Is This Cheap Plasma Cutter Worth $200? Bestarc BTC500 on Amazon
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- Опубликовано: 20 июн 2024
- Bestarc reached out to me to see if I would test and review their plasma cutter. I really do not need one, but after seeing all the videos out there of people using angle grinders for everything I had to try it out.
The plasma cutter is a far safer and much better cutting alternative to a grinder with a cut-off wheel. For $200.00 on scAmazon, it is well worth the money.
Overall, It seems like a great little unit, and performs as advertised. I did read all of the reviews of the unit on scAmazon, and it does seem that there have been some bad units shipped out. The unit they sent me worked as expected. It will take much further testing to know what it is like long term, but rest assured we will put it to the test.
If you would like to purchase one of these Bestarc BTC500 Plasma Cutters, follow these link for more information.
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Connor should be given a "cameo" spot more often. Good to see the lighter side of machining / fabrication.
The most destructive force in the universe, a teenager! Good stuff
“The most destructive force in the universe - an Apprentice”. No truer words were ever spoken. I mentored over 20 apprentices (one at a time) from 1975 to 2021. They usually worked in my shop for about two years. The damage to customers items in the shop was phenomenal. I always paid for the damage myself - never made any apprentice pay and I always had in the end, a competent, skilled mechanic. I truly believe in the apprentice program.
So glad to see you carrying on the tradition, Josh.
I've been very fortunate with him. Very few screw ups. But he also wants to do everything correctly and is very cautious. Slow and meticulous is the name of the game when starting out. Speed comes with experience.
And of course, when you have an apprentice, you can no longer make mistakes yourself, because "it's the apprentice's fault".
I bought a Bridgeport that came out of the trade school of some sort. The bed looked like it lived in a war zone.
@@lokinya 🤣😂
Need more men like you sir I'm an electrician but same thing apprentice wise . Need more ways to get people excited to go into trades over the last 20 years I've seen a major decline in just basic abilities or a lot of apprenticeships leave a lot to be desired.
I loved the reference to the bbc version of top gear. That was great.
Good to see Connor - By god, he does exist!
Knowing very little of plasma machines, I’d say the company has a winner. Dude - two thumbs up!👍👍
Good review, like the spoof on “The Stig”.
Fun testing video guys. Connor reminded me of The Stig from days gone by.
Personally, I'll keep my 10+ year old Miller Spectrum 375 but this looks like a decent machine for the home shop guy on a budget. My advise would be to make sure consumables were available or best yet, purchase spares with the machine.
I'll stick with my Hypertherm also. Great home hobby machine or one you can use on a nasty job site and not worry about wrecking.
Generic Chinese consumables can be bought cheap on the Internet, but most likely not at the pro welding supply stores
Thank you Josh and Connor!
Connor reminds me of the unknown comic on the gong show. I'v aged my self a little by that reference. Thank you and Connor for all you do.
Wow, for $200, what a deal for a hobby fabricator. Dry air is a MUST. Some of the newer machines have a plug for the trigger so that you can use it on a CNC. Does it use drag tips or a stand off tip. I guess my other concern would be if the electrode and the tips are easy to get. How cool for the company to ask you to do a review on the machine. Thanks for the video. It is always good to see you. I am glad that your helper was there to give you a hand.
Standoff. Can't drag. Tips readily available on scAmazon
Conner is like the Stig in Top Gear 😆😆
Connor's dance at the end was AWESOME!!!
Love the dancing welder!
Definitely need more Connor. Love the moves 🤣🤣
Good job Conner!
Man thats a pretty sweet machine for the money. An industrial machine would have a $200 cabinet so you could never expect that for a start, with this. I got a slightly simpler one for $495 with the same capacity it appears. Digital readout is nice. Good work Connor. Yea I'll look for that when I'm replacing
That looks like a great machine for the price. Great review, thanks
A friend got one summer of 23 good little machine. The only problem we hade was a wire came unplugged in shipping
Nice review Josh and your assistant the Apprentice for the demonstration.
That is a good deal for a piece of equipment For the money spent.
Thanks for sharing.
Have a great day.
Does “bad” now mean “good”? I’m a little confused. Maybe too old to be in tune with modern lingo. I’ve seen the word “sick” used the same way? Help!
@@ellieprice363 I edited my post.
Sometimes auto correct in post.
It certainly is a good value.
