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Over the past two decades, the plasma cutting scene has exploded with some of the best machines in the history of the industry. Along with that, Lincoln has created their own line of plasma cutters with the quality and reliability their brand has built its name on. While each of the Tomahawk machines are based on a different power tier, they also bring their own features to the table. Here’s a breakdown of each machine to help you decide which Tomahawk is best for you.
Tomahawk 375 Air
“This is a great machine for home use. And with the onboard compressor, it is very portable.” - Tim M.
If you’re just getting into plasma cutting or looking for a portable solution, the Tomahawk is the answer. First off, these machines are easy on your wallet, while still offering the Lincoln quality you’ve come to expect from one of the best brands in the world. Secondly, it’s one of the most portable plasma cutters on the market and doesn’t require an external air compressor to run.
The Tomahawk 375 already has a built-in air compressor (as well as the ability to connect to an external air compressor). This means you aren’t shackled to an external compressor, making the 375 incredibly portable and easy to use. No more lugging around several units of equipment every time you need to cut. This is especially useful for welders that don’t work exclusively in one location, such as welding on a farm or construction.
It should be noted that the internal compressor isn’t designed to completely replace an external compressor.
Another thing to consider is the thickness of material you’re looking to cut. The 375 is recommended for cutting 5/16 inch, with a maximum cut of 3/8 inch and a sever cut of 1/2 inch. In case you’re wondering, here’s what that means: Maximum cut is how thick of material the machine can cut cleanly, requiring very little or no clean up afterwards. Sever cut is the absolute limit the machine can cut, and the actual cut is often quite rough, usually requiring clean up.
For many welders, 5/16 is all they need, but it’s important to take your own projects into account before deciding which machine to purchase.
Tomahawk 625
“Shipping came so fast it beat other things I had ordered days before. Easy hook up and operation. I have already saved loads of time with this machine over oxy acetylene, cut off tools and grinders, and I've only had it a week. I've had projects in aluminum and stainless steel just sitting on the shelf, but not anymore.”
Compared to the 375, the Tomahawk 625 offers significantly more power without much of an increased cost. While the 375 has a sever cut of ½ inch, the Tomahawk 625 has a recommended cut of ½ inch (meaning it can cleanly cut that thickness all day long).
Because of the increased power, there’s no internal compressor with the 625, so you’ll need an external air compressor. Besides more power, the Tomahawk 625 also has some strong features and performance benefits.
The Tomahawk 625 features Continuous Output Control, which focuses the arc for different material thickness. On top of that, it also has a touch start system that creates a reliable plasma arc initiation without high frequency. These two features make for an incredibly enjoyable experience with the type of clean cuts you could only dream about with other processes.
Ultimately, if you don’t need the portability of the Tomahawk 375, you should consider the 625. The added benefits and power are more than worth the extra $470 price difference.
Tomahawk 1000
“The Tomahawk 1000 Plasma Cutter is the smoothest cutting plasma machine I have ever used. That's important to me because I truly dislike having to grind a freshly cut piece of metal. The 25' hand torch hose, the gouging function, and direct drag tips make it that much easier to use.”
This is where things get serious. While incredibly easy to use, the a href="https://www.weldmyride.com/lincoln-tomahawk-1000-plasma-cutter-with-25-ft-hand-torch-k2808-1">Tomahawk 1000 is generally not for the first-time plasma cutter. It packs a significant amount of power, capable of cleanly cutting through material an inch thick. That’s about as thick as you can go before you have to break into the heavy-duty, commercial-grade plasma cutters.
For all that cutting power, the Tomahawk 1000 is still incredibly portable. Weighing in at 45 pounds, most welders can carry it around without special equipment (though you’ll probably want a cart if you’re frequently moving it).
Beyond its power and portability, the Tomahawk 1000 features something that none of the other Tomahawk models have. It’s called PowerConnect technology. This automatically senses and adjusts to input power for a range of 200 to 600 volts, single or three phase, 50 or 60 hertz. Regardless of the settings, cutting output remains constant throughout the entire input voltage range.
Whether you’re a Lincoln fan or not, the Tomahawk series of plasma cutters offers a pretty compelling argument, even with tough competition like Hypertherm and Thermal Dynamics. To see more about each of these models check out the Tomahawk 375, Tomahawk 625 and Tomahawk 1000.
