Updated June 2019

if you’re in the market for a plasma cutter then chances are the PRIMEWELD 50A also known as the CUT50D is looking pretty appealing right now due its low price tag and great reviews. This machine has a lot of cutting power (1/2″ mild steel) and with both 110V and 220V compatibility you are getting a lot of machine for the money. However, there are a few aspects about this plasma cutter you should know before you determine whether or not it is right for you.

One of the most important factors that is going to determine the price of a plasma cutter is the quality of the components. The PRIMEWELD brand is made in China and is one of many variations of the “CUT50D” platform. This means that a variety of companies sell this machine, but each add their own components to the machine to make it unique. The PRIMEWELD version of this machine is one of the best versions we’ve seen so far and is the best to purchase if you decide to get the CUT50D platform.

As for components, these machines are designed for non-professionals and offer great value for weekend warriors who are looking to add a plasma cutter to their shop without spending a lot of money. What you have to understand about Chinese made plasma cutters is that they function great and provide a lot of performance for a low price, but they lack durability and lifespan. These machines will not hold up to a professional environment where owners will use them everyday for hours at a time. If you’re a professional or someone looking for a professional grade machine we encourage you to checkout our buyer’s guide of The Best Professional Plasma Cutters. If you are a weekend warrior and plan to use your plasma 3-4 times a month then a machine like the PRIMEWELD will last you many years and be a fantastic value. Professional machines in this class coming from companies like Hypertherm, Miller or Hobart will run you around $1500. Compare this to the PRIMEWELD which is only around $300 and you can see why this machine is so popular.

The PRIMEWELD comes with a 3 year manufactures warranty, which is noted on PRIMEWELD’s Amazon.com listing. A 3 year warranty is very long compared to other machines in this price range, which are usually only a year. Typically customer service with these machines is not the best because you are dealing with a smaller company who is largely focused on sales instead of customer support. If you want top notch customer service you have to purchase a professional grade machine. That being said if you do experience any problems with your PRIMEWELD chances are you will receive a replacement without any issues.

Purchasing from Amazon.com can be an extra layer of protection upon purchase and is highly recommended. If you order your machine and have any issues with it straight out of the box or within a couple of weeks you can notify Amazon and they will issue you a refund or a replacement machine instead of having to deal with PRIMEWELD directly. This is always a great thing to have just in case.

Consumables for PRIMEWELD machines are very cheap and easy to stock up on. With proper usage of your torch you can keep your machine up and running with new consumables for fairly cheap. On the flip side, the one thing to watch out for is the availability of consumables. There have been a variety of Chinese brand plasma cutters in the past that have gone out of business and the ability to buy consumables disappears. This is a risk that you have to take if you purchase this machine and you’re better off buying a large package of consumables upon purchase just in case they become unavailable. Larger companies like Hypertherm support the entire lifespan of their machines and will continue to provide consumables years from now for their customers. This another perk of spending the extra money on a professional machine from a larger manufacture.

If you have a small budget and are looking for a plasma cutter that you won’t use professionally the PRIMEWELD 50A plasma cutter is an amazing value. You’ll get a really powerful machine for a fraction of the cost. If you decide in the future that you want a professional grade machine you should be able to sell the PRIMEWELD and get most of your money back out of it. With a 3 year warranty and such a small investment you really can’t go wrong with this machine.

If you are interested in a professional grade machine check out our top picks below. These are going to be a lot more expensive, but if you use them to their full potential they are worth every penny. The most comparable units to the PRIMEWELD would be the Hypertherm Powermax 30 and the Miller Spectrum 375. Both of which are great machines, but I would recommend the Hypertherm Powermax 30 if I had to choose one. Both of these machines are dual voltage as well.