Hobart
Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter
$2009
Best Plasma Cutters · head-to-head
Hobart AirForce 40i 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 Hobart AirForce 40i 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 Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter on Amazon See Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter on Amazon
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified at capture; live price may differ.
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter | Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $2009 | $399.99 |
| Brand | Hobart | Forney |
| Released | — | — |
| Cutting amperage (A) | 40 | 20 |
| Rated cut thickness | 5/8 in (16mm) | 1/4 in (6mm) |
| Sever cut thickness | 7/8 in (22mm) | — |
| Duty cycle at rated amps | 60% @ 40A/240V, 35% @ 27A/120V | 35% @ 20A |
| Input voltage | 120V/240V (MVP multi-voltage plug) | 120V |
| Pilot arc | Yes | No |
| Air requirement | 6.0 CFM @ 90-120 psi | 1.5 CFM (PSI not published by Forney) |
| Weight (lb) | 22 | 21.5 |
Sources — Hobart AirForce 40i 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 Hobart AirForce 40i 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): Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter 40 vs Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter 20
- Rated cut thickness: Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter 5/8 in (16mm) vs Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter 1/4 in (6mm)
- Duty cycle at rated amps: Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter 60% @ 40A/240V, 35% @ 27A/120V vs Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter 35% @ 20A
- Input voltage: Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter 120V/240V (MVP multi-voltage plug) vs Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter 120V
- Pilot arc: Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter true vs Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter false
- Air requirement: Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter 6.0 CFM @ 90-120 psi vs Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter 1.5 CFM (PSI not published by Forney)
- Weight (lb): Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter 22 vs Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter 21.5