’s a safe buy and something you’re bound to be happy with.

Pros

  • Dual voltage
  • 60% duty cycle

Cons

  • Hard plastic line to connect air regulator
  • Iffy customer support

Hypertherm Powermax 45

This incredibly lightweight Plasma Cutter us one of the best cutters that you will likely see in a long time. The Hypertherm Powermax 45 weighs in at around 37 lbs making it a good choice for those who would need something that they could carry around – it’s highly portable. The straightforward design of this cutter means that it isn’t very difficult to understand the controls, making it a perfect machine for those who are a bit newer to these machines. The Hypertherm powermax features 3 different modes; Continuous pilot arc, Non-continuous pilot arc, gouging. Again, it’s a very simple thing to switch between each of these three modes because of their blatant markings.

Video credits to Miller Welders. It explains what gouging is in relation to plasma cutting.

In addition to the different switch modes on the machine, there is also an amperage control feature that you can adjust based on the thickness of the material that you would like to cut. This Plasma Cutter is built for performance and has a relatively simple design. This makes it the perfect machine for those who would like to get a bang for their buck.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Simple Controls

Cons

  • N/A
Miller Spectrum 375

The Miller Spectrum is great for those who are seeking to cut midrange (3/8 inch) steel. It has the capacity for 30 amps and can cut through a variety of different types of steel.  The spectrum features a multi-voltage plug that allows it to easily switch between 120 and 240V. The cut rating associated with this machine is about 3/8 inch at 18 IPM meaning that you will always have a smooth cut at 18 inches per minute. This makes the Miller spectrum ideal for use during fabrication, HVAC and maintenance applications.

The Miller Spectrum also features Auto-Line technology that allows it to easily adapt to a wide range of different voltages. Lastly, the ergonomic handle featured with this torch reduces the chances of you dropping the torch while also enhancing the overall feel of it during its use.

Pros

  • Portable design
  • Built to last
  • Versatile

Cons

  • Relatively expensive
  • Challenge to master
  • Doesn’t come with an air source
Lotos LTP5000D

The Lotos LTP5000D features a Pilot-Arc function that makes it a go to machine for those who are going to work with rusted deformed material. The Miller Spectrum 375 features an inverter power source that allows it to provide an incredibly high level of output while also maintaining a lightweight design. This machine is best for those who need something that maintains a lightweight design while maintaining a high level of functionality. Another feature that works incredibly well for most individuals is it’s inherently compact torch design.

Also, the Lotos LTP5000D is rated to cut up to 3/4” material which and can even give a decent cut for materials with a 5/8” thickness.

Pros

  • Inexpensive
  • 110V or 220V amp
  • HAs inverter technology included

Cons

  • Short ground cable
  • Flimsy torch trigger

How do Plasma Cutters work?

Plasma Cutters send electric arc through a gas that passes through constricted openings. The type of gas used for plasma cutting varies with the type of metal you’re trying to cut but typically you’ll find the following gas mixes being used:

  • Air / Air
  • O2 / Air
  • Nitrogen / Air
  • Nitrogen / H2O
  • Argon Hydrogen / N2

The temperature of the gas then begins to turn into the 4th state of matter (aka plasma). As the metal that’s being cut is part of the circuit the electrical conductivity of the plasma causes the arc to transfer to the pieces being worked on.

The nozzle through which the gas passes through causes it to squeeze by at high speeds like air that passes through a venturi in a carburetor. The high speed of the gas allows it to cut through the molten metal and the gas is directed around the opening of the cutting area and shield the cut.

Video credits to WeldingProjects. It actually goes over how a plasma cutter works.

What specifications and qualities should I look for in a plasma cutter?

Below are a few questions one should ask themselves before they get a plasma cutter.

Does an inverter exist for plasma cutter?
What are the plasma cutters power specifications?
What is the plasma cutter amperage?
How many volts is the plasma cutter compatible with?
What metal thickness can the plasma cutter cut?
How quick can it cut through certain grades of metal? 
What kind of control capabilities does the plasma cutter come with?
What are the plasma cutters duty cycle specs? 
What materials are the plasma cutter made of? Will the materials require replacement over time?
How is the cut quality of the plasma cutter?
Does the plasma cutter come with an air compressor or do you need to purchase it separately?
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