#1 Best Selling Plasma Cutter on Amazon; Bestarc BTC500DP with Pilot Arc

I was sent this Bestarc plasma cutter to test out. It is the Pilot Arc BTC500DP 3rd Generation. I figured I'd let my dad test it out, since he has been welding and cutting steel since before I was born. We spent the afternoon testing this machine, and it impressed both of us. If you're looking for a plasma cutter that not only cuts great, but is economical also I don't believe you can go wrong with this machine. That is probably why it is listed as the number one bestseller in plasma cutters on Amazon. Here is an affiliate link. If you would like to check it out for yourself.
Pilot Arc BTC500DP 3rd Generation 50Amps Dual Voltage 110/220V Digital Plasma Cutting Machine
amzn.to/48bETlg
Pilot Arc BTC500DP 7th Generation 50Amps Screen Display Dual Voltage 110/220V Digital Plasma Cutting Machine
amzn.to/4aytLAt
Instagram: / bestarc_offical
TikTok: / bestarc_plasma
00:00 Introduction
00:28 Unboxing and Setup
03:18 1/8" Steel Cutting 110V
04:12 1/4" Steel Cutting 110V
06:12 3/8" Steel Cutting 110V
07:44 ? 1/2" Steel Cutting 110V
08:51 Converting Plasma Cutter to 220V
09:52 1/2" Steel Cutting 220V
11:04 3/16" Stainless Steel Cutting 220V
12:36 High Carbon Steel Cutting 220V
14:45 ? 3/4" Steel Cutting 220V
16:36 Conclusion
0:00: ⚙️ Review of a new plasma cutter for metalworking, including unboxing and initial impressions.
3:41: ⚙️ Demonstration of plasma cutter settings and performance.
7:08: ⚙️ Testing the machine's cutting capacity and adjusting the pressure for optimal performance.
10:42: ⚙️ Efficient cutting of stainless steel with plasma cutter demonstrated at 10:42 to 11:32.
14:18: ⚙️ Demonstration of cutting metal with a plasma cutter set at 50 amps, testing its capability on 3/4 inch stock.
Recap by Tammy AI

[@ICSpotz]

Hearing the older experienced welder say he is very impressed with the machine says all I need to know to go out and buy one of these machines.....good video.... thanks much.

[@ShopRamblings]

It was 40 years ago since I took metal trades in high school. It has probably been 25 years since I have been paid in the metal trades. I mostly do woodworking now. When they sent me this to review, I figured he would be much more knowledgeable than me since he has been in the metal trades for 60 years and still does it daily. After watching him use it, I wanted to keep the machine. I had already told him I was giving it to him so I am going to have to buy myself one also. He is using it to build a cnc plasma table.

[@MaxTSanches]

Thanks for showing us the lenght of the hose on the gun. :) And the little trick at 13:25 for setting the ground.

[@ShopRamblings]

I hope it helped.

[@johndias6614]

Thanks for taking your time to demonstrate this cutter. I just got mine delivered today.

[@ShopRamblings]

Be sure to post what you think after you use it.

[@TTaylor]

Now THIS is a review! Thanks fellas. I got a box of them chipmunks headed to me.

[@ShopRamblings]

I hope you are as impressed as we were!!

[@michaelcalkins6125]

thank you for a real life video on this plasma cutter. nice job!

[@ShopRamblings]

Glad you liked it!

[@robertoo633]

Hooked up little Bestarc plasma to my newly built JD^Garage cnc plasma table and it worked great, just be sure to use shielded cable to the switch. Thanks for letting an old person use new technologies. I recommend this little machine.

[@ShopRamblings]

Thanks for sharing

[@donmahone4847]

My wife is going to be so ticked that I bought a new barn tool! Teehee! Thanks for the vid!

[@ShopRamblings]

I still use this one, and it is still working great.

[@struggle375]

Cool video, always learn something new here

[@ShopRamblings]

Glad to hear it! I try to make decent videos but may not always succeed.

[@JJ-ix3sm]

perfect vid i was looking for, thanks

[@ShopRamblings]

Glad I could help

[@Yraens]

Gotta say I enjoyed pops.

[@ShopRamblings]

I think he enjoyed it to.

[@pontoonboatlover]

I just ordered this same cutter from Amazon, looking forward to putting it to use. Thanks for your advice.

[@ShopRamblings]

Be sure to let me know what you think after using it.

[@chrisedward7659]

Very impressed and I like the video, good job, guys.

[@ShopRamblings]

Thanks. It is a great machine.

[@lesterhuhta5624]

Good job on the video and demonstration!

[@ShopRamblings]

Thank you!

[@fixit4182]

I bought this rig, so far it’s amazing

[@ShopRamblings]

I'm glad to hear you had good results like us.

[@TheKidFromYTown]

I liked the video and found it informative. I see on Amazon they have a 7th generation for $30 more. I added this to my wish list. Thanks.

