Forney 251 Easy Weld 20 P Plasma Cutter - Portable and Versatile Cutting Tool for Precise Metal Cutting

So there was something out of adjustment with this plasma cutter when I got it. So I call customer service at Forney, fully expecting the verbal equivalent of a shrug and a “Sir, you will have to contact Amazon regarding this; there is really nothing I can do...”I could not have been more wrong. First, I got a heartfelt apology from the fellow who answered the phone and an “I will transfer you to our tech group immediately so you can speak with one of our engineers.” (Ummmm...okay...)I then got transferred to an extremely friendly and knowledgeable engineer, who had already been briefed on exactly what my problem was by the previous customer service guy. She apologized on behalf of the company, and made it clear that Forney would gladly replace the machine. Then, because she knew that wouldn’t actually solve my problem (needing a plasma cutter and bad) she offered to walk me through opening up the machine and fixing what was wrong. Ten minutes later, the machine is working great, I am back to work, and the original warrantee is still in effect.So I send a quick email thanking her for her help. And the President and CEO of Forney sends me an email back.I guess I have just gotten so used to dead-end phone-trees and big box uselessness that I never expected to find a company that actually cares about the needs of its customers and supports their products in a meaningful way. I’m sold. If I need something and Forney makes one, I’m getting it from them.(Oh yeah, and the plasma cutter is great too:. It cuts 1/8 steel like a boxcutter cutting cardboard. I haven’t taken it to the limits yet, but the way it rips through 1/8 tells me that it will be just fine for 1/4. Also, having now been inside the machine, I can say that it appears to be a high-quality build in all respects. Gun is comfortable and doesn’t feel flimsy, there’s an innovative swivel at base of the gun to prevent line chafing there, the ground clamp is solid, lines are generously long (with a cord-wrap carry handle) and it carries around the shop nicely. The only negative thing I can find to say about it (and I had to think about it for a while) is that it would be nice if there were a spot to keep consumables on board.For the money, I really can’t imagine a better rig. And I would put it in the same class as machines I have used that cost 2 or 3 times as much.

Bought this when it was on sale on Amazon for like $400 and I was worried I was gonna get what I paid for but not the case! Amazing machine

I've cut about 200' of 12 and 14 GA mild steel with this so far. The user's manual doesn't give much info on settings. It has performed well so far but I can't speak to longevity. I like the trigger guard; it keeps accidental arc from happening. I started out pretty slow with moving the torch but had a lot of slag and a sloppy kerf. Checked the manual and it said you're going too slow. Sped up and it minimized slag but there is still some grinding required to get a clean piece of steel but the time required from using an angle grinder with cutoff wheel has been drastically reduced, which was my purpose to buy this.

This is the first plasma cutter I've used. Previously, I used a grinder or a chop saw to cut metal.This plasma cutter burns right through 1/8" or thinner material with no problem. It makes a clean, perfect line.It cuts 3/16" material too, but leaves a more ragged cut compared to a carbide blade, of course. It seems well made and we'll see how it holds up over time.UPDATE: I've been using the cutter a lot over the past couple of months. It works fine for sheet metal, but that's really the only practical use. You ~can~ cut 3/16" steel, but it's more trouble than it's worth.If I were doing more projects in thicker metal with curved cuts, I'd probably go directly to a more capable and more expensive plasma cutter.

The Forney plasma cutter is very easy to use. It takes a bit of practice to get a clean cut, but once your technique is dialed in it does a great job.The contact tip is a great feature, especially for a novice. Cutting is a lot easier when you can just clamp on a guide and run the cutting head against the guide rather then working with the head above the cutting surface.Not the most powerful machine but good enough for light shop work, or a hobbyist, provided you show it the proper respect while using it.I chose the Forney over other (less expensive) plasma cutters because I have a Forney welder, trust their quality, and know the company is responsive to customers who need support.

I have had nothing but issues with this machine. I end up turning back to using the cutoff wheel. Waste of time and money. Forney will not resolve or help in any way.

Very good cutter at this price point. It does cut through 1/4” mild steel without any problems. Seems like a great product for a small shop and the weekend warrior. All components feel like high quality very satisfied with this product/price.

I use it about once a month mainly cutting 1/8" or less. It lasted 3 years. Tech tried to save it but it needed the main board and that was half the price of the machine.