Not a bad deal for the price.
Especially for someone starting out on a budget.
Sorry for the confusion.
I don't get the terminology of the day all of the time either.
Have a great day Ellie.
@@edsmachine93 Thanks for the clarification. Spell check interprets my words incorrectly often. I have to go back and reread before sending.
OK we get a double header bonus video, Plasma / Connor. Plasma cutter reviews cool ,and Connor let’s just say, you won the dance off😂. Happy for the both of you. CONNER UR GOING FAR IN LIFE DONT FORGET THAT 🎉🎉😅❤.
Well the teen test is great. Thanks fer the video
Way to go Connor!
He's such a good lad.
If you keep it around the shop, some periodic updates would be nice.
These low price machines certainly have their place. Not everyone needs or can afford a Hypertherm. Plasma cutters are much better than an angle grinder for cutting holes and curves 😂
Great video thanks for sharing
Nice to see the Apprentice!
The Apprentice is great!
i am soo stoked for Conner learning all this stuff, in fact I'm kinda jealous, hope one day he has his own channel!!
He sure is learning a lot. Whether it's the right way is another question. But he did win the state high school manual machining competition in December.
@@TopperMachineLLC Great job Connor!
excellent video sir,,, standing ovation to conner,, he,s da man!!
The apprentice was the best. You need to show him more. Good video. I might buy one. Keep up the good work.
I have projects he is working on.
Well Josh, I'm reasonably pleased with the components inside. It looks assembled decent. As using it, I'm sure this plasma unit will work well for a hobbyist. And I liked the screen display.
I'm sure it is fine, but I personally avoid anything with fine little circuitry for my purposes. They just don't hold up to the industrial use.
This plasma cutter uses inverter technology, like my 250 Amp arc welder, which is way lighter than my original old 100 Amp arc welder which I can barely lift. The old welder has a copper secondary winding, which is what makes it so heavy. I also have a newer 100 Amp arc welder with an aluminium secondary, which is way lighter than the old 100 Amp welder, but still a lot heavier than the 250 Amp inverter welder.
The technology in these things will be their downfall. Those old machines will keep going until you actually burn stuff off. I'll keep my old heavy machines because they were built to last.
Too funny, the dancing welder
Nice review.... and how 'bout Conner?? LOL! That was fun! Maybe the company will donate a machine to give to Conner since he did so well testing it! 😀
Bloody brilliant review. I especially appreciate you taking the cover off. I’ve been wanting a plasma cutter, but these kinds of things seem too good to be true. 1/2” steel capability for around $200 is excellent. Been trying to get a buddy to sell me his Miller but he’s having none of it - this will do just fine. Not sure about the dancing teen though. Is that a required accessory?
Lol. Yeah, he is a goofball. I was pleasantly surprised with what this cheap machine could do.
@@TopperMachineLLC I assume you get a small commission if we use the amazon link to buy one?
@@StuartsShed I have no idea. I was just told I get the machine. Probably not.
It's what you get with the later generation of apprentices. You'll find them either dancing with their earphones on, or looking at their smartphones between tasks assigned to them. The rare one will sense the things that need to be done and do those things without having to be asked, or in some cases, begged, but they are rare.
Very impressive, its ideal for the home or small semi pro shop. It will earn its keep in no time. Thanks for demo.
Excellent home hobbyist machine for sure. Semi pro, maybe, but I still go Hypertherm.
I love connors moves 😂😂🇬🇧👍
wow, very impressive for $200, thanks for the video:)
I was absolutely shocked that it worked so well.
Go, Connor!
It's unfortunate that one of the most important specifications you failed to include was the Air Supply volume and pressure demand. Too many DIY welders are lured into buying these plasma cutters only to find out their funky little air compressor is far from adequate. IOW, figure in the cost of a larger air compressor before you buy. Consumables are also worth discussing. Many aren't aware of that need. Thanks for the review.
I'm glad you showed your cart! New to plasma here.... I would like to see more and know more about your plasm reservoir and cart because I KNOW I'm going to struggle with getting dry air and am NOW planning to build a cart like yours to help conquer the moisture problems. I purchased the hypotherm 45 though! The Bestarc looks like a good machine for the $ involved!
Thanks for the video idea. I'll do one of the entire setup of the plasma cart. There are a ton of benefits to having the reservoir at the machine.
@@TopperMachineLLC Another vote to see that setup, it looks very cool.
