The Best Plasma Cutter for CNC Tables

We asked our team of highly qualified and successful professional welders to test a dozen different CNC plasma cutters for hobbyists, DIYers, and small business owners. After ten days of in-depth testing with all types of metal at various thicknesses, here are four plasma cutters that we found to be worth your consideration.

Plasma Cutter	Voltage	Amps	Duty cycle	Pilot Arc
Everlast 2020 PowerPlasma	220V	80A	60% high duty	Yes
Primeweld CUT60 Plasma Cutter with CNC interface port	110V/220V Dual voltage	60 A	60% at 60A	Yes
MicroCut875SC	220V	55A	100% at 45A	–
Lotos Plasma Cutter	110V/220V Dual voltage	55A	60% at 50A	Non-touch pilot arc

Our Choices

Best for All Kinds of Metal CNC Plasma Cutter

1. Everlast 2020 PowerPlasma 

This is a powerful, well-constructed plasma cutter with CNC interface that can cut all kinds of metal without difficulty. Cuts are clean and smooth, and this machine features a convenient pilot arc so cutting painted or rusted metal will not be a problem.

The torch is straightforward to use, and the consumables are very affordable. It also comes with the CNC port plug.

It features a Blowback IPT-80plasma torch, IGBT inverter technology, and a pressure gauge mounted on the front of the machine. Post flow is adjustable as is the front air pressure. The unit has light indicators for air pressure and over current.

Pros

• • • • Pilot arc for an easy start
      • Cuts all types of metal
      • Cuts both rusted and metals that have been previously painted 
      • Pressure adjustment is a cinch

Check Price and Reviews on Amazon

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Best CNC Plasma Cutter for Under $1000

2. Primeweld CUT60 Plasma Cutter with CNC interface port

This is an impressive Plasma cutting machine that our team of experts tested with limited budgets in mind. It offers 60 amps and comes complete with a CNC interface port.

It’s rated for cutting for 4%-inch. The quality of the cut is notable, particularly considering the cost of the machine.

The CNC port can be found on the back of the machine and comes with a matching plug included in the package to facilitate wiring.

The manufacturer offers a three-year warranty including free shipping to and from for repairs, together with phenomenal customer service and technical support. This is a terrific option for the price.

Pros

• • • • 60% duty cycle at 60 amps
      • Pilot Arc permits cutting rusted, painted or expanded materials
      • 3-year warranty
      • Dual voltage 110V/220V
      • 20-foot PT60 Torch included

Cons

• • • • Some plastic parts may not be durable
      • Operation manual could use some improvement

Check Price and Reviews on Amazon

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Best Hobby CNC Plasma Cutter

3. MicroCut875SC

At 40 A for cutting, this cutter is perfect for most home workshops or garages and works perfectly with home power limitations. It has a duty cycle of 100% at this current of 40A.

This cutter comes with a mechanized torch with a 20-foot lead. It is easy to attach a straight torch to your CNC table and affords a strong connection between torch and table.

The 20′ lead allows quite a bit of slack for most tables. It has a built-in interface port that connects to the trigger circuit, arc voltage, and arc ok signal. 

Considering the features, it is priced less than other comparable plasma cutters. It comes with a two-year warranty and 90-day money-back guarantee.

Pros

• • • • Built-in port connections
      • 20′ lead
      • 100% duty cycle at 40A

Cons

• • • • Does not include torch consumables, or the 14-pin mating connector
      • Often sold out due to its popularity

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Best For Light Projects

4. Lotos Plasma Cutter

For home projects or small business or garage projects, this Lotos Plasma Cutter is the real deal.  It uses an impressive non-touch Pilot arc technology that permits you to cut without touching the tip to the material.

This gives a better quality of cut and a longer life for consumables. It can cut through painted, rusty and rough surfaces. It also produces very little slag.

The CNC interface is pre-installed. Blowback technology offers a high frequency for your start.

Pros

• • • • IGBT Inverter technology
      • Digital control
      • THC torch height control
      • Dual voltage and Dual frequency
      • Rapid easy set up

Cons

• • • • Consumables can be expensive

Check Price and Reviews on Amazon

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“CNC Table Meaning”

A CNC table signifies a “computer numerical control” table. This is for the control of machining tools such as plasma cutters, lathes, drills, 3D printers, and mills by a computer.

If you already possess a CNC table, a plasma cutter can really improve your shop work offering you both convenience and precision for numerous projects.

If we’re going to select a Plasma Cutter, the first thing to know is what exactly is Plasma Cutting? This is an often-used procedure in many industrial situations for cutting a variety of metals such as aluminum, iron, stainless steel, among others with a plasma torch.

Plasma cutters basically function by sending an electric arc through a gas flowing through a very limited opening. The gases commonly used, are not limited to, but include:

• • • argon
    • nitrogen
    • oxygen
    • shop air

This procedure will elevate the gas’s temperature until it enters the fourth state of matter. We normally think of three standard states for matter that are gas, liquid, and solid, but science refers to plasma as the fourth. Matter will change from one state to another with the introduction of energy for example heat. 

