Yet another Plasma Comparison

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 10:05:43 GMT

go to see Welding Machine for Yet another Plasma Comparison

I am in the market for a plasma cutter.  A little background first - I am burning metal only as a hobby in my garage which has 100amp power panel and (for now) a small sir compressor capable of 5.5 cfm at 90PSI.  The cutters I am interested in are:- Miller Spectrum 375 Cutmate- Hypertherm Powermax 30xp- Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 42 True seriesSome thoughts:- They are all about the same price except for the Cutmaster 42 which is about $300 USD cheaper- Hypertherm and TD are inverter machines - Some drawbacks as to longevity of the machine?- The size of the Spectrum doesn't concern me since it'll be sitting in my garage.  - I am looking for is precision cutting and thin gauge metal probably will never cut more than the rating for the machine.- Consumables wearage - Sounds like the Hypertherm is highly rated in this respect.For now I am leaning toward the Cutmate due to that it is not an inverter based machine but not sure how it performs compared to the other machine.  Can anyone comment on the relative performance?  I searched for reviews on the Spectrum but most are for the XP inverter model and not the Cutmate.  So if there are operators knowledgeable with the Spectrum  Cutmate, I would certainly like to hear from them.Thanks!
Reply:I'd also look at ESAB.   Mine is going great after owning it about 10 years and I bought it used from Craigslist.   Transformer machine, great reputation.Consumable life not great but I can buy one or two dozen nozzles from China for the cost of 1 Hypertherm tip.  Also I believe the newer ESAB torches are better on consumables.   Pilot arc is really nice if you work with a lot of used rusty scrap like I do.Last edited by soutthpaw; 10-08-2015 at 01:16 PM.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:To bad your not near me http://rochester.craigslist.org/tld/5253145839.html
Reply:Originally Posted by jakedogTo bad your not near me http://rochester.craigslist.org/tld/5253145839.html
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawI'd also look at ESAB.   Mine is going great after owning it about 10 years and I bought it used from Craigslist.   Transformer machine, great reputation.Consumable life not great but I can buy one or two dozen nozzles from China for the cost of 1 Hypertherm tip.  Also I believe the newer ESAB torches are better on consumables.   Pilot arc is really nice if you work with a lot of used rusty scrap like I do.
Reply:Originally Posted by DaskoffI assume you are talking about the ESAB PowerCut 400?  It looks like it's in the same range as the ones I'm considering but cheaper by a couple of hundreds.  Don't know much about them but from the description it looks like it uses more CFm (6.6) than the others and has a lower duty cycle (20% at 30a).
Reply:Originally Posted by DaskoffThat same post is listed in the Chicago Craigslist with the same pics.  I emailed about it and never got a response.  Most likely a scam.
Reply:Hypertherm. /thread.
Reply:I had a Spectrum 300 Cutmate. Worked great for 10-12 gauge. Miller was joking advertising it for 3/8" cut.:
Reply:Originally Posted by DaskoffThat same post is listed in the Chicago Craigslist with the same pics.  I emailed about it and never got a response.  Most likely a scam.
Reply:All three are decent machines. My comments regarding these thoughts:Some thoughts: - They are all about the same price except for the Cutmaster 42 which is about $300 USD cheaper - Hypertherm and TD are inverter machines - Some drawbacks as to longevity of the machine?   Inverter Plasma cutters and welders got a bad rap back in the early 90's....when the technology was new. Everyone remembers the old Thermal Dynamics Stack-Pak, the early PowCon welders, and even the early Hypertherm Max41. The semiconductors that provided the switching to control output current back in those days simply was not reliable at the power levels that these machines needed. Fast forward. With hundreds of thousands of inverter technology plasma systems in the field under the Hypertherm name...the data that we have shows that our inverter plasma cutters are dramatically more reliable than our previous "transformer" designs. Why would the major manufacturers produce them if this was not the case. There are many 20+ year old Hypertherm Powermax inverters cutting daily....anyone have a Powermax800, Powermax900? If you are buying major brand inverters...reliability is not an issue with todays technology. units cutting daily - I am looking for is precision cutting and thin gauge metal probably will never cut more than the rating for the machine. The Powermax30XP is the most efficient system of this group in terms of power in (from the wall) to cutting power at the torch. It is the only one with Finecut consumables for very thin materials, as well as shielded technology (best for drag cutting and heavy materials). Comes with accessories and a very rugged storage and transport case. Made in USA by the employee owners of Hypertherm. - Consumables wearage - Sounds like the Hypertherm is highly rated in this respect. Compared to the CM42, 5 to 6 times the consumable life, drag cutting on even the thickest materials. About 2x consumable life over the Cutmate.I have been using the Powermax30XP in my shop heavily for the last few months. I have a Powermax85 and a Powermax45 as well....so most 30 amp units have seemed underpowered to me in the past. Not this one....to me it is just over the edge for the home shop user, and its size, dual voltage and transport case makes it an attractive system for commercial/portable field use as well. Good luck on your ultimate choice!Jim Colt  Hypertherm
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawI'm not up on ESAB product line, but if it's the same add their welders, it comes with their 100% 100 day money back guarantee.   I think Brand A has more experience with them.
Reply:Same ad in Houston, TXhttp://houston.craigslist.org/tld/5253791290.html