Cougar
Well-known member
Looking to get a plasma cutter. Want at least 3/4" cutting capacity, 220v 1ph.
What are some recommendations.
Thanks
What are some recommendations.
Thanks
Plasma Cutter
- Thread starter Cougar
- Start date
Duker
Well-known member
f150skidoo
Well-known member
Don't buy anything but a Hypertherm, I originally bought a 50 amp Chinese plasma and had it for a year before I got fed up with the awful consumable life and sold it. I ended up buying a Miller Spectrum which I really like but I've used other peoples Hypertherm's and there just a bit better then my Miller, If I buy another plasma it will be a Hypertherm.
Cave Creek Ray
Well-known member
x3 on the Hypertherm.
I bought the 30XP for light stuff and am impressed with its capabilities. Its so nice being able to plug it into 120v or 240v, whatever is handy. It really cranks on 240v. The bigger ones should meet your needs.
I bought the 30XP for light stuff and am impressed with its capabilities. Its so nice being able to plug it into 120v or 240v, whatever is handy. It really cranks on 240v. The bigger ones should meet your needs.
Thanks for the info.
I see five models for the 65, 083270, 083271, 083273 and 083275 083276. Looks like the last two are for use on a CNC table. What's the difference between the other three. Cable length? And one has the Eliminizer filter and cover. What's that.
Hypertherms aren't voltage sensing are they.
I see five models for the 65, 083270, 083271, 083273 and 083275 083276. Looks like the last two are for use on a CNC table. What's the difference between the other three. Cable length? And one has the Eliminizer filter and cover. What's that.
Hypertherms aren't voltage sensing are they.
f150skidoo
Well-known member
When I bought my first plasma I Thought I would maybe use it a few times a year also. But I ended up using it a few times a week once you realize how handy they are. If I were you I would plan on spending several hundred more look into picking up a used American plasma. The main reason to get a USA plasma it the consumable life is much better. MY Millers consumables last 10x longer then my old Everlast, with the price of electrodes and nozzles they ad up quickly when you go threw them a lot. The imports all have to use standoffs so the nozzle doesn't arc off the material, were most USA plasma have drag technology so you can put the tip right on the material. Keep an eye out on the classified's for Hypertherm, Thermal Dynamics, Miller, Hobart, or Lincoln plasma's.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
Hypertherm. END OF STORY.
ovrrdrive
Well-known member
You'll want at least a Hypertherm PM65 if you need to cut 3/4". If you cut a lot of it you might consider going to an 85 or bigger to improve cut speeds. I believe the PM65 cuts 3/4" at around 13ipm. I wouldn't bother with anything but Hypertherm in your application for sure. Nothing else is even in the same league.
BD1
Well-known member
Ordered the 85.
Probably a little more than I need, but more is better than less.
Thanks for all the good info.
DARN !!! I never had a chance to say , '' Hypertherm '' .
IF you need some additional info or have questions ,go to WELDINGWEB.
A member JIM COLT is the Hypertherm rep their and has been with the company 40 plus years.
http://weldingweb.com/
damnesia
Well-known member
I see on the GJ that everyone loves Hypotherms. I don't know anyone who has one around me but I wish I did so I could see what all the hype is about. Most of the guys I know, who use PC to make a living with use Thermal Dynamics, which is also what I have. I've had zeros issues with mine( I am not a professional fabricator ), and my buddies love them. Is the consensus that Hypotherms are better? My friends bought they've used Victor products for many years, and I got one because it's what everyone I knew was using. Any stories of personal experience between the two?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Cope
Well-known member
Certainly there are other good plasma cutters, but Hypertherm is the king of the road. For one thing, they make plasma cutters, period.I've never heard of anyone wishing they had bought something else after buying Hypertherm.
bcradio
Well-known member
They are definitely better, but Thermal Dynamics are still great machines as well.
damnesia
Well-known member
The only reason I got the TD is because I got a great deal on it from a friend ( he used it once for a project and it wasn't powerful enough for him in the long term ). From what I see online the main reasons people say HT, in order from what I've read, are:
1. Customer support.
2. Everything, including the gun, is made in USA
3. HT go through consumables at a much slower rate.
but customer support seems to be the main reason people suggest. I know the HT are obviously good machines, and as I said I have a TD because I paid very little for an almost brand new machine and I'm not trying to argue or say one is better than the other. Almost every conversation comparing the two seem to involve a lot of talk about customer support. It makes me wonder why so many people call HT for customer support. Personally, I only call companies for support if something isn't working correctly and I can't fix it myself.
Again, I'm not trying to argue that either TD or HT is better than the other. If the HT goes through consumables at a slower rate ( not sure how one would provide empirical data on this ) that would make it better machine in my book. I had no idea consumables would be as expensive as they are...
1. Customer support.
2. Everything, including the gun, is made in USA
3. HT go through consumables at a much slower rate.
but customer support seems to be the main reason people suggest. I know the HT are obviously good machines, and as I said I have a TD because I paid very little for an almost brand new machine and I'm not trying to argue or say one is better than the other. Almost every conversation comparing the two seem to involve a lot of talk about customer support. It makes me wonder why so many people call HT for customer support. Personally, I only call companies for support if something isn't working correctly and I can't fix it myself.
Again, I'm not trying to argue that either TD or HT is better than the other. If the HT goes through consumables at a slower rate ( not sure how one would provide empirical data on this ) that would make it better machine in my book. I had no idea consumables would be as expensive as they are...
ToddW
Well-known member
Hypertherm here too.
Started with a 600, got a 1250 and then when I sold my old CNC Table I got a PowerMax 45... much much easier to lug around
When I get another CNC Table it's going to have an 85 on it too!
You will love it!
Be sure you have a compressor and CLEAN DRY air!!
You should really use an air dryer.
Started with a 600, got a 1250 and then when I sold my old CNC Table I got a PowerMax 45... much much easier to lug around
When I get another CNC Table it's going to have an 85 on it too!
You will love it!
Be sure you have a compressor and CLEAN DRY air!!
You should really use an air dryer.
rmack898
Well-known member
Cope
Well-known member
Customer support is more than help with repair issues, it's everything from questions before the purchase to other questions after the sale.
You have a great machine, no need to worry.
I appreciate the feedback and looks like the OP bought a Hypertherm so your advice was well received but in my case I know I won't use it that much. I've had a welder since the early 2000s, first a 220v Miller 225 and then downgraded to a Hobart 140 due to 110v portability. While I've used it quite a bit but still no more than once a year for 7 or 8 projects. The biggest project was building bumpers for my 4x4, I did all the cutting with an angle grinder, chop saw or my bandsaw. A plasma would've been great but at that time the cheaper options didn't exist. Now for $300 I can get the same cut as a hypertherm and save $400 which will buy plenty of consumables. Or I might wait a little longer until Hypertherm is forced to lower their prices since there is plenty of competition out there now. Just like most other technology the cost is bound to go down and quality better.
damnesia
Well-known member
No, he replaced it with a bigger TD ( I'm not sure which model it is ). I bought first TD for 400$ with an air dryer. I couldn't really pass that one up
ovrrdrive
Well-known member
Ordered the 85.
Probably a little more than I need, but more is better than less.
Thanks for all the good info.
A man of action... You gotta respect that. lol
The 85 is a beast. You're going to love it.
Just out of curiosity, what are you doing with it?
ovrrdrive
Well-known member
It will be perfect for that. You're going to love it. When you take it out of the box it just screams quality. I had a cheaper plasma before I bought my PM65 and the difference is astonishing. Be sure to post back after you get it with your impressions after using it.