Identify machine

[Sheryle]

Hello Hypertherm experts.

I would like to have a plasma cutter for my home shop. I am trying to get in as cheaply as possible but not buy junk... just like the rest of the world. Most of my work would be on a couple of old farm tractors and implements. I may even build a trailer or similiar..
Would someone please identify the attached advertised machine and tell me what they know or have heard about this model? Thanks in advance.


http://http://raleigh.craigslist.org/tls/3026844645.html

[Sheryle]

Well the ad from Craigslist did not appear..

The url address is http://raleigh.craigslist.org/tls/3026844645.html.

I will try to get the picture posted.

[jimcolt]

The machine is a Hypertherm Max40. It is a 40 amp, high frequency start plasma cutter. This is the first hand held air plasma ever produced by Hypertherm...it was introduced to the market in 1986...and was manufactured until about 1989 or so. It was available in a variety of voltages...from single phase 208 through 575 volts. Most were 230 volt single phase.

By todays standards it has similar cutting power as compared to the Powermax 30....which sells new for about $1200 (online prices vary from this suggested price). The Max40 does a decent job up through 1/4" and 3/8"....on a good day it can sever 1/2". replacement torches and consumables are available....but most of the internal components (PC boards, etc.) are no longer available. Consumable life (older technology is much shorter than with the newer Hypertherm powermax systems....likely is comparable with low cost import plasma systems....many of which use copies of the Max40 torch.

The Max40 in good working condition is probably worth about $500 or so.

Jim Colt Hypertherm

[Sheryle]

Thanks for the information. That is exactly what I needed and confirms my suspicions.

You must really enjoy your work. I see post by you answering questions everywhere. I know that by itself consumes a lot of time, plus your other duties.:drinkup::waving:

I am beginning to believe that a new "lower rated" machine rather than older "higher rated" machine is the way to go. Oh and I believe that machine needs to be a Hypertherm.

Thanks again

[specter]

Jim is right about that unit. Your smarter move would be to buy something like the Powermax 30 or better yet the PowerMax 45. I have a shop that repairs farm and construction equipment as well as RV and truck repairs. I have owned my Powermax 45 for over 3 years! I bought it when the 45 first came out and did some testing of it here on Welding Web. Outstanding performer and the consumables outlast the competition with 2 times the life cycle.

[galencwi]

Schnikes!!!! Im having early 90's flashbacks from working at P&A Metal Fab!!
That should be in a metal workers museum :angel: It's days have come and gone!

They bought a new Hypertherm back in 94 that was even bigger than that unit but looks almost the same. They only let me use it when it was new. i used it for cutting diamond plate for Warn industries. Wrap around fenders for jeep wranglers and Willies.
If I remember correctly i went thru a lot of consumables with it.
Thank god technology has gotten so much better.
if you can get some decent $ out of it I would take it.

Vigor marine bought some for us last year. We use it on anything less than 5/16". That lil machine cuts better faster and thicker metals up to 1/2". And only weighs less than 40 lbs. Love it!

[soutthpaw]

Jim is a good guy and very knowledgeable. Stick with a good brand name, new or used. I love my ESAB 875.. of which there are many used ones around. I get consumables via Ebay and they work fine and are cheap. you will go through a several tips pretty quick till you get the hang of using it. Do read through some of the plasma threads here. esp the ones against buying a chicom plasma. they need about 2x the amperage to do the same cut at the same speed as a good brand one. IE a powermax 30 will cut the same thickness and speed a s a 60 amp chicom. Ok it will cut much more as the chicom will die after a couple minutes of cutting if its not DOA. ok well you get the idea anyway. Unless you decide you need to cut thicker material the PM 30 will be the last Plasma you will need to buy..