Yeah you definitely want to make sure you're air supply is thoroughly dried out bc, moisture and a stream of plasma that's as hot as the surface of the sun is not a good mixture, take my word for it lol.
You don't want to make the same mistake I did and go cheap aka Harbor Freight on the desiccant/drier system bc it will not end well for these cheaper plasma cutters or importantly your hands.
Great video as always Josh thank you for uploading and it's nice to see Conner has stuck with it. 👍👍
Even a tiny bit of moisture with eat tips and electrodes. The drier the better. My setup definitely takes care of the moisture.
Go Connor!!!
I am running a cheap Chinese plasma cutter.
I think mine is a Flameweld.
No major complaints so far.
One annoying feature it shares with my cheap Chinese welder is it has a small power cord with a 110 Volt plug on it.
They both came with 110 to 220 adapters.
Obviously not up to code.
I bought the extended warrany on the plasma cutter.
When that is up I plan to put a heavier cord and a 220 Volt plug on it.
I need to do the same thing with the welder.
It has no warranty, I got it cheap from one of those guys who buys pallets of Amazon returns.
I am curious if the performance will improve after I put on heavier cords.
I had a set of computer speakers that just sounded OK with the wall wart.
After it broke I hooked them up to a lab 12 Volt supply I had laying around.
Oh my goodness, the difference was night and day.
Apparently the circuity was starved for amps.
Even if the performance doesn't improve, the risk of fire will reduce.
That's a good enough reason to make the change.
Great video. Connor should be in more videos.
Once he is 18, he will be in more.
Go Connor Go!
when testing machines like this or welders or torches etc. I like to write my name in the metal. It gives the boys a chuckle. Matt told me to write his name last time, so I spelled out Bitch. He laughed his ass off.
For a cheap machine that handled the tasks pretty well. Cheap enough to drag around and you don’t need big auxiliary power to run it
Cheap enough to not worry about dropping it off a roof or running over with a loader.
Looks like a pretty handy little plasma cutter there. Not sure if I really need one, but it would be handy to have. I mostly make things from light gauge steel, so I'd only need a plasma cutter for the odd job occasionally.
Still better than a grinder and cutoff wheel. Far safer too.
Once you get one you will wonder how you got by without one.
Josh,
This was actually a very good vid review....I just happen to be considering getting a plasma cutter myself. I actually have one built into my SIMDER 4050 PRO but have never been able to get it to work. 3 diff communications to the company abt the process NOT working only to get a run around...we need a video etc......well this comes at an opportune time and for just $200...it might be worth a try....Seems like you have a "Dancing Apprentice" not sure if he's been watching too much of Americas got Talent or what.....maybe he's just goofy naturally....you know the type behind the TV reporter that moons the camera...etc.....just in from my shop put away a cpl new tools that came in.....one in particular am anxious to try,,,,a Micro 100 LH 60 deg carbide threading bit......gonna try some internal threading from inside out on a project
Don
Glad you liked it. I was actually surprised that it worked so well. Conner is a goofball,as long as he doesn't moon the camera, it's all good. Internal threading is always fun. Especially to a shoulder.
Gonna start at a square internal shoulder, thread from inside out.....way better and safer to control than from out to in towards the head and pucker hoping you dont crash hard......@@TopperMachineLLC
Awesome
Obviously watching Top Gear. So Connor is the Stig. Well done to both of you.
Always liked top gear, but the Grand Tour is even better.
or 6061 welding
Thank you for keeping connors persona hidden, even in this video. He will thank you in 30 years.
Since he is only 17, I didn't want to show him. Once he turns 18 it will be up to him.
I have a small cnc plasma table I’m looking for cutter for, most I’ll do it 1/4 inch plate for motor brackets, think it would work fine in that application
For a few hundred bucks, it's worth a try. What do you really have to lose?
I have a small CNC and I had to splice in lead wires on the two trigger wires so that the CNC controls it.
You did the unboxing correctly without endless narration because no one cares about the box.
It was a nice box though. Lol
We tried a similar cheap plasma cutter a year or two ago. I ended up selling it to a customer who's plasma cutter broke, but in all honesty it was a surprisingly good tool for the price. I think we paid around $400 Canadian for it. Only reason I didn't buy another is I found I don't work with enough thin material to actually justify having a plasma cutter
I hardly do anything thin, so this machine is really too small for my needs. That is why I have the Hypertherm, it can easily cut 3/4" and even more if I need to.
