10 best metal cutters

If the craftsman has to work in an environment where only one hand is available, a conventional torch torch will not work, as it requires the use of two hands, in particular for unscrewing the purge valve. There will be no such problems with this tool, since its blowing is organized in the form of a lever located on the handle. It is very convenient and practical, besides, the pressing force directly affects the intensity of the oxygen start.

The advantages of the manufacturer include a fully lute construction, without plastic or textolite inserts. In the description, special emphasis is placed on this, since brass is stronger and more durable than plastic. It just had to sacrifice the weight of the structure, and here it is more than 900 grams, which, with a length of 400 millimeters, is quite a lot.Especially the weight will affect those who use this cutter for its intended purpose, that is, work with it with one hand. It will definitely be difficult to hold such an instrument for several hours.

Metal cutting does not always occur in a position convenient for the master. Often you have to climb into very difficult places, and you can’t do without such a tool. The main feature here is the elongated design. The length of the entire cutter is 520 millimeters and the weight is 900 grams. Not the lightest product, and the question arises about the location of the valves. More precisely, to one valve responsible for the supply of combustible gas. It is located at the beginning of the cutter, and it is difficult to say how convenient this placement is.

But the main advantage is versatility. Despite the presence of an oxygen purge used on propane and plasma torches, this tool can also work with gasoline and acetylene. To change the working gas, it is enough to replace the nozzle, each of which is equipped with a special protective mesh that prevents back impact. And with such versatility, price is added to the benefits. Not the best even in our rating, but quite acceptable even for a Russian brand.

There are several types of plasma cutter, and it is not necessary to use a plasma torch to create a powerful jet. Also, a plasma cutter can run on gasoline, or rather on its vapors, and we have such a tool in front of us, designed for cutting ferrous metals up to 200 millimeters thick.

Not the best indicator, and the width of the cut leaves much to be desired.The nozzle is quite thick, which is normal for gasoline models, and the valve covers are made of plastic. This fact can be called a disadvantage, especially considering the cost of the tool. The device is quite expensive and is not used so often in modern industry. As for the competitive advantages of this model, then we can distinguish a fully collapsible design. That is, not only nozzles are unscrewed here, but the entire system is disassembled and, if necessary, any module can be changed, which, given the not the best price tag, is a very relevant aspect.

The difficulty that the master faces when cutting metal is the severity of the tool. A torch or cutting torch often reaches a kilogram in weight, and it becomes very difficult to interact with them. It is on this factor that this manufacturer focuses, indicating in the description the extremely light weight of the product - only 700 grams. At the same time, the length is almost half a meter, that is, it is a full-fledged cutter with standard parameters, and not its reduced version.

Nozzles with kickback protection deserve special attention, which makes the design the safest. And the handle made of thermal plastic allows you not to worry about safety during operation and not be afraid of accidental contact with a heated surface. It is also necessary to mention the attractive cost. Yes, the price is not the best on the market and in our rating, but quite acceptable for devices of this class. Recall that this is a professional model, designed for the highest loads.

The main problem of all gas cutters is the valve design. It is the valves that fail first and most often, and in this model the manufacturer paid special attention to this module. First, the design of the system. It is difficult to say what innovations have been made here, but the manufacturer himself indicates that he has completely redesigned the mechanism, making it more reliable and durable. Secondly, the material from which the handles are made. This is a textolite, characterized by strength and resistance to high temperatures. Even if you accidentally touch a hot part, the handles will not melt.

The tool comes with additional nozzles of various diameters, each of which is equipped with a kickback protection. And in addition - an ergonomic handle. It is also made of durable material resembling textolite. Does not slip in the hands, does not turn, as often happens when using rigid hoses, and does not melt on accidental contact with heated metal. This is the best choice, although it is relatively expensive.

Not every cutter is able to develop temperatures over 1500 degrees.A plasma tool can easily cope with such a task, but there are also hand-held models for which such a height is not only subject to, but is not the limit. In this model, the maximum is 2500 degrees, and this is the best result that we could find.

