Plasma Cutters For Sale

A plasma cutter is a machine that uses a high-speed jet of ionised gas to cut through conductive metals such as steel, stainless steel, and aluminium.

It works by creating an electrical arc that turns gas into plasma, which melts the metal while a high-speed jet removes the molten material.

For a complete round-up, read our comprehensive guide to plasma cutters.

Plasma cutting works by sending an electrical arc through a gas, turning it into plasma, which melts the metal while a high-speed gas jet blows the molten material away.

This process creates fast, clean cuts and is widely used in fabrication, repair, and industrial cutting applications.

Plasma cutters can cut any electrically conductive metal, including mild steel, stainless steel, aluminium, copper, and brass.

They are suitable for a wide range of applications, from thin sheet metal to thicker plate, depending on the machine’s power.

Most plasma cutters use compressed air, although some industrial plasma cutting systems use gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, argon-hydrogen, or specialised gas mixtures depending on the material and cutting quality required.

The correct gas setup can affect cut speed, edge quality, consumable life, and overall cutting performance. Different gases are better suited to materials such as mild steel, stainless steel, or aluminium.

For a more detailed breakdown of plasma cutting gases and their applications, read our guide to plasma cutting gases.

Plasma cutters are used for fast, precise cutting of metal in fabrication, manufacturing, automotive repair, and general metalworking.

They are ideal for cutting sheet metal, structural steel, pipework, and components where speed and accuracy are important.

The cutting thickness of a plasma cutter depends on its power, with smaller units typically cutting up to 10–12mm, and industrial systems capable of cutting 50mm or more.

Higher amperage machines offer greater cutting capacity and faster cut speeds, particularly on thicker materials. When choosing a plasma cutter, select a machine that comfortably handles your typical material thickness rather than operating at maximum capacity.

The amperage required depends on the thickness of the material you need to cut, with lower amp machines like the Hypertherm Powermax 45 suited to thin metals, and higher amp systems like the HPR 260 required for thicker plates.

As a guide:

• 30–50 amps → light fabrication and thin sheet metal
• 60–100 amps → general workshop use
• 100+ amps → heavy-duty industrial cutting

Choosing the correct amperage ensures cleaner cuts, better performance, and longer machine lifespan.

A CNC plasma cutter is a computer-controlled cutting system that uses a plasma torch to cut metal with high precision and repeatability.

These machines are typically used in fabrication workshops and production environments where consistent, automated cutting is required.

A CNC plasma table is a complete cutting system that combines a plasma cutter with a computer-controlled table for automated sheet metal cutting.

They facilitate accurate and repeatable cutting of complex shapes, commonly used in industrial and production settings.

Browse our current CNC plasma tables in stock.

Manual plasma cutting is controlled by the operator, while CNC plasma cutting uses computer-controlled systems for precise, automated cutting.

Hand systems are ideal for on-site or flexible work, whereas CNC plasma cutting machines are better suited for repetitive, high-precision cutting in workshop or production environments.

To choose the right plasma cutter, consider the material type, thickness, power requirements, and whether you need manual or CNC cutting.

Key factors include:

• Material thickness – determines required amperage
• Duty cycle – important for longer cutting sessions
• Portability vs fixed setup – workshop vs site use
• Automation – CNC systems for repeatable production work

Selecting the right machine ensures efficient cutting, better cut quality, and long-term reliability.

Plasma cutters can range from around £1,000 for smaller workshop units to £20,000 + for industrial CNC plasma cutting systems.

Pricing depends on:

• Machine power and cutting capacity
• Manual vs CNC configuration
• Brand and specification level

Used and refurbished plasma cutters offer a cost-effective alternative, providing reliable performance at a lower upfront investment.

A CNC plasma cutter works by a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) unit controlling the cutting operations. The plasma cutting table operator either inputs the parameters on the CNC unit for the current job, or chooses from a pre-stored programme, and the control unit feeds this information to the carriageway and plasma torch. It is a highly efficient process, as not only does the CNC unit store multiple programmes and jobs, but they also monitor performance and maintenance, reducing downtime and maximising productivity for plasma cutting processes.

Plasma cutting is faster and more cost-effective for thicker metals, while laser cutting offers higher precision and is better suited to thinner materials and fine detail work.

Plasma systems are typically used for heavy fabrication and industrial cutting, whereas laser cutting is preferred for intricate designs and high-precision applications.