@@TopperMachineLLC We've just been using oxy-propane here for our cutting needs. I've found someone good with a torch can do very nearly as good a job as a plasma on 3/4"+ material. If we did more fab work I'd definitely agree on a big plasma
@@geoffflato2094 I use oxy propane for a lot of cutting. My duplicator is set up for 4" plate. I did a bunch of 1/2" on it, but would definitely like the plaz on it for that job. Mostly the Hypertherm is for one ugly nasty repeat job. Cutting out old welds and hardface and cutting AR500
0:06 HERESY! What sort of black magic is this! He summoned that box!
I almost bought a plasma cutter, but it was a special buys limited sale and they sold out before I could buy one.
My concern with purchasing equipment that requires consumable parts and brands offered by a one retailer (Amazon, Harbor Freight, or any other) is where do you get replacement parts. Does Bestarc note where replacement consumable parts can be purchased? Are the consumable parts for the Bestarc compatible with those made by other major brands (HyperTherm, Lincoln, Miller, etc)?
Josh were you able to run that snow blower yet?
No, we haven't had any real snow. Infact, it's almost all gone. Nearly 40°this last week.
Don't you think using the standoff and some sort of ruler would have given better results?
Conner is the Stig (Top Gear) of the welding department.
Looks nice, but I just have an old air compressor that work fine for what I need, but I guess not for this cutter.
I just need to cut 2 doors 8 cuts on my BBQ smoker. I was going to use a sawzall but at 200 $ I guess I'll buy this
I have had good luck with mine. Surprisingly good cuts.
Okay - The "Stig" made me spit coffee
Lol.
I bet connor is fun to work with, he makes me giggle!
He has his moments. Lol
ahaaaa conor sneaking in a dance there was very choice
Well is Josh Topper likes it, I might have to think about getting one. -----Doozer
It surprised me on capacity. I have no idea about longevity with it's flimsy electronics, but that is everything now days.
@@TopperMachineLLC Thanks, seriously. I have seen a few reviews and it looks good. As you know me, I am super skeptical of a $200 welder or plasma or anything like that. But I don't have one, and it would save my acetylene when cutting. Last time I got my acetylene bottle filled, it was like $130. I forget what oxygen costs, but it is about half as much. That is almost the cost of this Amazon plasma cutter. If it works for 1acetylene bottle and 1 oxygen bottle worth of cutting, it pays for itself. And not to mention it is handy to turn it on and pull the trigger. No messing with bottles and regulators and lighting the torch. I know it is also very small. (But my shop is so packed, I have no place to put it LOL). Thanks again Josh. I know I can trust your review because we have talked, and I know you are straight up. ---Doozer
@@kooldoozer if I were you, I'd also consider switching to propane. I made the switch 12 years ago and never looked back. I fill my own tanks off my bulk tank now and save a small fortune. Save 2 hours of drive time to get acetylene, no aggravation of dealing with my old gas supplier. The only thing I miss about acetylene is the ease of smoking a shaft for babbiting.
@@TopperMachineLLC I got my plasma cutter after some POS cut my fence and broke in to my garage to steal my tanks.
Not sure what they will do with them, they are out of date and none of the suppliers around will fill them.
They were my father in law's and I got them after he passed.
Before they disappeared I would have figured they were too heavy to steal.
Now I know nothing is too heavy to steal.
Pisses me off that someone who knows how to use a torch would steal tanks from another guy that knows how to use a torch.
I can't see anyone else going to all that trouble.
as 58y old German: nice dance moves...
makes me smile
Internally it doesn’t look all that different than my Miller machine which has been used and abused for over ten years now. I wish I had a hypertherm but they weren’t the machine they are today when I bought mine. Life span and availability of the consumables is a big factor but for the difference in price between this and a name brand unit you can buy a lot of tips and nozzles
👍👍
I am going to get 1 as I just need a cheap machine for mobile work. If something happens to it I'm not out much
I thought the same thing. It's cheap and if you trash it, you're not out much. A lot better than ruining an expensive machine.
Tell me the truth; Connor was grinning doing his antics.
What is the air/cut switch for? Why would you want just air?
No idea. I do use strait air to blow off dust and such after cutting, but no idea.