The gas of choice will blow at a high speed through a nozzle and at the same time, the electrical arc will melt the metal. Compressed air will flow onto the molten element. This method of cutting is used regularly in many industries including:

• • • automotive
    • engineering machinery
    • steel construction
    • locomotive
    • appliances for chemicals
    • naval
    • machinery
    • nuclear, etc.

Plasma Cutting Benefits

1.) Cost. By using a plasma cutter, you can get the most from your metal materials. Thanks to improved precision, you can limit your cutting in such a way so as not to waste any material.

You reduce waste and get the most for your money. If you use one in a small professional shop, you can also reduce the need for shop labor, saving your business money.

2.) Easy to Use. Thanks to technological progress, tools once limited to larger industries are now available to small businesses and private homes.

Smaller or home CNC plasma cutters and CNC tables are now available to anyone interested in this technology. Some equipment is designed so that a single person can manage the entire procedure.

3.) Precision. This is quite a significant benefit particularly if you will be cutting various metals into a multitude of shapes and sizes. Another advantage is the speed with which you can cut as opposed to cutting by hand.

In some cases, they can cut as much as 200 inches in a minute. You will get speed and precision with one instrument, again saving time and money with a superior outcome.

4.) Versatility. Just the fact alone, that these tools can be used on so many different materials, makes it worth the investment. You will also be able to cut different thicknesses depending on what your project requires.

Why Do I need a Plasma Cutter?

This is an important tool for welders who regularly need to cut metals, including thick and heavyweight materials. The plasma cutter is precise, efficient and versatile, and will save you both time and money while guaranteeing precision.

Nothing will get your cutting done with greater speed or precision than a plasma cutter, and the great thing about them is that they are automated.

Automation will afford an increased level of precision and accuracy when preparing and cutting metals necessary for welding in agricultural, construction, engineering, or industrial applications.

If you or your business is still cutting and preparing materials manually, this is an investment that you will want to consider. From a business point of view, you will save both time and money.

Can any Plasma Cutter Work on a CNC Table?

No, all plasma cutters cannot work specifically with just any CNC table. A plasma cutter must feature an interface port so that the CNC table will be able to interact with your plasma cutter tool.

If you have a plasma cutter that is not equipped with an interface port, it may not work correctly. It’s recommended to look for a plasma cutter with a great interface, and an easy set-up and installation.

What is a CNC Interface Port?

For your plasma cutter to function with your CNC table it must come with an interface port. It will generally be a circular-shaped connection on the front of the plasma cutter that is often operated together with a voltage divider.

Most plasma cutters will not automatically have an interface port, so specifically, look for this feature when selecting and purchasing.

How Powerful Should My Plasma Cutter Be for a CNC Table?

When deciding the number of amps your plasma cutter should have for use with your CNC table, a lot will depend on the type of material you generally cut and the average thickness of the material you need to cut for use. 

Your average cutting needs should be coordinated with the optimal cutting range of the plasma cutter. This will ensure cleaner cuts and more durability from the torch’s consumables. 

A plasma cutter that is slightly larger than the thickness you normally need to cut will afford you better, faster results, and will give you greater flexibility if you happen to have an unusual project.

Amperage	40A	60A	80A	100A	125A
Mild Steel Thickness Cutting Capacity	3/8”	½”	5/8”	¾”	1 inch
Minimum Electrical Current	220V Single Phase, Commercial 3-Phase	220V Single Phase, Commercial 3-Phase	220V Single Phase, Commercial 3-Phase	Commercial 3-Phase	Commercial 3-Phase

*Chart of efficiency in use created by Lincoln Electric

The Duty Cycle

A duty cycle will indicate how long a plasma cutter can run continuously or even intermittently during a period of ten minutes.

If the cutter has a duty cycle of 70%, it will run for seven minutes before requiring a rest period of at least three minutes. Should you attempt to cut for longer, the machine may shut off or attenuate the power.

If you select a plasma cutter that has higher amps than your normal cutting necessities, you will be able to achieve a higher duty cycle.

The Pilot Arc

This is a secondary arc that will form before the main arc ignites. Plasma cutters that have pilot arcs possess a positive connection inside the torch so that the pilot arc can be ignited when the torch is not near the material to be cut. This pilot arc can cut paint and rust which improves the main arc start.

Do I Need a Vertical Machine Torch?

Usually, CNC tables are prepared for use with a vertical machine torch. These are torches that can easily be fasted right onto the CNC table. It is used in substitution of the 90° standard hand torch that would be used on a conventional tool.

Many machines will have an easy rapid disconnect so that you are able to change between a machine torch and a standard torch without difficulty.

You won’t have to dismantle or take the machine apart. It is also recommended to see if the plasma cutter can be purchased with a machine torch directly installed.

A Final Thought

The value of your CNC table will be greatly influenced by the plasma cutter you use with it. If you’ve just purchased your CNC table, spending a lot of money on a plasma cutter as well, may seem a stretch for your budget.

However, better you should invest the first time around, and not have to buy a more expensive, powerful plasma cutter further down the road. Selecting a plasma cutter with a slightly more powerful amperage will afford you better performance and more durability in terms of consumables long term.

We highly recommend the Everlast 2020 PowerPlasma as a great plasma cutter with interface port for its quality/cost characteristics and because it will cut any type of metal.