30xp or 45?

[TheLincolnDude2000]

I am trying to build up my shop with some better equipment, I already have an acetylene torch but I want a plasma cutter for every day 1/4 inch cutting of stock aluminum and steel. I have looked at both the Hypertherm powermax 30xp and the 45, I can afford either one and I have an 80 gal air compressor. The main problem I have with the 45 is that I can't plug it in a normal 120 volt outlet if I need to do some mobile cutting away from the shop, but I do 80% of my work inside. The other problem is that the 45 still has the older style torch while the 30xp has a new one that's more comfortable. The problems with the 30xp are that it isn't meant to have a machine torch attached for future cnc cutting I might do, the other issue is that it's maximum cut is 5/8 and I might get into some 3/4 inch plate for a table or for brackets for d rings. I cut and weld 4 days out of the week in my spare time and I almost never cut anything above 1/4 inch. I am stuck trying to sway myself one way or the other, so help me pick my plasma machine.

sorry for the long winded post.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I'd get the 30xp for use now, since your primary concerns are thinner stuff and possible portable use.

Worry about a CNC table when you get to that stage

Use the O/A torch for any thick stuff if you actually get into it.

 

[Just_George]

I've got a Powermax 65 and just bought a 30-xp for a remote job. Given your parameters, the 30-xp will probably do MOST of what you want, but the 45 will do more, and do it better. Note that when run on 120v, the 30-xp will be somewhat limited - nice to have the capability to go mobile when needed, but it's still a better, more efficient machine when run on 240v. Tough call, but unless you see the need for a lot of off-site work, I'd go with the 45.


Edit: Ann Arbor Welding Supply has a big setup at the Monroe County Fair for the next week (beginning Sunday) and will have their best pricing on the Hypertherm units during the fair. If you're ready to make the move, might be a good time/place to buy.

 

[TheLincolnDude2000]

Ok thanks guys, unfortunately I won't make it to the fair I'll be at a tractor pull. I'm still on the fence about which plasma cutter I want tho. Dose anyone else have a hypertherm machine.

 

[zkling]

45 for sure. Do a reality check on portable use, will you also have a suitable compressor to run on the "field work" 120V? Yes you could run compressed gas bottle, but that gets expensive quick. Just my 2 cents.

 

[TheLincolnDude2000]

I won't have a problem with getting air I have a Gas powered air compressor.

 

[66dave]

So I am thinking the same question as the OP. So let's ask it a different way, does anyone have a 30 and wish they bought the 45?

 

[TheLincolnDude2000]

Bump!

 

[tarbellb]

Be sure to check out the Hot Deals thread, there was a 30 (older model?) on a pretty good sale. Might be the push you need to decide.

 

[jimcolt]

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 scrap yard (gen 2 Camaro) that the yard wasn't interested in removing for me. I brought a high pressure cylinder of air, a regulator and a 4200 watt generator and had the panels off in minutes (note that the salvage yard now has the same setup after watching my demo....and they gave me the quarter panels!).

If I am in my shop and want to cut materials a bit thicker than 10 gauge...the Powermax45 is definitely quicker. I have a machine torch as well and used the Powermax45 for two years on one of my cnc machines (now replaced with a Powermax85).

The 45 is faster, more powerful and has an available machine torch and can pierce 1/2" all day...the 30XP is hand torch only and can pierce 3/8", the 30 can pierce 1/4".

Jim Colt Hypertherm