TD Cutmaster 52/82 performance comparison question

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 10:05:46 GMT

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Hi all,Still hemming and hawing about plasma machines.  I'm basically down to TD - 52 or 82 (based on price/warranty).  One thing I'm wondering about is the relative performance of the machines - specifically, for the spec'd cut rates, is the quality of cut going to be the same, with the 52 just going slower with a lower duty cycle?   If the 52 mechanized cut chart says it will do 3/4" @ 60A at 14 ipm and an 82 will do 3/4" @ 80A at 18 ipm when the piece drops to the floor, will I be able to tell which machine made the cut?  Presumably there is a point where we would be able to see a different (since the 52 can't cut as thick as the 82), but when not pressing the limits too much are we going to see much difference?I'm pullin' the trigger this week! (Just trying to figure out how big a BOOM it's going to make in my wallet ).Thanks.
Reply:60 amps work very well from a edge start on  .750..  I have a real nice fondness for the 70 amp tips too.. I don't think you will see any difference between your cut quality. Just your piercing ability.. You will not get 14 IPM out of the 60 amp consumables on .750.. About the same as a hypertherm 45 at 8 IPM for very best quality.. Think of the Thermal as down 15 amps to the Hypertherm. Not always, but a good rule of thumb. The 82 (80 amp) would be similar to a Hypertherm 65 in output.Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:Another point to consider is that the 82...IIRC......needs about 72 amps at the wall for all out performance.Last edited by rahtreelimbs; 09-28-2015 at 09:41 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by Brand X I have a real nice fondness for the 70 amp tips too.. I don't think you will see any difference between your cut quality. Just your piercing ability.. You will not get 14 IPM out of the 60 amp consumables on .750.. About the same as a hypertherm 45 at 8 IPM for very best quality.. Think of the Thermal as down 15 amps to the Hypertherm. Not always, but a good rule of thumb. The 82 (80 amp) would be similar to a Hypertherm 65 in output.
Reply:Originally Posted by rahtreelimbsAnother point to consider is that the 82...IIRC......needs about 72 amps at the wall for all out performance.
Reply:Right now there is a $200 rebate on the 82, only a $100 on the 52. I was in the same situation and wanted the 82 but I do run it on my 10000 watt generator with and air compressor from time to time and I thought the 82 might be pushing past the limits. I can't say how much better the 82 is, I know the 52 has not failed me in anything I have thrown at it.ESAB Rebels 215 and 235, ESAB HELIARC 281i, ESAB ET 301i, Hypertherm 85 and 45XP, Thermal Arc 185, TD 60i, HTP PRO PULSE 300
Reply:Yes,70 amp tips in the SL-60 /SL-100/ SL-100 SV Machine torch.. The SL-60 is the same torch as the SL-100, just the cable is smaller.. Not really a issue even on the 100 amp machines.. I run my all Lights / 5hp Curtis(Real) compressor.3 fans, and my Cutmaster A-120 full blast,(120 amps) but mostly cut 1-1nch with it.. So not pulling full power, but a bunch. 100 amp service..to my shop.. If I run 80 amps, I would never worry about anything there..You are not going to notice the cut quality difference between a 52 or a A-120..and everything in between.. I would be OK with a Cutmaster 52..I think it's the bargain in Plasma cutters.. I owned Thermal stuff  so long. I generally get them to cut very nice..For some reason the 50/55 amp,(Best on .190 usings 50 amps) and the 70 amp tips really work well in the my cutmaster.. The .500 I cut with the 70 amps was very nice quality.. I am sure the 60 would of been great too.. Sometimes the odd amp stuff really responds in the thermal..Last edited by Brand X; 09-29-2015 at 03:41 AM.Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:Originally Posted by ABplasmaThere are many difference between  TD Cutmaster 52 and 8/2. The Maximum Amperage Output,Output Power,Maximum Cut,Pierce Rating,Amperage Draw and many other specifications are different. You should choose according to your conditions and needs.
Reply:Originally Posted by Brand XCorrect, but the 60 amp machine will cut the exact same as the 80 amp machine up to 60 amps.. Both machines are identical weight machines, same torch, and many parts between them are the same..  In fact they don't cut really any different then the cutmaster 81, 101, and 151.. 60/80/100 old school machines..If i was going to get a back up for my A-120, I pick up the cheaper 52, and throw a CNC interface into it. Or use the 52 without it.. I can go both ways with my table setup.. I like my A-120 power for hand cutting mostly, and really won't cut anything at full output CNC.. A/O will get the nod for sure.. Like I said before, I would miss the 70 amp consumables that the 82 will run.. Seems to me, when you get up to the cost of the 82, You might be better served to get a Hypertherm 65.. The 52 is tremendous value at about $1225 after the rebate. $2000 for the 82 is pushing it into other quality machines territory.
Reply:Originally Posted by ABplasmaThe Cutmaster 82 can cut 40mm in Maximum and the Cutmaster 52 can cut only 30mm in Maximum. If the thickness you need to cut is 30mm in Maximum.You can choose 52. If above 30mm you should choose 82 in best.
Reply:Had my 52 for 5 years now. Used it heavily on and off my CNC table. It has never let me down.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:I've had my blue 52 a few years now. Great machines.
Reply:Originally Posted by PipelinerI've had my blue 52 a few years now. Great machines.
Reply:Originally Posted by dschadMaybe I should start a thread on the merits of green versus blue?