Portable starter bundles
Our portable starter bundles put the core cutting kit in one matched package for farm repairs, mobile welding and small fabrication work. Each bundle combines the cutter, air-plasma power unit, torch, compressor and dryer so the components suit one another from the start.
What goes into a portable starter bundle
A portable starter bundle is a practical way to buy a complete cutting setup without mixing parts that do not suit the same duty. We match the gantry frame, control set, air-plasma power unit, torch arrangement, compressor and air dryer as one kit, then pack it around the bed size and thickness range you actually need.
These bundles are built around compact and portable CNC cutters for workshops, bays and mobile use. That makes them useful where floor space is limited, where the machine may need to move between bays, or where the job goes out to a farm workshop, shed or site container for a period.
- Portable cutter frame in one of the listed bed sizes
- Air-plasma power unit from 40 A to 200 A
- Hand or machine torch, or both where the brief calls for it
- Compressor sized for the selected power unit
- Air dryer to keep moisture out of the cut
- Basic setup items and operator handover on site
Bundle sizes and working limits
The bed size sets the sheet or plate area you can place on the table, while the power unit sets the practical thickness range and cutting speed. For lighter farm brackets, patch plates, gussets and trailer work, a small frame with a lower amp unit is often the sensible place to start. For thicker plate and longer parts, a larger frame and higher output unit are a better fit.
Common portable bed sizes on this range include 600 x 600 mm, 1 300 x 1 300 mm, 1 300 x 1 800 mm, 1 300 x 2 500 mm and 1 500 x 3 000 mm. Larger portable gantry options are available where the site can take them, but these bundles are still aimed at compact work rather than very heavy plate processing.
- 40 A to 85 A units suit lighter work, repair shops and thinner mild steel
- 105 A to 200 A units suit thicker plate, longer runs and higher output days
- Small beds are easier to move and suit short parts cut in batches
- Mid-size beds handle common sheet sizes used by small fabricators
- Longer beds help where frames, channels and base plates run past 2 metres
Working limits depend on material type, air quality, input power and the edge finish expected. A machine may sever thicker plate than it can cut neatly at production quality, so we discuss both the maximum thickness and the thickness you expect to cut most weeks.
Where these kits fit well
Starter bundles suit operators who want one buying decision instead of sourcing air, torch and cutter parts from different places. Around Bloemfontein that often means a farm workshop cutting replacement brackets, a mobile welder adding CNC capacity to site repair work, or a small fabrication shop handling gates, trailers, bins and maintenance parts.
They also make sense for teams working beyond the city where support visits cover the full cutting setup. In the Free State, the Northern Cape and Lesotho border towns, dry air and steady input power matter a lot, so a properly matched bundle avoids a lot of trial and error.
- Farm maintenance shops cutting brackets, cleats and repair plates
- Mobile welding teams needing a compact machine between jobs
- Small steel shops with limited floor area
- Schools or training spaces where the machine must stay manageable
- Branch workshops doing maintenance rather than mass production
When a heavier industrial setup makes more sense
Very thick plate every day, long production shifts, large nested sheet runs and oversized structures usually call for a heavier industrial setup. Pre-owned machines, retrofits and consumables sit outside these starter bundles as a main line.
A portable bundle suits covered, stable working conditions with clean air supply and reliable power. It can work well in a modest shop and it still needs a clean operating routine and sensible placement. Dust, slag build-up and damp air will show up in cut quality pretty quickly.
Site requirements and installation notes
Most bundles are installed in a workshop, covered yard or enclosed bay with a level floor and enough room around the frame for loading material. Compressor placement matters. Put it where the intake air is cleaner and cooler, and where daily draining is easy. In inland winter conditions the air can seem dry, then the line starts carrying water by midday when temperatures shift, so the dryer is essential for stable cutting.
For teams planning to run on generator power, tell us that early. The power unit size, compressor demand and cable arrangement all need to be matched properly. Generator-fed work can be done, but the setup needs to be sized honestly or the cut will suffer.
- Level working surface with safe access around the frame
- Suitable single-phase or three-phase supply depending on the selected unit
- Covered area away from direct rain and blowing dust
- Space for compressor, dryer and hose routing
- Material support for longer sheets and offcuts
- Ventilation appropriate for plasma cutting fumes
Care, service points and what to send with your enquiry
Good daily care is mostly about air, cleanliness and torch condition. Drain the compressor, keep the dryer serviced, remove slag from the cutting area and check leads before each shift. Routine attention keeps cuts tidy over time. A few minutes at the start of the day saves a lot of irritation later.
When you send an enquiry through our contact form, include the bed size you are considering, the material you cut most often, the maximum thickness, the thickness you cut on a normal week and whether the machine will stay in one shop or travel between sites. Also tell us about available power, generator use if any, and your town so we can plan delivery and training from Bloemfontein properly. If you need hand cutting as well as machine cutting, mention that too, as it affects torch choice and bundle layout.
What our Portable Plasma Cutter customers say
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Questions we get asked
Can I buy the bundle with a hand torch and a machine torch?
We can match the package around both torch uses where the work includes CNC cutting and general repair cutting. Tell us how often each one will be used so the power unit and air side are sized properly.
Will a starter bundle handle stainless steel or aluminium?
It can, provided the selected power unit and torch arrangement suit the material and thickness. Tell us which materials you cut most often because air quality, settings and expected finish matter more on non-mild steel work.
Do these bundles suit outdoor farm use?
They suit covered farm workshops and temporary work areas much better than open weather exposure. Dust, moisture and uneven power can affect cut quality, so we normally plan around a shed, workshop bay or protected container setup.
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Tell us about the job
Send sizes, materials and where you are through our contact form, and we will come back with the practical options.
Open the contact form