# ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter vs Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter (ESAB) and Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter (Forney) among plasma cutters. Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter is the cheaper of the two at $399.99.

## Side by side

| Spec | ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter | Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $1734 | $399.99 |
| Brand | ESAB | Forney |
| Cutting amperage (A) | 40 | 20 |
| Rated cut thickness | 1/2 in (12mm) | 1/4 in (6mm) |
| Sever cut thickness | 1 in (25mm) | — |
| Duty cycle at rated amps | 40% @ 40A, 60% @ 30A, 100% @ 20A | 35% @ 20A |
| Input voltage | 110-240V, 1-PH, auto-sensing | 120V |
| Pilot arc | Yes | No |
| Air requirement | 300-500 cfh (5-8.3 CFM) @ 90-125 psi | 1.5 CFM (PSI not published by Forney) |
| Weight (lb) | 22 | 21.5 |

## Key differences

- Cutting amperage (A): ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter 40 vs Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter 20
- Rated cut thickness: ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter 1/2 in (12mm) vs Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter 1/4 in (6mm)
- Duty cycle at rated amps: ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter 40% @ 40A, 60% @ 30A, 100% @ 20A vs Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter 35% @ 20A
- Input voltage: ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter 110-240V, 1-PH, auto-sensing vs Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter 120V
- Pilot arc: ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter Yes vs Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter No
- Air requirement: ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter 300-500 cfh (5-8.3 CFM) @ 90-125 psi vs Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter 1.5 CFM (PSI not published by Forney)
- Weight (lb): ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter 22 vs Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter 21.5

## Sources

- ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter: https://store.cyberweld.com/products/thermal-dynamics-cutmaster-40-plasma-cutter-1-4000-1 (store.cyberweld.com, verified 2026-08-11)
- Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter: https://www.farmandfleet.com/products/1396707-forney-easy-weld-251-20-p-plasma-cutter.html (farmandfleet.com, verified 2026-08-11)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/plasma-cutters/esab-cutmaster-40-vs-forney-easy-weld-251/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter ($1734) vs Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter ($399.99) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/plasma-cutters/esab-cutmaster-40-vs-forney-easy-weld-251/
License: CC BY 4.0.