Thanks for the reply & yeah that was all I could figure....@@TopperMachineLLC
For $200 I'll buy a 6" Makita and know it will last me the rest of my life with a few changes of the brushes. There's nothing unsafe about an angle grinder if you use properly. As a steamfitter/pipefitter I have a grinder in my hand likely 4-5 hours out of a 12 hour shift.
This was meant more for the hobby guys who abuse their grinders and cutoff wheel. Not the seasoned veteran like us. I even said in the video, I have a $5k unit I use and this is a hobby machine.
I think there's a Deadmau5 in your shop.
Amazon shows 35lbs, can that be right, cause thats heavy?
Just one question: how much CFM's is required to operate this machine???
I would have to look, I thought it was quite low. Something like 10cfm.
On 90 PSI ???. Please check the specs.
@@neltonangeles2178 the specs are listed on the Amazon link in the video description. It only requires 60 psi max.
My only issue with these cheap plasma cutters is what is the availability of consumables going to be
I agree, and I've been surprised that these are available. And quite inexpensive compared to my Hypertherm consumables
If you have the budget buy a hypertherm (used even), they are literally a cut above the rest. Yes these are cheap if to fit a small budget but you get what you pay for. My prof. daily driver 45XP, at home old 1000 series with retrofit torch to the same consumables as the 45. I tried cheap at home but I couldn't stand it.....
I agree 100% with you on this. This is a hobby grade machine, or a nasty field work machine. Definitely not a professional unit by any means. But for the price of a good angle grinder, maybe people will stop making so much crap with cut off wheels.
Yep, this can do things no angle grinder will. It's a budget thing. I was always of the opinion that you buy the best tools you can afford so if you have a choice to either wait and save up for it or buy used rather than new it may increase your options. @@TopperMachineLLC
My only issue with the machine is how available are consumables? Where do you get them, How much do they cost? Machine is worthless without tungstens and tips. It is impressive for just 200 bucks however. Vevor and other sources are popping up more and more. Guys can now get a shot at plasma cheaply. Harbor Freight welders are even getting good reviews. Topper did a good quick review of this machine. Now he can give it away to a sub or friend. Machine did a nice cut on 1/4 inch at 120v. The 3/8 cut at 220v would have been better with a simple guide to help. Then the kid could concentrate on the cut quality easier.
Tips are readily available on scAmazon and very inexpensive compared to my Hypertherm. This will be a field machine for a while to see how it holds up.
Thanks for the reply Top. I have a way old Thermal Dynamics machine and havent tried any import tungstens and tips. In fact I have so many ways to cut metal other than plasma. Producing a video is a chore for you and I appreciate your diversity.@@TopperMachineLLC
@@martinnorbeck4657 I had a thermal dynamics and upgraded to my Hypertherm. It doesn't see much use, but it has its purpose.
Looks like Connor likes being on screen. lol
Does the teenager in question have hollow legs and polish off pizzas in a single sitting? If so that is definitely a force of nature 😊
Lol. Probably. Thankfully I don't have to live with or feed him. Although I have my own at home that does that and more.
Perhaps machining channels on youtube should always have a background dancer.
Lol. I wish I could get some girls in bikinis.
Since it relies on your panel breaker to handle extended usage, it’s a dangerously defective design.
I wonder if I have a faulty breaker or if it's the machine. I will probably change it so I know for sure.
@@TopperMachineLLC Possible, maybe I was too quick to judge. You could try a different circuit, too. A full-size space heater draws 12.5A and you could see if that trips it. On the off chance it's a GFCI/AFCI breaker, (doesn't seem likely in a shop), the older ones are notorious for tripping on loads like welders and cutters. They're code on-grade, but nobody's going to bat an eye if you use a regular breaker in a shop in the country.
Hire a teenager while they still know everything.
$226
It was $200 when I filmed this. Price went up.
There is currently a $60 off coupon as well though through Amazon - so ends up at $166 plus tax, and free shipping. I couldn't pass it up at that. I have some 1/4" steel I want to dice up for a project that I've been putting off because hacksawing it or angle grinding it was too much of a PITA.
never buy this type of machine , the tips cost a fortune thats how they get you most the time and when these no namers go out of business andyou need tips your done for
Tips and electrodes are available and inexpensive. I'll still stick with my Hypertherm
Sever vs cut? If my arm is severed or cut I feel they are the same..
i just nwatched this off f dd ddcd delsym