I have been thinking about getting a plasma cutter for awhile now and just haven't gotten one due to buying other stuff. Anyway I have been watching some you tube video's and for some reason I have been stuck on the Hypertherm 45xp. A little more then I wanted to spend but I think it will be worth it in the end. Not only does it cut but it can mark and gouge. I'm just wondering if they use a different torch or you just change out the consumables? Does anyone know? Also can you tell me what you think about it after you have used it compared to other stuff you have used?
Who has a Hypertherm 45xp?
- Thread starter skipnay
- Start date
Cope
Well-known member
http://weldingweb.com/forumdisplay.php?57-Hypertherm
Welding Web Hypertherm forum. Jim Colt is with Hypertherm, and he is a regular contributor.
Welding Web Hypertherm forum. Jim Colt is with Hypertherm, and he is a regular contributor.
ToddW
Well-known member
I've had 3 or 4 Hypertherm Plasma cutters in the last 10 or so years, they're awesome 
and Jim Colt is a wealth of information!
You cannot go wrong with Hypertherm.
Great support, great product and it jsut works!
I have the version before the XP hand-held, and will be getting the 85 w/machine torch in the future for my table.
and Jim Colt is a wealth of information!You cannot go wrong with Hypertherm.
Great support, great product and it jsut works!
I have the version before the XP hand-held, and will be getting the 85 w/machine torch in the future for my table.
I have a 30, just got it this summer. Every time I use I'm amazed at what it can do. It came with smaller consumables for sht metal, I did some rust repair on a GMC PU door, the cut was perfect and rust repair panel fit with a gap suitable for easy Mig welding. Cutting 1/4 is a piece of cake
I can't wait until I get some more funds free'd up. I will be picking this up and want to be able to mark some stuff. I can't wait to try it out. Wish I knew someone local that has one. I would ask them to try it out. I have plenty of steel here to use!!!
KM223
Well-known member
I have a 30 and a 45. I have my 45XP on order and will comment when I get it. I would not buy from or consider any other company then Hypertherm. They are the best of the best.
Did you get yours yet? How about even try it?
KM223
Well-known member
I got it but I've been traveling. It's packed away, unopened in the box in the shop.
Jbullfrog
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I have had mine for a couple years. Great to have for repair and fan on farm equipment. The tips have a cross slot so you can hold it tight to what you are cutting with no problem. Flip the switch to gouge and shave instead of grinding to shape metal up to 1/2" thick like butter. Flip to expanded and cut mesh with ease too.
KM223
Well-known member
"a couple years"???? It's a new model as of like last month or whatever???? Man you must be a Hypertherm product tester specialist!!
I was just thinking the same thing. I picked mine up yesterday. Though everything being wet today I guess I don't get to try it out....
That ticks me off. I can't wait to try the marking!!!DerekV
Well-known member
I've had mine for a few months - had a regular 45 before it.
Both machines are good, but the new 45XP is absolutely fantastic. Literally everything about it I like better. Dinse ground clamp, digital amp control, auto air regulation, the torch, the consumables, the WIDE power output...it's truly Cadillac.
You will not regret it.
Both machines are good, but the new 45XP is absolutely fantastic. Literally everything about it I like better. Dinse ground clamp, digital amp control, auto air regulation, the torch, the consumables, the WIDE power output...it's truly Cadillac.
You will not regret it.
hoston23
Well-known member
ive got a hypertherm 45, had it for the last 8 years. it gets used and abused, its gone through 2 torch leads, been cleaned out countless times, had about 8 different ground leads, 3 regulators. i love it. best choice. just be sure you buy extra electrodes and tips and such to keep handy. last summer we cut 2 4x8 sheets of 5/8 mild steel in half. cutting about 10 inches per minute. outpreformed the cuttin torch
How much water do you guys have or get in your air compressor? I know that is hard on the consumables. I bought a filter and a cheap air/water separator from harbor freight. Will this be enough or what? I haven't hooked mine up because of this....
DerekV
Well-known member
I wouldn't worry TOO too much about it. HT machines can handle a little moisture, better than most other plasmas (per Jim Colt in the WeldingWeb forums IIRC...there's also a good YouTube video with him and ChuckE2009 on compressors).
Moisture is obviously the enemy for plasma consumables, but over filtration to the point of massive pressure drop won't do you any favors either. It is this reason why I steer clear from cheap/small (i.e. 1/4" in/out) filters. Don't forget, there's a built in filter/moisture trap built in to the back of the machine.
Blast out the condensation from the bottom of your tank quick before you start cutting for the day and you'll be on the right foot.
The amount of moisture that your compressor generates depends on a lot of different things. Expect more moisture if you're running one just big enough (i.e. runs constantly).
I have a 10 micron filter before my regulator and a Motorguard filter off the back of the machine (everything 1/2" in/out). The pre-regulator filter does 99% of the work and Motorguard catches the residuals, if any. My compressor is home brewed - smallish tank w/bigger motor/pump - so it keeps up no problem, but it runs a lot while cutting. I always drain out some moisture from the tank/pre-regulator filter before use, so mine is definitely making some moisture. The verdict? My consumables last a LONG time!
You'll be fine. You have plenty of time to optimize your setup...go cut stuff
Moisture is obviously the enemy for plasma consumables, but over filtration to the point of massive pressure drop won't do you any favors either. It is this reason why I steer clear from cheap/small (i.e. 1/4" in/out) filters. Don't forget, there's a built in filter/moisture trap built in to the back of the machine.
Blast out the condensation from the bottom of your tank quick before you start cutting for the day and you'll be on the right foot.
The amount of moisture that your compressor generates depends on a lot of different things. Expect more moisture if you're running one just big enough (i.e. runs constantly).
I have a 10 micron filter before my regulator and a Motorguard filter off the back of the machine (everything 1/2" in/out). The pre-regulator filter does 99% of the work and Motorguard catches the residuals, if any. My compressor is home brewed - smallish tank w/bigger motor/pump - so it keeps up no problem, but it runs a lot while cutting. I always drain out some moisture from the tank/pre-regulator filter before use, so mine is definitely making some moisture. The verdict? My consumables last a LONG time!
You'll be fine. You have plenty of time to optimize your setup...go cut stuff