School me on Plasma cutters?

[Woods_Wanderer]

Hi all, I'm in need of a tool for cutting curves and detail work. I've pretty much settled on a plasma over an oxy torch due to cost of gas and the improved precision that plasma seems to offer.

Is Hypertherm really worth the extra $? A lot of people seem to think so but it sure is pricy. I'm also having a hard time telling how big a unit I'd need-I mostly work with 1/4", sometimes 3/8". With access to a plasma I'd likely start doing a lot more sheet metal work for artistic projects as well.

And lastly, what about a compressor? I know I'd need one, but opinions seem to be all over the place regarding how big it needs to be.

 

[ez-duzit]

...Is Hypertherm really worth the extra $?...
what about a compressor? I know I'd need one, but opinions seem to be all over the place regarding how big it needs to be.

Yes.

And get the compressor that is capable of handling the plasma cutter's needs.

 

[metaleltr]

Hypertherm has two unique feature that are %100 percent worth it if you are in a repair setting.

Flushcut- allows the machine to cut parallel to a substrate with about 1/8"- Fantastic for removing seized bolt heads and rivets. This is what lead me to a Powermax 45XP-smallest machine capable of this process.

Hyaccess- Long thin cutting nozzle that allows you to reach deep into tight areas traditionally inaccessible by plasma cutting.

 

[Rinspeed]

I researched it for three weeks before buying a Hypertherm. Very high quality tool and not a single issue in four years.

 

[Iron Beaver]

I have a 5hp compressor. I would call it barely sufficient but I sometimes plasma cut for 15 minutes to half an hour straight with only quick breaks for moving material or changing workpieces. I've never tried anything different but I also like the Hypertherm Powermax 45. Worth every penny I paid for it.

 

[GeoBruin]

I have a 5hp compressor. I would call it barely sufficient but I sometimes plasma cut for 15 minutes to half an hour straight with only quick breaks for moving material or changing workpieces. I've never tried anything different but I also like the Hypertherm Powermax 45. Worth every penny I paid for it.

The powermax 45 xp says it has a requirement of 6cfm at 90 psi. Even if you needed double that, that's 12 cfm. A 5 hp compressor should be making between 15 and 20. To what do you attribute the disparity between the specified air requirements and your observation that you're nearly out of air?

I ask because I've got a 15 cfm compressor and I'm contemplating this machine so I'm worried there's something I'm not accounting for.

 

[Iron Beaver]

My compressor puts out 17CFM, give or take. I'm guessing the discrepancy is due to a few things:

I often end up running my consumables into the ground. Not by intent, just suddenly notice one day that the nozzle ain't what it used to be. Worn consumables will use more air.

Their requirement might be an average assuming some large amount of material repositioning, cut setup, etc. I only feel squeezed for air if I'm plasma cutting flat-out for a long time

I've never run out of air. The air compressor can make more air than the PM45 uses. I don't know how much but it subjectively it "feels" like maybe a 2hp compressor would be the bare minimum for continuous use.

 

[Iron Beaver]

Sorry, PM 45 XP. I keep forgetting the PM45 is a different beast

 

[GeoBruin]

My compressor puts out 17CFM, give or take. I'm guessing the discrepancy is due to a few things:

I often end up running my consumables into the ground. Not by intent, just suddenly notice one day that the nozzle ain't what it used to be. Worn consumables will use more air.

Their requirement might be an average assuming some large amount of material repositioning, cut setup, etc. I only feel squeezed for air if I'm plasma cutting flat-out for a long time

I've never run out of air. The air compressor can make more air than the PM45 uses. I don't know how much but it subjectively it "feels" like maybe a 2hp compressor would be the bare minimum for continuous use.

Thanks!

 

[MongoTA]

If you're looking to do more than just slicing through metal, the Hypertherm is "worth it" in my opinion.

I've used a couple of other less expensive plasmas, and sure, they cut steel. And I was happy to use them. The 45XP just does it better. Consumables last longer. Cleaner cuts can reduce the time cleaning up those cut edges. Metal marking and gouging? You'll end up using all these things...and you'll like them! lol

I power mine with a Quincy QT-54, a 5hp 60G compressor, ~15CFM.

 

[Mr_B]

I got a 60A labelled one with digital display and built in air gauge .
Works good and used it up to 1/2"
got it purely for use at home and easy portability for mobile light jobs.
Was extra cheap as got it via eBay last year when doing a small business discount scheme .

 

[American Locomotive]

Hypertherm ain't cheap, but their machines are definitely top of the line. Hypertherm support is also out of this world, and they support their machines for a LONG time. I would say if you want a machine that will likely last you a lifetime, cut everything you need it to, and never let you down - a 45XP is probably the way to go.

