Hypertherm MAX 70 info??

[toomanytoyzz]

I was wondering if you guys have any info on these units? I am heading to an auction this Saturday and they have one going on the block. I'm wondering if the unit is single or three phase? If so what's the cutting specs on the unit? Couldn't find out too much on the world wide web. Got my fingers crossed for the single phase!!

 

[zkling]

They are older units (mid 90's I think). IIRC most of them were 3 phase, 480v machines. They did make a single phase variant, but it is pretty rare and takes gobs of power to operate (Like 75-100amp breaker on 230v). They take about as much juice to run as one of the older transformer tig machines. Although I think these are inverteres ~100lb units.

They were/are power houses of machines. I believe they were designed for industrial table applications. If it works that is one thing, but I have heard old plasma cutters are expensive to repair. Consumables may be hard to find and expensive. Again I have no first hand experience with this unit so, take it with a grain of sale.

What are your plans for the unit? 70A out of a plasma cutter is massive amounts of cutting capability (1" plate shouldn't be a problem). It also will require a good size compressor with proper filtration for a plasma unit. Also I THINK they have a pretty high low end, something like 25 amps is they lowest they will go, so it wouldn't be the best for sheet metal, and or you would be moving super fast.

Hyperthem doesn't make junk though.

Here is a manual for it. Drop down to "MAX70"

http://www.hypertherm.com/en/Service/Manuals/

 

[ADSR]

jim colt is a member here. He works for HT. try to PM or email him.

 

[toomanytoyzz]

Thanks for the tips guys!! I posted this up on weldingweb as well and wouldn't you know it.....Jim Colt replied to the thread. He set me straight and I went into the auction brimming with plenty 'o "DO NOT BUY" knowledge. It only brought $30, but it was missing the gun, the chord was cut and it was a 3 phase unit. It was scrap metal to me.