Given this level of heating, the manufacturer took care of the safety of the master, and made the handle long, and removed the nozzle as far as possible from the cylinder. By the way, if necessary, this cutter can also be connected to ordinary household cylinders, using an adapter that is already included in the kit. There is also a collet connection, but given the fuel consumption of 300 milliliters per hour, the use of portable containers can be considered irrational, and even expensive. Such a cutter will easily warm up and melt a metal part up to 15 millimeters thick, and the tasks of heating or incandescent parts are not at all difficult for it.

According to the dimensions, gas cutters can be divided into three categories. This model belongs to the smallest devices designed for the smallest jobs. It is not connected to cylinders, but is self-refueling, in this case propane. By increasing the power to the maximum, at the point of the gas jet, temperatures up to 1600 degrees can be reached, which makes it possible to melt even steel, but in fact, the tool will not cope with this task, since it simply does not have enough fuel in a small container to warm up the workpiece.

The main purpose of the tool is to warm up parts that need to be processed at high temperatures. For example, when unscrewing oxidized nuts and other threaded connections.When working at the maximum level, one refueling of the burner is enough for only 15 minutes of operation. On an industrial scale, this is very small, but for domestic purposes it may be quite enough. For example, a workpiece made of thin sheet metal, the cutter will process these data without problems.

A portable gas torch is capable of not only heating metal parts, but also completely melting them. Not every tool copes with such a task, and one of them is in front of us. The maximum temperature reached here is 1950 degrees, which allows you to warm up very quickly, and then melt the metal billet. With such power, the manufacturer had to sacrifice efficiency, and the tool eats up more than 200 grams per hour of work. However, the manufacturer himself recommends using only high cylinders of his own production. Holding up to 750 grams of fuel, and this capacity is enough for about three hours.

You should also consider the width of the nozzle. This is not a plasma cutter, and it will not work to make a thin, neat cut with it. In the case of thin parts, it will not be possible to avoid deformation, even with the minimum burner operation. Simply put, its purpose is to cut parts that are not intended for further use, or to warm up various parts that need to be exposed to high temperatures close to the melting point.

Portable cutting torches are not always convenient to use.They are assembled with a balloon, and it is quite difficult to get into uncomfortable places with them. This tool will come to the rescue, working from a regular household propane tank. It is connected to it with a flexible hose 1.3 meters long, which does not constrain the master in work and allows you not to constantly carry the cylinder.

Despite the absence of forced oxygen supply, the torch develops a temperature of up to 1,800 degrees, which is above the melting point of steel, and fuel consumption at such a load is only 300 grams per hour. Not the most modest indicator, but given the presence of such high-temperature regimes, it is quite adequate. Also, the advantages include the presence of a piezo ignition and the absence of the need to warm up the tool before work. After turning it on, it is already ready for use, you just need to run the tool at the maximum level, and then reduce the fuel supply to the required value.

The Russian brand Pathfinder is known to all lovers of tourism and outdoor activities, but in addition to tourist equipment, it also has cutters in its arsenal, one of which is rightfully awarded the title of the best, and there are several reasons for this. First, economy. At the maximum opening of the valve, the device consumes only 55 milliliters of fuel per hour of operation. This is the best result, and only for this instrument can be put in the first place in the rating. Secondly, the ability to work at extremely high temperatures. The heating of the jet is 1600 degrees, which is higher than the melting temperature of steel.

Despite working with such heating, the tool has a high safety class, and you can not be afraid of overheating of the handle. The power of the burner is 1.2 kilowatts, which is comparable to full-fledged cutters powered by two gas cylinders. The secret of such power lies in the mixture, that is, the cylinder contains not just propane, but a combustible liquid with a high octane rating. But among the shortcomings, the lack of the possibility of rotation of the nozzle stands out, which is compensated by a convenient handle and the presence of a piezo ignition.