# Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter vs YesWelder CUT-55DS PLUS Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter (Hobart) and YesWelder CUT-55DS PLUS Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter (YesWelder) among plasma cutters. YesWelder CUT-55DS PLUS Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter is the cheaper of the two at $309.

## Side by side

| Spec | Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter | YesWelder CUT-55DS PLUS Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $2009 | $309 |
| Brand | Hobart | YesWelder |
| Cutting amperage (A) | 40 | 55 |
| Rated cut thickness | 5/8 in (16mm) | 3/8 in (10mm) @ 220V, 5/16 in (8mm) @ 110V |
| Sever cut thickness | 7/8 in (22mm) | 3/4 in (18mm) @ 220V, 9/16 in (14mm) @ 110V |
| Duty cycle at rated amps | 60% @ 40A/240V, 35% @ 27A/120V | 60% @ 55A/220V, 100% @ 42A/220V; 60% @ 35A/110V, 100% @ 27A/110V |
| Input voltage | 120V/240V (MVP multi-voltage plug) | 110V/220V ±10% |
| Pilot arc | Yes | Yes |
| Air requirement | 6.0 CFM @ 90-120 psi | 6.0 CFM max; 55-70 psi @ 220V, 50-60 psi @ 110V |
| Weight (lb) | 22 | 14.48 |

## Key differences

- Cutting amperage (A): Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter 40 vs YesWelder CUT-55DS PLUS Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter 55
- Rated cut thickness: Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter 5/8 in (16mm) vs YesWelder CUT-55DS PLUS Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter 3/8 in (10mm) @ 220V, 5/16 in (8mm) @ 110V
- Sever cut thickness: Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter 7/8 in (22mm) vs YesWelder CUT-55DS PLUS Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter 3/4 in (18mm) @ 220V, 9/16 in (14mm) @ 110V
- Duty cycle at rated amps: Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter 60% @ 40A/240V, 35% @ 27A/120V vs YesWelder CUT-55DS PLUS Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter 60% @ 55A/220V, 100% @ 42A/220V; 60% @ 35A/110V, 100% @ 27A/110V
- Input voltage: Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter 120V/240V (MVP multi-voltage plug) vs YesWelder CUT-55DS PLUS Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter 110V/220V ±10%
- Air requirement: Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter 6.0 CFM @ 90-120 psi vs YesWelder CUT-55DS PLUS Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter 6.0 CFM max; 55-70 psi @ 220V, 50-60 psi @ 110V
- Weight (lb): Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter 22 vs YesWelder CUT-55DS PLUS Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter 14.48

## Sources

- Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter: https://store.cyberweld.com/products/hobart-airforce-40i-plasma-cutter-500576 (store.cyberweld.com, verified 2026-08-11)
- YesWelder CUT-55DS PLUS Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter: https://yeswelder.com/products/pilot-arc-plasma-cutter (yeswelder.com, verified 2026-08-11)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/plasma-cutters/hobart-airforce-40i-vs-yeswelder-cut-55ds-plus/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter ($2009) vs YesWelder CUT-55DS PLUS Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter ($309) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/plasma-cutters/hobart-airforce-40i-vs-yeswelder-cut-55ds-plus/
License: CC BY 4.0.