An ionized gas jet that slices through any conductive metal — faster and cleaner than a grinder or torch.
Plasma Cutting Buying Guide
Once you're doing fabrication instead of just welding, a plasma cutter earns its keep fast. It slices through any electrically conductive metal with a narrow, clean kerf — faster than a grinder, cleaner than an oxy-fuel torch, and capable of following curves and shapes neither can manage. Prep work, sheet metal, and repair jobs all go quicker once cutting stops being the bottleneck.
Curated Picks
Built-in air compressor means you can cut anywhere there's an outlet — no external air supply needed.
The industry's most popular cartridge-based plasma system — versatile enough for cutting, gouging, and marking.
Dual-voltage shop plasma cutter with solid cut capacity for the price.
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Common Questions
Most plasma cutters need clean, dry compressed air fed in externally. A few models build the compressor into the unit for true anywhere-use, at the cost of some duty cycle.
Entry to mid-range units (roughly 30–45A) comfortably cut up to about 1/2" mild steel, with a thinner "rated" capacity for faster, cleaner cuts.
For anything beyond a quick straight cut, yes — plasma is faster, leaves a cleaner edge, and can follow curves and shapes a grinder simply can't.
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No gas bottle, no wire feed — just an electrode holder and a rod. The most portable, most weather-tolerant process there is.
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