You should be ok with everything you have listed with the compressor you own for shorter cuts. I will say the 1/2 and 5/8's cuts are not going to happen, not look pretty at least and be hell on consumables.

The TD is a good machine, it is made in China but don't let that scare you. I think for hand cutting with the dual voltage ability it's a bargain, it does have a 4 year warranty, consumables are plentiful and decent price. Hypertherm makes some great little units also but have personally never used them, might check those out also but are going to be a little more expensive.

 

My Cutmaster 38 cuts 1/4" ok, even though it's rated for more. I recommend investing in a Motor Guard M-30 air filter. $71 or so on amazon.

 

The cutmaster 42 cuts pretty nice on 5/8 MS, slow but nice..7-8 inches per minute.. Setup is everything on the cutmaster 42 for getting consumable life ..(use a standoff of thicker stuff) It will be one of the best machines you can buy for a small air compressor. The 9-0091 drag tips are the best for 120 volt use..They are called 20 amp tips, but really are 20-35 amp tips.. Better match then the 40 amp 9093-94 tips

 

Thanks for the replies so far. I put that Motor Guard filter on my wish list and will probably order the Cutmaster this week. One question, I have a water separator already mounted at the compressor, should I add another one at the other end just before the motor guard filter?

 

Here is a really good discussion worth your time about filtration, etc. written up by Jim Colt a few years ago:

Post #15

http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?298231-Plasma-Cutter-Air-filter&p=2963211#post2963211

Also, for what it's worth, the Motorguard M100 is essentially the same price as the M26/ M30 / M45 / M60. The M100 is just an M60 with two extra filters included in the box.

The differences in the M series (26,30,45,60) are: max CFM flows, NPT inlet / outlet locations, NPT inlet / outlet sizes and wall mount brackets y/n. They all have the same .01 micron filtration and use the same M-723 replacement element.

Best price I see as of now for the M100 kit is $78 shipped.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Motor-Guard...ed-Air-Filter-Kit-M100-New-/391357107702?hash=item5b1eb38df6:g:uy8AAOSwjVVVjLOt

 

Probably fine with the one motor guard..

If you order from Zoro tools in the next couple of days, you can get it for $20.00 cheaper then at Weldersupply. Put in code TREATMEA1ZSD You use to be able to get that cutmaster for right at $700.00 working all the discounts. ($948.39 right now) warranty is the same either way..and it's easy to send back to Zoro if there is damage from shipping. Probably won't be with the case it comes in..

I bought from both places quite a bit..

 

$20 is not a big deal but did you mean to say $200? That's a big deal!

edit: re-read your post now I get it

 

I picked up that exact same filter new for (Thermal dynamics) for $26.25 on ebay..I like them,and have it on my small cutter.. Them, and the even higher end La-Man filter is a excellent e-bay option.

Always use factory Consumables in the torch.. I run the SL-40 torch on my Cutmaster 52 once, and a while.. Look for a used/new SL-60 torch for the cutmaster.It allows for you to use a shielded front end and much longer lasting consumables.. Kind of a versatile machine, in that the torch can be changed around to other models.. In fact the yellow Esab Version has the SL-60 torch from the factory.. plus and minus on those options.. It's just there is you want it..

 

Motor Guard mounted. The power unit is light enough that having it mounted on the back handle doesn't present much of an issue when picking the unit up.

 

Motor Guard mounted. The power unit is light enough that having it mounted on the back handle doesn't present much of an issue when picking the unit up.

The Cutmaster 42 doesn't have the roll cage. It has a molded plastic front and rear panel and a handle/strap on top for transport. No convenient place to mount the MotorGuard.

 

You guys have been a great help since I know barely anything about plasma cutters. Before I order can you advise what consumables etc I should throw in on my order to take advantage of the free shipping? And should I get a standoff, will it come with a tip for that?

Thanks far all the help

 

Get a stand off for sure.. Use the 40 amp 9-0094 tip with it.. (on 240 volts input power) I would buy a set of 9-0094 tips, and a package of 9-0096 electrodes to get you going.. The 9-0093 is a drag 40 amp tip ,but I feel the 9-0094 works best overall.(drag it too) You probably will need nothing else unless you plan on running it on 120 volts. Then the 9-0091 tips work best.. Just clean the start cartridge. plunger tip with a scotchbite pad, and inside the tip where it touches each other. Same with the end of the tip/and electrode. That will get you by for quite a while.. little silicone clear grease for the o-ring in the cup, and start cart...Very little... It will come with a few of each tips..very few though.. Might not come with both 40 amp styles.. Three different tips for that machine..

No sales tax here, so I rarely think of that issue.. (Oregon)

 

OK and thanks again for all the help. I'll have to order next week

 

I have a 52, I'm really happy with it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Uh oh. All ready to pull the trigger on the CM 42 till I started reading about the Hypertherm PM30 which led me to the Hypertherm PM45 which is still in my budget, although the required air is close to the max of my present compressor.

