If you are an artist or someone who simply enjoys working with metal there are a ton of really cool tools out there that can help you make creative projects with metal. Many people refer to these creations as “Metal art” and there are an endless possibilities to what you can make. People will often times create cool cut outs of their favorite sports team logo, their favorite animal, cool landscapes, and many other cool ideas. If you wish to create anything like this you’re going to need a plasma cutter as it is the best tool out there for creating precise cuts in metal quickly. With the right machine you can cut out a piece of metal the same as if you were taking a pencil to paper.
Our Favorite Plasma Cutters For Metal Art
Hypertherm
Powermax 30
The Hypertherm Powermax 30 is our number one pick for creating metal art. It is a professional machine that is made by one of the most respected plasma cutter brands on the market and it comes straight out of the box with everything you need to get started. The Powermax 30 includes both regular and fine tip consumables allowing the user to make very precise cuts on low power settings. It also comes with a dual voltage feature to allow the user to run it on 110V or 220V plugs. You won’t find a better machine then this straight out of the box.
Includes fine tip consumables, which allows you to make very precise cuts.
5/8″ inch cutting ability on 220V and 1/2″ cutting ability at 120V.
Comes with glasses, gloves, and cord adapters.
3 year warranty on the power supply and a 1 year warranty on the torch.
Made in New Hampshire, USA.
Miller
Spectrum 375
The Miller Spectrum 375 is another great machine that preforms almost identically to the Powermax 30. It is produced by Miller, which is one of the most popular brands around all metal fabrication work. With this machine you can expect very precise cuts, longevity, durability, great customer service, and a wide range of parts availability. Miller products tend to be expensive and are often times purchased by professionals for this reason. They are worth every penny and damn near identical in performance to the Hypetherm Powermax 30 machines.
Made by one of best machine manufactures.
Both 220V and 120V. Comes with cord adapter for both to fit a variety of plug patterns.
Great parts availability from Miller as well as after market brands.
Rated to cut only 3/8 inch steel.
Does not come with glasses and gloves.
LOTOS
LTP5000D
If you’re a hobbyist looking for a machine, but don’t want to break the bank then you should get a LOTOS LTP5000D. This a machine that is made in China, but still has a lot of the great features you will find in a more expensive American made machine (Pilot arc/dual voltage). This machine will provide smooth cuts on thin sheet metal which is typically what is used for plasma cutter art and will do it with ease. If you not a professional, but still want to get started then this machine is a great investment.
Lowest Price
Rated to cut 1/2 inch steel.
Many positive reviews despite lower build quality.
Not as rugged as Hypertherm or Miller machines.
LOTOS is a rather small company. Parts availability could disappear rather quickly.
PrimeWeld
50 Amp Plasma Cutter
If you’re looking for the bare bones absolute cheapest way of getting started then you can find a lot of value in a Primeweld machine. They are a cheaper manufacture that specializes in making machines for very cheap (think along the lines of Harbor Freight Tools). This machine will not have pilot arc, but will come with the ability to run dual voltage and have plenty of power to cut steel up to 3/8 inch (which is plenty for plasma cutter art). Sure this is not a name brand machine, but it can get you started for a very low investment.
Very capable plasma cutter for a very low price.
Consumables for the torch are very cheap.
Has more then enough power to tackle damn near any project. This means you can use it on other projects as well.
No Pilot-Arc functionality. Not ideal, but you can still get by without it.
Made in China.
How do you make wall art with your plasma cutter?
Check out this video where I explain exactly how I make my wall art and the steps I use to get the best results. I also show a few pieces I have created recently. Learn from my mistakes so you can get it right the first time.
What features make a plasma cutter good for plasma art?
When looking for a plasma cutter for wall art there are a few things that make some machines better then others. They are as follows..
Pilot Arc
This is great feature to have. It allows the arc of the machine to start without contacting the metal directly. This is very useful because it allows you to position your torch and begin your cut without having the tip touching the metal. This also helps you see exactly where you are cutting and makes it easier to follow your lines. Also if there are a few spots that need trimming (meaning you miss your line slightly) you can easily trim lines without the machine cutting out.
Fine Cut Consumables
These are the consumable that attach to the end of your cutting torch. Certain machines like the Hypertherm Powermax 30 (Amazon.com) have consumables made specifically for use on low amp settings and it will help you make more precise cuts. Think of it like drawing with a dull pencil versus a sharp pencil.
Lighter Torch Cord
Smaller machines tend to have smaller torch cords. I find that they are a lot easier to work with and put less strain on your body after extended use. If given the option to work on a 60 amp machine or a 30 amp machine I would choose the 30 amp machine due to its smaller diameter torch line. Less weight = less fatigue.
Looking for inspiration? Take a look at our plasma cutter art collection.