110/220 Plasma Cutters

[walkman]

I've found 4 choices in my research so far.

Hypertherm Powermax 30

Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 42

Hobart 500i

Miller 375



- Anyone know of any distinct advantages/features of these machines, or have a recommendation?

[Lanse]

Hypertherms are built like tanks, and Im told that their customer support is second to none.

[specter]

Go with your 1st one on your list "HYPERTHERM" You won't be sorry later on.

Just compare posts on each of the manufacturers here at Welding Web.

[Tool Maker]

Ive been useing a hypertherm 30 for 25 years and the replaceable stuff hasn't gone down a bit. But I can still get all the new cups and electrodes and so on so were still cutting up a storm. Never had a minit of trouble with it Just keep the air dry. Mac

[nadogail]

Based on my experience with Hypertherm's customer support; if and when I ever spennd my own money on a plasma cutter it will be a Hypertherm.

I say this because when I was tasked with trouble shooting and correcting a problem with a Hypertherm (even though I had never before seen a plasma cutter) they held my hand over the phone untill I was hailed as a hero and regarded by my employer as a genius.

[jbmprods]

i have had great luck with both my Hypertherm and TD. both are top quality machines. i am hesitant to say one is better than the other but i will give the Hyperthern a slight edge on cut quality.

[jimcolt]

I may be considered a bit biased on this discussion as I have worked for Hypertherm for almost 34 years....but here are a few things to consider:

- Hypertherm Powermax30 will operate on 120 or 240 volts....and automatically selects the proper voltage when plugged in. It has a very nice torch design that can be used for drag cutting and template cutting....and provides incredible consumable life. It is designed, engineered and assembled in Hanover NH by employee owners of Hypertherm....and is one of the largest selling plasma systems in the world. The biggest seller is its big brother, the Powermax45. Hypertherm recently added another shift, as well as many newly hired production workers to keep up with demand. Unit comes with some plug and play power cords for 120 and 240 volt operation.

- Cutmaster42 is imported from China. It uses one of T-D's torches that is produced in Mexico. There was just a corporate announcement from Thermadyne that their assembly operation in W. Lebanon, NH was moving jobs to a Mexican assembly plant as well as transferring a few to a Texas location...there will be 100 layoffs at this facility. I understand the Cutmaster42 cuts fairly well, however it has a rather low duty cycle at it's full output power setting, and I have heard reports of low consumable parts life especially when drag cutting.

- The Miller 375 uses an older style Hypertherm torch (same as used on the discontinued Powermax380)...a good torch. If you look on Millers website and compare output current, output killowatts and duty cycle...you will see that the Powermax30 has some distinct advantages. The Miller is often slightly higher priced as compared to the Powermax30.

- The Hobart 500i uses an Italian torch produced by Trafimet. Consumable life is good, but not comparable to the Hypertherm especially when drag cutting. This unit has similar duty cycle and power output as compared to the Miller.

Pics are of a severance cut on 5/8" with a Powermax30 (factory rated at 1/2" severance, recommended use for 1/4" and thinner) as well as the torch (well used in my home shop!) and a freehand cut on 1/4".

Jim

[walkman]

Jimcolt: Thanks for the feedback and pictures. A few more questions for you. The Hypertherm products are sold at my local AirGas location and Made in USA is a plus, but I want to make sure I understand how the specs compare.


The Cutmaster 42 is listed as 40 amps at 230V whereas the Powermax 30 is listed at 30 amps -- is this mainly marketing language or does one really have more power at 230? (Cut 42 is listed as 3.8 Kw, but I could find the output power spec for the Power 30)

From what I could find the Powermax 30 needs 4.0 CFM of air & Cut 42 needs 3.2.

The Cut 42 has a removable torch cord and the Powermax 30 has a fixed attached cord.

Any other specs that differentiate these two products?

[jimcolt]

The Cutmaster 42 is able to produce 27 amps when operated on 120 volts, and 40 amps when operated on 240 volts.

The Powermax30 produces 30 amps at both 120 volts and 240 volt operation....with a duty cycle rating of 50% at 240 volts input and 35% at 120 volt input (the power supply has to work harder when lower input line power is used. The Powermax30 is rated to produce 2.5 kW of power...the highest rated 120 volt plasma system available...and this rating is at its full rated duty cycle. You can remove the torch cord on on the Powermax30, but it is not a quick disconnect like the larger Hypertherm Powermax45, 65 and 85 systems. The Hypertherm also comes with powercord adapthers to allow you to plug into a variety of outlet styles. The air flow ratings that you list are probably correct.


My suggestion.....try both systems out! Put the torch in your hand and cut a variety of thicknesses......drag cut, pierce and cut the thickest you can! I used them both side by side....and even though I am a bit biased....the 30 blew the doors off the 42 at 120 volt input....and seemed pretty equal at 240 volt input. The powermax30 is smaller and lighter as well. The made in USA thing is a bonus...however performance should help you decide.


Jim Colt

Originally Posted by walkman

Jimcolt: Thanks for the feedback and pictures. A few more questions for you. The Hypertherm products are sold at my local AirGas location and Made in USA is a plus, but I want to make sure I understand how the specs compare.


