Miller or Hypertherm Plasma Cutter?

[Alan H.]

I am going to buy a quality plasma cutter in the nominal 1/2" capacity range.

Pondering a Miller Spectrum 625 or a Hypertherm Power Max 45.

I like Miller simply because I have used their welders for years. I am told by others to consider Hypertherm.

I am looking for your experience and insights to help me make a choice.

 

[ADSR]

Hypertherm is the only plasma that's made entirely start to finish in the USA. I have the PM30 And love it.

 

[Jbullfrog]

My Miller dealer sold me a Hypertherm.

 

[wagzilla]

I have a Miller Spectrum 625 and it works just fine, who ever gives you the better deal and you can get parts for easy.

James

 

[Jeeper75]

I have a powermax 30 lt and love it. They seem to be the go to choice.

 

[Finky198]

I have a Miller Spectrum 625 and it works just fine, who ever gives you the better deal and you can get parts for easy.

James

Same here I purchased a spectrum 625 extreme barley used on eBay it works great. Tons of use just use clean air and you'll never have an issue. Both Miller and Hypertherm make nice machines. Most will tell you to go Hypertherm. I have two local Miller dealer so it was an easy decision for me.

 

[ovrrdrive]

The Millers don't really have a great reputation... Miller does, but not their plasma cutters.

If you want a serious plasma cutter Hypertherm is the only undisputed choice. The only complaint you'll ever hear about them is their price.

 

[Strouty]

Hypertherm is the only plasma that's made entirely start to finish in the USA. I have the PM30 And love it.

This was originally why I bought a thermal dynamics cutter, then they outsourced things left and right.

 

[dr_clyde]

I love Miller welders, but I'd buy a Hypertherm and not think twice.

 

[Finky198]

The Millers don't really have a great reputation... Miller does, but not their plasma cutters.

If you want a serious plasma cutter Hypertherm is the only undisputed choice. The only complaint you'll ever hear about them is their price.

Boy Miller will never hear the end of this one. They had an electronic issue 5-7 years ago with a board on there spectrum machine, that was fix and phased out years ago... While I agree Hypertherm is the gold standard. The Miller argument is long dead. ... Go with whatever Model you have dealer support and better pricing for...

 

[Duker]

I don't have any experience with the Miller but I have a PM 65 and it has been stellar. Consumables are easy to find and service has been great. They support a lot of forums i.e. Weldingweb etc as well so you can usually get answers to questions on setup, technique etc in short order.


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[bcradio]

Hypertherm without a doubt. I have a Miller welder but would not get a Miller plasma cutter.

 

[Pipe]

I've got a spectrum 375 and with the 220 plug can do 1/2 if I go slow. I'd like to try a hypotherm when I get a bigger one.

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[BD1]

This was originally why I bought a thermal dynamics cutter, then they outsourced things left and right.

I don't think that is true. You may want to search the WELDINGWEB Hyperthem site. http://weldingweb.com/forumdisplay.php?57-Hypertherm

A member there is Jim Colt who has been with Hypertherm I think almost 40 years. As a matter of fact, the original owner who retired GAVE the employees ALL of his ownership. http://weldingweb.com/showthread.ph...w-owners!&highlight=hypertherm+employee+owner

As for the two, HYPERTHERM is the winner.

 

[dr_clyde]

I don't think that is true. You may want to search the WELDINGWEB Hyperthem site. http://weldingweb.com/forumdisplay.php?57-Hypertherm

A member there is Jim Colt who has been with Hypertherm I think almost 40 years. As a matter of fact, the original owner who retired GAVE the employees ALL of his ownership. http://weldingweb.com/showthread.ph...w-owners!&highlight=hypertherm+employee+owner

As for the two, HYPERTHERM is the winner.

I think Strouty was saying the thermal dynamics outsourced, not Hypertherm.

 

[wrenchMONKEY_]

I've had the 375 Xtreme for a bit now and have been pleased. I got a steal of a deal on it used and only need to replace the torch consumables. As mentioned, it can cut up to 1/2 slowly, but its not ideal. If I had bought new, I'd of gotten the 675 or the Hypertherm 45 as parts and dealer support are abundant in my area for both. I think youd be well served with either, but, HT seems to get the go ahead nod in the Plasma department. Aswell, Jim Colt of HT is very active on most welding forums and that guy knows his stuff about Plasmas and is always happy to help and answer questions.

Clean dry air is a must. I have a secondary filter mounted on my cart just before my plasma.

 

[ovrrdrive]

Boy Miller will never hear the end of this one. They had an electronic issue 5-7 years ago with a board on there spectrum machine, that was fix and phased out years ago... While I agree Hypertherm is the gold standard. The Miller argument is long dead. ... Go with whatever Model you have dealer support and better pricing for...

A reputation is a reputation whether you agree with it or not.

 

[LXCam]

I luv my hypertherm 65, what a great machine.

 

[dnschmidt]

Plasma Cutter = Hypertherm

It's simple math.

 

[Loscaldazar]

I'm a fan of Miller, but for plasma cutting, you have to go for hypertherm. No question in my mind.

 

[Alan H.]

Thanks for all the feedback. I found it helpful. Coupled with this and a bunch of other research, I have decided to buy a Hypertherm.

I will likely buy the PM45 when I decide where to buy one. The local dealer wants too much. It would cost me 20% more to buy local and that is more than I am will to pay vs. ordering it on the web.

 

[ovrrdrive]

I bought a Miller MM180 and my Hypertherm PM65 from these guys. They haven't let me down yet.

http://www.weldersupply.com/

Good choice.

 

[Alan H.]

I bought a Miller MM180 and my Hypertherm PM65 from these guys. They haven't let me down yet.

http://www.weldersupply.com/

Good choice.

Thanks, I had noticed them and called them for some info. I was impressed with their response so I bought my PM45 from them today. Also bought a HT face shield for plasma cutting.

 

[ovrrdrive]

I'm not positive but I'm pretty sure most of the Hypertherms are built to order so I think it took about a week and a half or so to get mine. I emailed for status updates a few times and mentioned them throwing in a hat or something for the delay and he threw in 2 hats for free.

You're going to love it. I'm still blown away with the quality every time I use it.