The air requirements of modern plasma cutters aren't too bad, and basically any 2 HP class compressor should be able to keep up.

Hypertherm does make some models with built in compressors, but my local welding store guy said they're really limited compared to the ones without a compressor - even at the same power rating.

My only experience with an integrated compressor plasma cutter is my buddy's little hobart unit - and it's absolutely terrible.

 

[BigMike782]

Powermax 45XP will rock your world!
Know that Hypertherm, like a lot of companies, is having a hard time getting the parts to build their products and unless you find a machine in stock it's going to take about a month to order one.

 

[Bretny]

I have used a Lincoln powercut 80 or something like that. Terrible machine, would blow though consumables like they where free.

I have owned a Miller 375 (pre miltivoltage) for about 17yrs. The biggest thing is to supply dry un oiled air to the machine. That dosnt mean stop putting oil in your boiler or put a $40 air dryer in before the machine. If your line is alreaty oiled you should run a new one and look at the process it takes to really dry air.

 

[malibu101]

....
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Hypertherm does make some models with built in compressors, but my local welding store guy said they're really limited compared to the ones without a compressor - even at the same power rating.

My only experience with an integrated compressor plasma cutter is my buddy's little hobart unit - and it's absolutely terrible.

Yes to the above.
I have a Thermal Dynamics Drag-gun unit for a few years. 120 volt with a built-in compressor.
It cuts sheetmetal (up to like about 16GA) pretty decent, anything over that goes from ugly to impossible real fast.

 

[GeoBruin]

I have used a Lincoln powercut 80 or something like that. Terrible machine, would blow though consumables like they where free.

I have owned a Miller 375 (pre miltivoltage) for about 17yrs. The biggest thing is to supply dry un oiled air to the machine. That dosnt mean stop putting oil in your boiler or put a $40 air dryer in before the machine. If your line is alreaty oiled you should run a new one and look at the process it takes to really dry air.

I just installed this Rockwood filtration setup from eastwood. It's supposedly .01 micron with coellessing filter and a second desiccant stage. I've heard the Motor Guard filters are popular for plasma cutting. Would I need something like that after my setup or would this be sufficient?

 

[Renegade1LI]

I have a couple thermal dynamics cutmaster 152, thing is a beast, we use them mostly for demo & they'll cut up to 2" steel. Has a 60amp drag tip & only uses 7.5cfm at 70psi with a 100% duty cycle, never found a better machine, but they're not cheap. The nice part is we use them where we are prohibited from using oxy/act & no tanks to deal with. We demo a 300hp boiler in two days, cuts through so much steel at once it's amazing. If you are looking for a long term investment, I would either go hypertherm or thermal dynamics, spend the $$ & enjoy a great machine.

 

[Drkuhar]

I have a thermal dynamics cutmaster 42 for home diy use. Its 110 or 220 and works well but seems to go through tips when cutting thicker stuff

 

[VTX1800]

We purchased a Hypermax 30 a few years ago (My wife is a metal sculptor and I play with old cars) and I was really happy with it but....as my wife's skills sets increased she needed a little more cutting power. I went to the local dealer in Council Bluffs IA and asked if they took used plasma cutters in trade. They offered me almost what I had paid for it to trade up to a Hypermax 45, that told me their units hold their value and we are happy with the new unit which we've been using for a couple of years or more.

 

[Jlarson]

All I will buy is Miller or Hypertherm.

 

[sweetk30]

Local welding buddy told me hypertherm as all they do is just plasma cutters . Love my xp45 .

 

[gmcgeo]

If you have the money, go hypertherm

 

[Sweetcorn]

All I will buy is Miller or Hypertherm.

I agree.

I just bought a new plasma cutter last year after spending a ton of time trying to decide between the Hypertherm 45xp and the Miller Spectrum 625 Extreme.

I ended up going with the Spectrum. I've used a Hypertherm quite a bit and have no problems with it, I just preferred the Spectrum for a few reasons. I think either would make anyone happy. And they were literally within a few dollars of each other price wise.

I had a Lincoln years ago and I was never happy with the machine. I'm sure they've improved since then, but I wasn't considering one this time around.

 

[Rinspeed]

We purchased a Hypermax 30 a few years ago (My wife is a metal sculptor and I play with old cars) and I was really happy with it but....as my wife's skills sets increased she needed a little more cutting power. I went to the local dealer in Council Bluffs IA and asked if they took used plasma cutters in trade. They offered me almost what I had paid for it to trade up to a Hypermax 45, that told me their units hold their value and we are happy with the new unit which we've been using for a couple of years or more.

That's some damn good customer service.