What happened was I told a buddy I was getting the CM 42 and he said he was selling his PM30 with almost identical performance specs as the CM42 with much longer consumable life and Hypertherm name to boot. He wants a bigger machine. So when I did some research I found the PM45 and it looks really great if my compressor can keep up.

So for now I guess I am on the fence.

 

Tomorrow Hypertherm is coming out with a new bad a$$ plasma cutter, you may want to check it out.

 

PM30 with almost identical performance specs as the CM42

Cut 5/8 on 240 power, and you will find that's not even close to true.. Same with a Esab 400..Just walks away on thicker stuff.. Reason for the XP 30.. if you ask me..:laugh:

 

I am not following you...are you saying the XP30 does better than the CM42 on 5/8" even though it is less amps?

 

We have a cutmaster 42 at work. Plugged into 120v, it sucks. Will hardly cut 1/8" material. Plugged into 230v it seems to cut fine. We use it mostly to cut 1/4" thick stainless. I generally use a Cutmaster 152 for everything up to 1" thick when possible.

 

You have the wrong consumables or worn ones in your torch.. It cuts fine with the 9-0091 tip, 120 volt input.. You can put the 42 torch on the 152, and set it to the low setting, and see how it cuts with it.(had the A-120, and did it a lot) Basically the same output as the 42.. In fact I could put the same torch on the 52 turn it to 27 amps and it will sever 1/2 MS. It cuts real clean on .250 ms. very easily.. Something must be wrong, because my 42 never had a issue. setup is more then likely..

 

Brand X I really appreciate your help so far and I hope you will offer your advice concerning the Hypertherm XP 30, which would you choose between the XP 30 and the CM 42?

Also if I go with the Hypertherm PM 45 do you think it is pushing the limits of my compressor too much with it's recommended pressure of 80 PS I@ 6 cfm? My compresser is rated 90 PSI @ 6.4 cfm.

Thanks again and sorry for all the questions. I am ready to order but want to be sure I am choosing the right one.

 

Now you have the 45xp to consider too

 

I saw the news release but haven't seen any for sale yet

 

30 XP is a different deal. If the Cutmaster was cheap enough I would go that way. I am talking when they were close to $700.00. Working the system really well.. Now they are about $950.00 and a XP for $1200.00 It really does favor the XP being that close of $$$, and the years you will keep it.. I think you will get by with your compressor for a while. Remember it will cut way faster then a 30XP or 42, so air really won't be all that much of a issue most the time..

I did set my 52 up at 27 amps and cut some .250 excellent cuts, and what you would expect out of any of them.. (9-0091 tip..)


There is a deal on the Portland Craigslist for a 45.. No torch, but nice deal.. Just get the 45 xp unless you find a close out on a 45.. Still a very nice machine for most people..


http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/tls/5797887589.html

 

OK Thanks, gives me a lot to think about. The XP 30 is my buddy's and I could probably get it for less than the CM if I wanted it, just got to weigh the differences here between the two if I buy small. But if you say my compressor will do the job I probably will go with the 45. Gotta see this new XP45 now!

 

Udate

So it's down to this: My buddy is offering his lightly used XP-30 with consumable kit for $1,000. Lightly used but out of warranty. So I am on the fence between his, a new XP-30, or the Cutmaster. I can't really try his out because he is 2 hours away so really I need to figure in a day on the road for his which is tough right now as busy as I am.

 

Buy a new 30XP...Warranty is value!!!!

 

Or a 45! only a few hundred more! Maybe the old 45 will go on clearance now that the XP-45 is out. Saw it on Welder Supply today for $1,685 and the XP is $1,788.

 

Over $450 more. I do like the torch on the 30 XP better. nicer design.. If you think you are going to cut stuff that is more then 3/8 quite a bit, then get a 45.. Like the cutmaster 52 I just sold. Really does a pretty nice job on .750 for here, and there things.. The 45 will do the same..although I think the cutmaster is a bit better 3/4 machine. Just comparing it to my 65 with 45 amp consumables..Anyway the mid range machine are really a step up from the newer powerful 30 amp machines..

 

If you can swing the $$$ go for the 45XP. Sounds like a hella machine. If you need 120V capability the 30XP is great but I wouldn't pay $1K for one with no warranty.

John

 

I am thinking about that but it does take even more air than the regular 45 and will really push my compressor to the limit. Of course I can always upgrade the compressor.
I certainly don't need 120 volt capability nor do I even need portability.

 

Looking for an entry level Plasma and came across this [Cutmaster 42]...... My needs will be mostly 1/4" and under.....

I go back to this statement in your opening post.

The Cutmaster series is nothing to sneeze at. For sub $1,000 I really think you'll be satisfied with one. If you need to cut those short sections of 1/2"-5/8" and the 42 won't cut the mustard, whoop out the trusty O/A torch. Save the extra dollars and put them towards a larger compressor. Because trust me, whichever machine you end up with, you're going to want more air than your current compressor can supply.

 

I just bought a 30 XP from weldersupply for 1215. Best price I could find online. Only 200ish plus tax more for brand new with warranty