Pick a plasma cutter

[zekeymonkey]

Well, since I'm finally getting a garage of my own, I'm going to buy a plasma cutter. My main use will be for cutting body panels. But, I'm sure it'll cut some 1/8" or 1/4" stuff latter. Also, this is for personal hobby use.

My budget is between $500 and $1300 dollars. Obviously spending less means I can by other toys. But, I don't want to have to replace it next year.

Given my needs and budget, what would you buy?

 

[BMB]

Hypertherm PM30, PM45 if you can swing it.

 

[kts]

Hypertherm PM30, PM45 if you can swing it.

+1 Love my PM30 and I've used it for all of the items you have listed as things you think you'll use it on, worked great.

 

[Rogue1987]

I have a cutmaster 42, and every time I look at it I wish I had a hypertherm.

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[Kenskip1]

How about Longevity? Several videos on the tube that are most impressive. Ken

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Longevit...er-with-Pilot-Arc-Technology-880077/205219106

 

[bczygan]

You missed the Chinese group buy for $250.

 

[Finky198]

I would stick with miller or hypertherm Both excellent machines that will last, cut anything and hold there value as well

You also need quite a bit air (cfm) and it must be clean as well to properly run any decent plasma cutter

You also need to decide if you need a 110v or 220v machine

I forgot to mention I have a miller 625 extreme

 

[Jeeper]

I recently just bought a used Miller Extreme 625. It's bigger than the 375 and the smaller hypertherm machine yet still can do 110v or 220v. Cuts nice so far but I am far from an expert.

 

[Mccool]

+1 Love my PM30 and I've used it for all of the items you have listed as things you think you'll use it on, worked great.

+2 can't beat a hypertherm.

 

[zekeymonkey]

Any thoughts on a Licoln Tomahawk 375?

I like the idea of Hypertherm machines. But the best price I've found on a PM45 is around $1800.

 

[Finky198]

You are paying a premium because your getting the one of the best machines on the market

In my opinion there are two type of plasma cutter there brand XYZ and then there's miller and hypertherm which are the snap on's of the plasma cutting world and a serious upgrade

Worst case senecio you could sell a higher quality machine as they hold there value extremely well

For what you originally stated as cutting 1/8 to 1/4. I really don't see you need that big of a machine look at the miller 325 extreme or hypertherm pm30 xp. I think that one of these would really suit your cutting needs and your wallet

 

[stihlntime]

Hobart 700 I made by miller max cut 7/8. Clean cut 5/8. Mine has been excellent.The 500 I is probably closer to your needs and budget.

 

[PartsGuy27]

I used to repair welders and plasma cutters.

Hypertherm is #1 by far. Superior design over the Miller.

That is the only time I will talk bad about a Miller product.

-Brian

 

[PartsGuy27]

My last piece of advice would be to make sure the air feeding that plasma cutter is absolutely as dry as possible. A lot of moisture in the unit is the #1 way to destroy these machines.

Some of the new Hyperthem units use an electronic regulator for the air pressure which will be IMMEDIATELY destroyed if contaminated with water. Hypertherm has made it very clear that they will not warranty the regulators if they fail due to water in the lines.

If you have any more questions, feel free to shoot me a PM as to not clutter this thread.

-Brian

 

[CGT80]

I have the Miller 375 extreme. It doesn't need a huge amount of air and will run on my porter cable 4.5 gallon compressor, but it does need very dry air and it runs much better when it has plenty of power. 120v is convenient but thicker material will require 208+v service. They hypertherm seems to be popular for CNC plasma machines (they have an interface for the computer) and I am building one with my dad....................a bigger hypertherm may be in our future. For now, I have a kit to allow the computer to monitor and activate the Miller plasma.

 

[HMCFab9]

I bought a Thermal Dynamics several years ago & I'm happy with it.
At that time I was told to stay away from Miller P.C's. (& I'm a guy who will promote miller almost every other time)
That may have changed by now though.

 

[Finky198]

They did have issues a few years back I think it was just **** luck as most were fine and some would fail I have used 2 a miller 375 and my 625 from around the time that was happening and neither had any issues. I think there current line up has solved these issues Maybe Partsguy27 can Expand on this

 

[BD1]

+2 can't beat a hypertherm.

Buy this once, money well spent. BEST OUT THERE !

