Lincoln Electric Tomahawk 1538
Key Specifications
Weight
output current
input voltage
duty cycle
cut capacity production
cut capacity severance
How much does the Lincoln Electric Tomahawk 1538 cost?
Estimated price range
Our best estimate for a cnc plasma cutting in this class — not a quote from Lincoln Electric. Configuration moves it a long way.
Overview
The Lincoln Electric Tomahawk 1538 is listed as a portable air plasma cutter with 20–38 A of output, weighing 11.3 kg (25 lb) and measuring 406 x 267 x 343 mm. It is a power source and torch, not a cutting table, and it reaches a CNC table only through the optional mechanized torch. The unit is not in Lincoln Electric's current lineup, so use the listed figures to judge a used one and confirm them on its nameplate.
Capacity in mild steel is listed at 12 mm (1/2 in) for production cutting and 19 mm (3/4 in) at severance. On a table the production figure is the one that counts. Piercing is normally harder on a plasma cutter than starting from an edge, and no pierce rating is listed.
Duty cycle decides whether this cutter suits mechanized work. It is listed at 35% at 38 A and 60% at 25 A. A hand operator rarely notices the lower figure, because repositioning gives the machine its rest. A CNC table does not pause, so long nests at full output will run into the thermal limit, and continuous work has to be planned around the 25 A rating and thinner material.
Input is 208–230 V, 1-ph, 50/60 Hz, with input amperage listed as 54 A at 230 V. That calls for a heavy dedicated circuit and is high enough for a unit of this size to be worth checking against the nameplate. The gas is compressed air through a built-in filter and regulator, and the pilot arc gives non-contact starts, which helps on painted or rusty plate and on expanded metal.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Output Current | 20–38 A |
| Input Voltage | 208–230 V, 1-ph, 50/60 Hz |
| Duty Cycle | 35% at 38 A; 60% at 25 A |
| Cut Capacity Production | 12 mm (1/2 in) mild steel |
| Cut Capacity Severance | 19 mm (3/4 in) mild steel |
| Gas Type | Compressed air (built-in filter/regulator) |
| Ignition | Pilot arc (non-contact starts) |
| Torch | Hand torch standard; mechanized torch optional |
| Machine Weight | 11.3 kg (25 lb) |
| Dimensions Hwd | 406 x 267 x 343 mm |
| Input Amperage | 54 A at 230 V |
| Warranty | 3 years (Lincoln Electric standard) |
Specifications compiled from manufacturer literature and industry references. Not independently verified against a published spec sheet — confirm with the manufacturer or an authorised dealer before making a purchasing decision.
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- 11.3 kg (25 lb) and 406 x 267 x 343 mm, so it carries easily between jobs
- Runs on a 208–230 V, 1-ph supply; no three-phase service needed
- Pilot arc ignition gives non-contact starts
- Built-in filter and regulator for the compressed air supply
- Listed production cut of 12 mm (1/2 in) in mild steel, with severance at 19 mm (3/4 in)
Limitations
- Duty cycle is 35% at 38 A, which restricts continuous mechanized cutting at full output
- The mechanized torch is optional; the standard package has a hand torch
- Input amperage is listed as 54 A at 230 V, a heavy circuit for a cutter of this size
- Production capacity stops at 12 mm (1/2 in) of mild steel
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
Only with the optional mechanized torch; a hand torch is standard. The duty cycle is the constraint to weigh: 35% at 38 A and 60% at 25 A. Short nests in thin material fit within that, while long continuous cuts at full output do not.
02
The listed figures give 12 mm (1/2 in) of mild steel for production cutting and 19 mm (3/4 in) at severance. Severance means the plate separates but the edge is rough and travel is slow, so plan regular work at or below the production figure.
03
Single-phase input, listed as 208–230 V, 1-ph, 50/60 Hz, with input amperage of 54 A at 230 V. Check the breaker and wiring of the intended outlet against the nameplate of the actual unit before running it at full output.
04
35% at 38 A and 60% at 25 A. Duty cycle is the share of a ten-minute period the unit can cut before it has to cool, so at full output it cuts for about three and a half minutes in ten. Turning the current down to 25 A extends that to six minutes in ten.
05
Compressed air, the only gas listed. The unit has a built-in filter and regulator. No pressure or flow requirement is listed, so take those from the manual, and keep the air dry: moisture shortens consumable life on any air plasma cutter.
Videos
Electro Green
Lincoln Electric
