ESAB
ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter
$1734
Best Plasma Cutters · head-to-head
ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter vs Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter is cheaper at $399.99. Every spec and price links to its source.
Forney
Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter
$399.99Cheaper
Which is better: the ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter or Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter?
The Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter is the cheaper at $399.99. The Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter both leads on specs and costs less — the straightforward pick.
See ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter on Amazon See Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter on Amazon
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter | Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $1734 | $399.99 |
| Brand | ESAB | Forney |
| Released | — | — |
| 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 |
Sources — ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter: store.cyberweld.com (verified 2026-08-11). Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter: farmandfleet.com (verified 2026-08-11).
What's the difference between the ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter and Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (7 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- 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 true vs Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter false
- 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