PowerMax 45, return it?

[BAC]

Greetings,

After doing alot of research, I had decided that the Hypertherm PowerMax 45 would be the ideal plasma cutter for my needs. I called around and got a good deal from a well known dealer in my area, and after talking to a couple guys there, decided to purchase from them.

I took it home Friday, but did not have time all weekend to do anything with it. I went to open it Sunday night... it was then that I noticed the shipping label was dated 7/16/08!
The dealer has had it sitting around since then, and sold it to me.

Question, does anyone know if there are any differences between the 08' models and the newer powermax 45's?

Somehow, I keep feeling like I bought a used piece of equipment for "new" price...

[LarryO]

I'm sure Jim will post back to this.

Personally, i don't think there would be a difference. Its essentially the same machine til they call it something else.
It would take same consumables as a 09/10 model and its still a 45 amp machine with the same torch
Your warranty would not start until the date of purchase.

Just my 2 cents worth

[BAC]

I'm sure Jim will post back to this.

Personally, i don't think there would be a difference. Its essentially the same machine til they call it something else.
It would take same consumables as a 09/10 model and its still a 45 amp machine with the same torch
Your warranty would not start until the date of purchase.

Just my 2 cents worth

I didnt think there would be any differences, thats why I checked my manual against a newer one and they had the same dates and revision numbers. Knowing the warranty starts at purchase is good to know. ( I couldnt call hypertherm yesterday due to work, or I would have called one of their techs)

I have several projects this machine will save me a lot of time and whole lot of labor!

[LarryO]

I didnt think there would be any differences, thats why I checked my manual against a newer one and they had the same dates and revision numbers. Knowing the warranty starts at purchase is good to know. ( I couldnt call hypertherm yesterday due to work, or I would have called one of their techs)

I have several projects this machine will save me a lot of time and whole lot of labor!

Jim Colt works for Hypertherm and frequents this board. Im sure he will post back and his advice will be no BS.

[DSW]

Jim Colt works for Hypertherm and frequents this board. Im sure he will post back and his advice will be no BS.

X2


The guy probably gave you a good deal to help move the stock. I was in the LWS yesterday and the counter guy had a real nice Speedglas hood he offered me for $175. The previous counter guy, who left last spring, had brought it in and it sat on the shelf. They've changed the inventory around a bit, and with the economy the way it is, that $300+ hood just isn't moving sitting next to less expensive hoods. They had a whole table of misc items that they were clearing out to simplify their stock.

.

[jimcolt]

Some dealers...especially the large multiple location dealers...purchase plasma systems and welding systems in relatively large quantity...and then distribute from a centralized warehouse. It is possible that is the case here. There have been no changes to the units.....and the warranty coverage starts when you purchase the unit. If you want to return it....send me a PM with serial number and dealer name and location and I'll see if I can arrange it.

Jim

[BAC]

To be honest, I really dont want to return it, but if I had known ahead of time I would have tried to get a discount... or maybe extra consumables or something. The price I paid for it was for any PMX45 that they had, not just this one.

I appreciate the help everyone, thank you.

[jimcolt]

Actually list price is around $2400.......I thought you said you got a good deal on it....so I assumed you may have paid less than list price. Let me know if there is anything I can do.....we don't like upset customers...for any reason.

Jim

[BAC]

Jim,

I definately paid less than list, and I am not upset... I might have been a little worried, but you answered my question, so all is well...

Now, if I can only find a compressor so I can get this lightsaber to unzip some metal!

Thanks, one and all...

BAC

[specter]

BAC have you tried looking for a used compressor on craigslist? Then there is also Harbor Freight where if you can get one of those 20% off coupons you can pick up a compressor cheap.

When your get your light saber working be sure to take some pictures.:D

[A_DAB_will_do]

Make sure you buy a compressor with enough air capacity. The manuals for the plasmas I've seen talk about 4-5 CFM. I would look at compressors with 8-10 CFM for better performance.

[BAC]

BAC have you tried looking for a used compressor on craigslist? Then there is also Harbor Freight where if you can get one of those 20% off coupons you can pick up a compressor cheap.

When your get your light saber working be sure to take some pictures.:D

Specter,

I had a lead on a good used Quincy from one of their mechanics, but the guy wanted NEW price for it. A week or so ago i did just that, 20% coupon at HF for the 12.5 cf compressor, not what I wanted but will do for now.

When I got the compressor home, I decided do a little rewiring for it and the hypertherm. Couple hundred feet of conduit, a new breaker panel and breakers, AND then I find out when I start to install the new panel that the existing service feed is only 50 amps. So I dug 120 foot trench(rented a trencher) laid 2 inch conduit and got half of it covered when it came a down poor. I had to redig 70 foot by hand with post hole diggers covered the last 70 feet to then find out that my helper for the day didnt glue one of the 90's...

I finally got the main service conduit buried and ready to pull wire today. The old #8 wire will be pulled and used to feed the Plasma, welder and compressor/intercooler. The old pipe was left in place to run phone and data. Hopefully, I will be finished building the intercooler, and have all the wire ran by this weekend so I can finally get my smoker finished!

Having new tools you cant use is like Kelly Lebrock from Weird Science jumping in your bed butt naked and saying..."you can look, but don't touch cowboy"! :confused:

[specter]

Quincy's go for big bucks even used. When someone gets rid of a Quincy its usually trashed beyond repair.

I have some fellow farmers that have been using the same HF compressor for years. Biggest thing with them is draining the tank and changing the compressor oil.

HF does sell an auto drain setup for their tanks. If you can't find it in store you can order it or buy one at northern tool, tractor supply, sears, and I think home depot and Lowe's also have them.

Those compressors also should have an air take filter. Be sure to occasionally check it to be sure its not blocked.

Also consider buying an additional air/oil.water filter separator to ensure that the plasma cutter gets clean DRY air. Moisture in your air line to the plasma cutter will shorten the life of your consumables.

[BAC]

I was told the the Quincys were going for 400-500 each from the tech that knew the guy selling them... oh well.

Yea, I will definately try to get the air as dry as possible. I will be running the air from the pump to a compressed air cooler, then to tank / water-oil seperator / dessicant dryer / then to a motorcraft filter just before plasma. I want all my shop air as dry as possible.