Recent content by jimcolt

The 45 is rated (factory) to sever 1". If you need to do this often you simply need a larger plasma! To prove a point once I severed 1-1/2" with the 45, extremely slowly. Picture attached of 2 pieces of 3/4" steel stacked up and severed with Powermax45. Jim Colt Hypertherm

To cut continuously with a Powermax30 you need to supply it with air at 90 to 120 psi with an air compressor that can deliver 4.5 cfm (cubic feet per minute) @ 90 psi. You will not ever cut continuously....so you can cut with any compressor that can produce at least 90 psi.....if the...

These systems both have their advantages. Powermax45: -More power, is production rated to cut 1/2" steel at a reasonable speed and quality. -Has an available machine torch for best performance in mechanized use on a cnc machine, pipe cutter, track burner, etc. -has an interface receptacle for...

The Lotos 50 produces 50 amps of Plasma cutting power. The power supply draws AC power from your shop power system then converts it into DC (direct current) that runs at up to 50 amps (cutting power) at between 75 and 160 volts (lower voltage on thin materials, higher load voltage on thick...

Here is a picture of 1/2" cutting using a 45 amp Hypertherm air plasma. Cost per foot of cut on 1/2" steel....which includes electricity, compressed air and consumables for the torch is less than 5 cents per foot (is more with other plasma cutters, Hypertherm typically cuts at the lowest cost)...

Rule 1. It is expensive to operate. Torches and saws are cheaper. It should definitely be a tool in your arsenal but it shouldn't be the first one you always grab. This depends on the plasma cutter. Many of the older technology plasma's and low cost imports eat consumables at as much as 10x...

The symptoms sound like inlet air starvation. If I was there I would install an air pressure gauge right on the inlet fitting. Look at the pressure on the gauge with no flow (the specs for the Powermax30 say that the pressure should be between 90 and 120 psi), then activate the airflow to the...

My 34 year old shop compressor finally reached the end of its usable life (motor windings burned, tank is getting rusty) so I started watching Ebay and Craigslist daily for a suitable replacement. I wanted at least 12.0 cfm with a 60 to 80 gallon receiver. Prefer a low speed industrial pump for...

The PAC2xt is an old system from Thermal Dynamics.....probably late 80's vintage. They are a competitive product to Hypertherm. I suspect they still make the torch consumables....but probably nothing in regards to replacement parts for the power supply. Jim Colt Hypertherm

Sounds like you may have gotten a great deal. If you decide to buy a new torch....go with the Duramax upgrade, faster, cleaner cuts and longer consumable life. If you were in NH I'd check it out for you in my shop for free.... Jim Colt

The Eastwood plasma is a high frequency start plasma....this means it uses a 15,000 volt high frequency discharge to ionize the air everytime it has to fire the plasma cutting arc. This high frequency discharge is a show stopper for any cnc machine that uses a laptop or PC as the cnc control. It...

I have both the 30xp and the 45 in my home shop (I work for Hypertherm as well, home shop is separate). When I need to cut thin material and only have easy access to 120 volt power on my property...the 30 or the 30XP is a great solution. I used it one time to get some quarter panels from a local...

Used Powermax30's sell in the $300 to $900 range. Keep in mind that the warranty on these units is 3 years, and is transferable....so find out when it was originally bought or call Hypertherm customer service with the model and serial and they can tell you if it is still covered. The Powermax30...

You can always contact me via PM seven days a week....I am happy to answer Hypertherm related questions. A used Powermax1250 (80 amp, 3/4" production1-1/2 severance rated) with a hand torch in running condition is typically worth between $1800 and $2400. If they are for sale in that range they...

There is a huge variation in consumable life between plasma system models and manufacturers. With the low cost import plasma's.....(which use generic torches that typically are copied technology from older designs from the major plasma manufacturers), expect a low purchase price for the system...