[@ShopRamblings]

They said they were sending the 7th gen, but we got the 3rd instead. It was a great machine. Fingers crossed that they may send out the 7th gen to test.

[@jimyoungquist1687]

The torch cable is LONG, but the ground clamp cable is SHORT.

[@ShopRamblings]

I seemed to be long enough. It would be easy to extend it if you wanted it longer.

[@M70ACARRY]

I sure would like a table like that.

[@ShopRamblings]

Pops had put a table on Craigs list for sale and a guy drove from out of State to come get it. It is amazing what old people will collect during a lifetime.

[@keithgreen3257]

Great cutter 😮

[@ShopRamblings]

I agree.

[@anthony1burke]

Going to buy one now! i don't do this alot but having a 200 dollar one is an easier pill to swallow then a 1000 dollar one that gets used once or twice a year

[@ShopRamblings]

I agree, it is had to spend $1000 on tool that is only needed a couple of times a year. It does say a lot that my Dad who has a $1000 machine, that when his last one went out bought another $1000 machine, likes using this one better.

[@mikeschuler2946]

Nice unit

[@ShopRamblings]

Yes it is. I was just using it earlier today. Ran it off a battery. This new technology is amazing.

[@Stefanos.Tsokaras]

Thanks!!!

[@ShopRamblings]

Welcome!

[@alfredhummer4396]

I actually ordered one tonight.

[@ShopRamblings]

Cool. Let me know what you think when you get it.

[@alfredhummer4396]

Absolutely will.

[@johnreecer6839]

Bought one a little over a year ago is a great tool here on the farm hardly use oxy torch anymore ,cut lots 1/4 and 3/8 no problem

[@ShopRamblings]

I am glad to hear it has lasted. Pops was asking how it was so much cheaper and lighter than his miller but was able to cut thicker material. I told him the miller probably had a longer duty cycle and would last longer. Knowing it will last a couple of years and can buy 5 of these for the price of one Miller make me confident it is a good deal. Thanks for the info.

[@johnreecer6839]

@@ShopRamblings yes for the price I don’t think you can beat it if mine quit working today I’d order a new one in a heartbeat the 7th gen though, they came out the same week I ordered mine should have went with it for some upgraded features but I’m still happy with it.

[@tg-rn7tg]

Don't feel to bad I order my 7th gen and to days later it was $50 cheaper

[@ShopRamblings]

@tg-rn7tg more importantly, how does it work?

[@johnreecer6839]

@@ShopRamblings works great I’m happy with it wouldn’t hesitate to buy another one if it quits working

[@bennyhill3642]

I wouldn't think they would last 20 yeara... I wondered what the cycle time was on it?? Gr8 Vid Thanks again😇😁😇

[@ShopRamblings]

I agree. However, Pops said his Miller stopped working, and he sent it in for repairs. I think he said it was going to be around $800 to repair. It wasn't 20 years old. You could replace this one 4 times and still save money. In a commercial setting, I would still get a higher end machine, but I think this one will work fine for the average individual.

[@jondrew55]

Got mine yesterday. Packaging was in great shape. Opened the box and the pressure regulator knob was busted off. Poor internal packaging or it was already broken when they packed it. I took the cover off and fixed it, but the regulator was pushed into one of the circuit boards, so I figured it's better to just return it and get a replacement. Now I gotta wait another couple of days. :(

[@ShopRamblings]

Sorry to hear that

[@jondrew55]

@@ShopRamblings It's all good. Amazon will come thru I'm sure

[@Kenneth-lh8fo]

A very good video..This is the one for me .thanks 12:20

[@ShopRamblings]

I hope you like it

[@ravenheart1439]

I believe AR400..super high carbon..we used it for rock Crusher liners..I assume that's prolly what it is..

[@ShopRamblings]

Thanks for the info

[@Downtownmtb]

Great video! Thanks. Any idea what the difference might be between the 2nd generation and 7th gen on Amazon? They look the same to me. What gen did you order?

[@Downtownmtb]

Nevermind, I looked at the comparison on Amazon and they added a digital screen for the 5th gen and on. I actually like the analog dial for less money. All other features and settings look the same.

[@ShopRamblings]

Glad you found your answer.

[@Passion_jardin]

like your video, what is the best between non touch arc and touch arc i want to buy a plasma cutter and i don,t know what to by.. have a nice day

[@ShopRamblings]

I believe the difference is one you have to touch the metal to start the arc and the other you don't. I am not a professional metal worker. My Dad has been for around 60 years. He was genuinely impressed by this machine. The machine he had cost 4x what this one does and could not cut what this one can. The difference is the duty cycle. His is a commercial machine that can basically cut all day without stopping. This machine may have to cool off after a lot of cutting.

[@dkdogs]

How are you not tripping the breaker at 110 set at 35amps on a 20 amp breaker?

[@ShopRamblings]

The chipmunks inside the machine take the volts and spin them really fast. As the volts drop the amps increase. I have not looked up the output voltage but you can put out 70 amps at 30 volts on a 20 amp 110 volt breaker.

