My cheap smoker build just broke $1500.00

[rio_grande]

Well as with all my projects,,,,, I have all the parts for my experimental reverse flow most if not all sourced for free,, so my balace was basicly $0.00 until today and it is all my wife's fault..........

After about 10 years of talking about how sweet a plasma cutter is to run and contemplating the cheaper units,,, I sprung for a Thermal Dynamics 52,,,,, on sale at Indiana oxygen for 1413.00 just a touch over 1500 with tax.

I hate spending $2.00 for a bottle of pop cause I think it is extroidnairly overpriced,,, and the plasma cutter is too but I still did it....

So so much for the cheap experimental build,,,, this one just got expensive...

 

[pops6927]

Oh, but the Joy of a new Toy to embrace!

 

[garyt]

I still get a kick out of people that spend $1.99 for a bottle of water at the gas station and bitch about the price of gas.

 

[dirt guy]

I'm right here with you on this one. The only time we fire up the plasma is to cut doors in tanks (for smokers). The rest of the time we fire up the oxy/acetelyne torch.

If I guy would put a pencil to his builds, including time and gas to gather up all the "free" stuff, machinery needed to make the build, and incidentals (like thermometers and hinges you end up buying or welding supplies) he'd be money ahead buying a really nice Lang or similar smoker.

BUT, where would the fun be in just "buying" one?

 

[pineywoods]

Congrats Jeff I know you'll get some use outta that

 

[rio_grande]

Actually the machine will get plenty of use in my business. I am one of those people that before I will spend 5.00 I must have 10.00 to replace it,,,, Just the way I am. Usually sick for a week when I have to take out a loan cause I basicly am the cheapest person most of you have ever met. if it can't make me money I really have no use for it... This unit wil make me plenty,, so I don't have any complaints....
I have used a gas axe for years in the field, but cuts are poor and only partially controlable. The plasma makes nice pretty cuts in material well over 1/2 inch.
So tomorrow I start paying for it!!

 

[dirt guy]

I'm glad you are able to incorporate it into use. I thought I would be in the same position, sadly I wasn't. Most of my cutting is done on metal-fatigued construction equipment that is covered with slobbery welds that don't lend themselves to plasma use.

 

[autoferret]

I'm right there with you. I have to be able to justify buying a new tool before i can buy one. Right now i'm contemplating and cold saw so i can get rid of my old cut off saw which makes crappy cuts. But i know that i would love a plasma cutter! Just can't justify it right now. So i'll be using a angle grinder for my cuts. Worked on all my other projects! Happy cutting brother!

 

[gene111]

Now i know who to call if i need something cut!