The Cutmaster 42 is listed as 40 amps at 230V whereas the Powermax 30 is listed at 30 amps -- is this mainly marketing language or does one really have more power at 230? (Cut 42 is listed as 3.8 Kw, but I could find the output power spec for the Power 30)

From what I could find the Powermax 30 needs 4.0 CFM of air & Cut 42 needs 3.2.

The Cut 42 has a removable torch cord and the Powermax 30 has a fixed attached cord.

Any other specs that differentiate these two products?

[Setzer]

We had Hypertherms where I used to work and I cannot say they were treated well. None ever gave up, we always got the job done. Even after throwing them into the box truck and kicking them around.

[Stick-man]

And as Lanse and nadogail said, Hypertherms customer service is top notch. And as an extra bonus, jimcolt makes himself ALWAYS available on the Welding Web, for any questions you may have! Thanks again to jimcolt!

[dstevens]

My Powermax 30 rocks, excellent tool. Excellent consumable life, cuts very well, robust construction,excellent technical support.

[walkman]

Jimcolt: The P30 product descriptions highlight the new patented T30v torch -- when was that torch first introduced?

[jimcolt]

The T30 torch was introduced when the Powermax30 was introduced....about 4 or so years ago. It was developed to work specifically with the Powermax30 power supply characteristics. I have larger hand torches in my shop (Powermax45 and Powermax85, as well as Powermax1000)....but my favorite is the Powermax30....the torch is very compact, fits in tight spots....and the whole system is portable. It is definitely my cutoff tool of choice when cutting structural tube (up to 1/4" wall...I use a lot of it) to length.....my horizontal band saw now collects dust!

The 30 is especially usefull for restoring or working on old cars.....because the torch is compact it is very easy to burn off rusted bolts, exhaust parts, rusty floorboards, etc. The consumable life with this system is absolutely phenomenal.....I honestly use maybe two nozzles a year!

Jim

Originally Posted by walkman

Jimcolt: The P30 product descriptions highlight the new patented T30v torch -- when was that torch first introduced?

[Honda welding rig]

I know it ant one of your chooses but I like my hobort 250i with a built in compressor it is grate for portability you don't have to drag your air compressor around the only down side is you can only cut up to 1/4 in

[walkman]

Thanks for all the replies. Based on the detailed information from Jim and the universal praise from owners, I've ordered a Powermax30 - even though it wasn't the cheapest option. Knowing that it is an American made product from a company that isn't likely to ship jobs out of the country for tax loopholes or to avoid employee benefits was the deciding factor. I could make that decision because the Powermax30 also has the reputation of a well made machine.

American made isn't enough -- American made with performance and quality is the ticket.

[jimcolt]

Thanks fom the employee owners of Hypertherm for buying one of our plasma systems.......we will work hard to ensure you won't regret your purchase!

Jim

[morgaj1]

Originally Posted by jimcolt

Thanks fom the employee owners of Hypertherm for buying one of our plasma systems.......we will work hard to ensure you won't regret your purchase!

Jim

If I would have done a little more research before I bought my plasma cutter, I would have saved a little longer and bought the Hypertherm 30

[Oldtimer]

Oldtimer's kid here. I have a Lincoln Pro-cut 55 and if it ever dies I will probably go with a Hypertherm. Lower cost of consumables, and their monster machines I've worked with have been fantastic. No manufacturer problems, just with the idiots running them, lol.

[tortis]

Walkman If I may hijack your thread, and congrats on your new plasma cutter.

jimcolt,

I am at the point I need to buy a plasma cutter.

I cut a lot of plate, 1/4-3/8'' mild steel and some aluminum plate in the same thickness. I cut quite a bit of 1/8'' thick tube as well. Would the 45 be the machine to buy? I like the fact that it can be used for mechanized cutting, not that I do any, but might one day.

Thanks, Robert,

[jimcolt]

You would be happy with the 45 in the range you list. The Powermax30 could do it...but the thicker materials would be rather slow....and the 30 is not recommended for mechanized cutting (although there are many users that have adapted it). The 45 has a lot of reserve power as well....I use mine for mechanized piercing to 1/2" (have done 5/8" on occasion) and edge start cutting to 3/4" and 1"....although it is rather slow at these thicknesses.


Jim

[tortis]

Thanks for the info Jim.

[Swamp rat]

tortis - you will be impressed with the capacities of the 45 , have used mine for a lot of 3/4 and some 1", it purforms well. The consumables last for ever and if you do any gouging - you will not want to ever us a torch agian. Great machine !

[tortis]

Thanks Swamp rat. I am getting the 45 for sure, within the next couple of weeks if not sooner. I wish picking out a tubing bender was as easy.

Thanks, T.

[Welding_Swede]

Thanks for posting this thread walkman.

Since we're all asking jimcolt questions I'll throw mine in.

How's the Powermax 45 with gouging? I'm shopping for a machine right now and my main question is the gouging consumable line for this unit. Are there gouging consumable kits and protective covers for the torch/leads available specifically for the Powermax 45?

Thanks for the reply.

E