[@karolstruck9822]

They also use T15 which is also known as a tool steel. The only true way of finding out what it is is to send it to a metallurgical shop. They can scan this using a laser or a radio frequency machine AKA x-rays can you give me the composition they might even do this for free. But thank you very much for doing the review on this machine as I have been interested in it for some time.

[@ShopRamblings]

Thanks

[@headhunter7049]

Most grader blades are boron steel that's been through hardened.

[@ShopRamblings]

Thanks. It is definitely hard.

[@chrisparker5895]

Hello, My concern is my compressor’s flow rate is 2.2 CFM at 90 psi Just wondering if that would be enough output for this particular plasma cutter? I’ll be cutting no thicker than 1.0 mm Thanks

[@ShopRamblings]

Bestarc says it needs around 8cfm. That would be cutting at max pressure. At 1mm you will not need as much pressure so you will not be using as much air. It would probably work but you may have to wait for the tank to fill between cuts.

[@chrisparker5895]

@@ShopRamblings I just bought a 10 gallon Fortress air compressor today with 4.3 SCFM @ 90 PSI, 5.4 SCFM @ 40 PSI… this should be plenty for what I’ll be doing Thanks again

[@stuartstayfit70plus]

hi i’m in australia and we have 220 volts but i’m interested in what amps your 220 outlet is as my electrician is holding out on me

[@ShopRamblings]

According to the manual the input for 220v is 15-30 amp.

[@robertoo633]

I run a 30 Amp 240 volt plug 😅

[@michaelmounts1269]

what is the cfm /tank size of your compressor? Amazon ad says recommended air flow is 250Lm-or 28 cfm…I have s 26 gallon and cfm is only about 8 at 90psi🤔

[@ShopRamblings]

I was at my Dads shop. I am not sure what size his compressor is but it was way bigger than needed. It only kicked on once all day. What you cut and if you are running 110 or 220v will determine how much air you need. Their recommended is enough to run the machine at max. If you plan cutting with 110v or thinner than 1/4" it will not take near about as much. It also depends on what you are cutting. Are you cutting 2" pieces of angle iron or 8' sheets. If you are not constantly making long cuts the compressor should be able to catch up in between cuts or you may need to wait for the tank to fill.

[@tyjack1702]

Way to be!

[@ShopRamblings]

Thanks

[@bearupfarm1818]

Do you think it will run off a generator? It the only power I have.

[@ShopRamblings]

I tried to find some information about this. It is going to depend on the size of the generator. So it should work with most decent size generators.

[@bearupfarm1818]

I a 15000 pure sine wave with a 50 amp 220 volt and 120 volt 30 amp.

[@JuanPerez-bf5xu]

So I am looking for a plasma cutter just wondering is that really a good cutter or not really?

[@ShopRamblings]

It depends on what you want to cut. My dad had a Miller. This will cut thicker material but has a lower duty cycle. I believe this I better than the Miller unless you are doing.production work.

[@kevinfeckner3444]

It’s probably made out of some type of AR 400/500 ?

[@ShopRamblings]

Thanks

[@mrgreezy1]

Does this machine require gas or have a gas hook up ? If so what kind ? Thanks. 💯

[@ShopRamblings]

It connects to an air compressor. It uses regular air.

[@jimyoungquist1687]

It works quite well, but it is sad to find out that after buying it, The Bestarc gen 7 is not compatible with any CNC plasma table.

[@ShopRamblings]

Most cnc tables use low frequency plasma machines. I states this is a high-frequency machine. They sell a low frequency machine. It sounds like you didn't know what you needed and bought the wrong thing. That is the good thing about free returns.

[@jimyoungquist1687]

@@ShopRamblings When I bought my Bestarc Gen 7 I wasn't shopping for a CNC plasma table, but soon after experiencing the improved capabilities of the Bestarc, I was looking at ArcDroid and a few others, only to find out the low frequency requirements. By that time i had my Bestarc long enough that the free Amazon returns had expired.

[@robertoo633]

This video is with a Gen 3 and I have it hooked to a JD's Garage cnc plasma and so far it is working for me

[@raginroadrunner]

clean the ground with a grinder

[@ShopRamblings]

In a perfect world just use new metal. In the country we use what we got. Before you could you could be back with a grinder the cut would already be made.

[@loydfernandes8515]

How much cost 😊

[@ShopRamblings]

$199

[@raginroadrunner]

works better on 220.

[@ShopRamblings]

It can put out more power on 220.

[@dougadams9419]

👎 For the selfie video. All the text is backwards. RTFM for your phone on making a video.

[@ShopRamblings]

Sorry about that.

[@GreenGrow-ck3pg]

My friend is mopping up his mess sloppy sloshing noises then these 2 smacking while speaking not reading a script with junk around, plasma box trash everywhere. Who's more annoying? I can't tell

[@ShopRamblings]

Ok