 

[morgaj1]

I've had an Everlast plasma cutter and now have a Hypertherm. Without a doubt, the Hypertherm is a much superior machine. Cleaner cuts, the consumables last much longer and Hypertherm will stand behind their product. And, as said earlier, the Hypertherm machines have great resale values.

 

[PartsGuy27]

They did have issues a few years back I think it was just **** luck as most were fine and some would fail I have used 2 a miller 375 and my 625 from around the time that was happening and neither had any issues. I think there current line up has solved these issues Maybe Partsguy27 can Expand on this

I can only speak from my personal experience from when I used to repair these machines back around 2011. At that time, the Miller units, were prone to failure due to the IGBT's getting too hot and causing damage. I also believe they had control board issues but don't quote me on that.

I'm sure the new Miller units are just fine as Miller is a company that really seems to address its shortcomings and take care of the issues in the following models.

I just talked my buddy into buying an older Hypertherm Powermax 1000 (way overkill for what he needed) but the deal was too good to pass up. Keep your eyes open, you never know what you might stumble upon.

 

[zekeymonkey]

Well, I'll buy a Hypertherm.

The comments on moisture have made me wonder if I should wait until after I get an air dryer.

 

[PartsGuy27]

Well, I'll buy a Hypertherm.

The comments on moisture have made me wonder if I should wait until after I get an air dryer.

Do not run that plasma until you get a good quality dryer (read: not Harbor Freight)

 

[383 240z]

I've got a Hyperthem 380. LOVE IT. It was used on a CNC plasma table for a few years before he upgraded. So figure production shop running 3-4 hours a day for 2 years, and still works perfect. I just run a regular air drier on the main line, Sharpe 606, and a cheap disposable right at the machine. Good call on the Hypertherm, you wont regret it. Keith

 

[zekeymonkey]

Any other recommendations on a quality air dryer?

 

[morgaj1]

Any other recommendations on a quality air dryer?

This is what I use and recommend:

https://www.weldersupply.com/P/499/MotorGuardM26PlasmaAirF

 

[dodge610]

I have been out of the business for quite a while but thermal dynamics use to make a decent plasma cutter. If they are even around anymore.

 

[1badbird]

I have a thermal dynamics cutmaster 51 which is their older model and can't complain.

 

[chrispyny]

I'm surprised this thread went so long with only one mention of thermal dynamics. They are a US company right out of California. I was under the assumption that thermal dynamics, hypertherm, and miller were all on the same plain with eachother..

Am i wrong ?

Edited to correct plant location of thermal dynamics

 

[GophersGarage]

I have hypertherm 45 I like it a lot. don't use it full time just for projects but really nice.
I bought because made in usa

 

[Rogue1987]

I've got a thermal dynamics cutmaster 42 I purchased a year ago. It's been completely replaced under warranty once. So... Other than that it works great. Here's hoping I don't need to use the warranty again any time soon. In retrospect I probably would have bought a hypertherm.

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[RedneckWelder]

Hypertherm is the standard for plasma cutters...

 

[Pooch897]

I have a Thermal Dynamics cut master 152. It runs 8 hours a day 5-6 days a week cutting sst up to 2" thick. It replaced a 151 that did it the same job for 5 years.


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[My Old Tools]

Which one has the cheapest expendables, or at least reasonable?

 

[hoston23]

I have a hyperthrm 45. we cut 5/8s with it last summer with a single tip. a hole 4x8' sheet in half

 

[padroo]

Whatever you buy make sure you can get the consumable parts locally.

 

[alpinewhite]

Other than weight and portability, what's the difference between the Miller 375 and 375 Xtreme?

 

[zkling]

IIRC the non extreme is a transformer based model where as the extreme is a inverter based machine.

 

[alpinewhite]

IIRC the non extreme is a transformer based model where as the extreme is a inverter based machine.

Is one type more desirable/reliable than the other?

 

[zkling]

Is one type more desirable/reliable than the other?

Not sure if those are mutually exclusive. Older tech vs new tech. As much of a Miller fan I am, they wouldn't be my first choice in a plasma unit.

 

[motofool33]

hypertherm first
thermal dynamics second

on the chinese note i have a longevity although it cuts well support if you have specific issues is slim. for instance mine was cutting out on me, turned out to be not enough voltage but it took a forum to tell me that not the manufacture.

and consumables are harder to find and a bit higher price.

but it does have a cnc port which i plan to use.