Powermax 30 or 45 : Will this compressor work?

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I am looking to buy a Powermax 30 or 45.  Actually I’d rather get a Powermax45 but I’m trying to stay mobile with my compressor so I’m looking to pair the plasma up with one of the following compressors:1.Makita MAC5200Oil Lubricated, 3 hp, 5.2 gal140 psi6.5 cfm @ 90 psi2.Dewalt D55146Oilless, 1.8 hp, 4.5 gal200 psi5.2 cfm @ 90 psiWill either of these compressors handle the Powermax 45?  If so, which would you recommend?  I’m thinking the Makita but wondering if the 200 psi on the Dewalt will give me more useable air.  The maximum cut I plan to do is 3/8”, so my cut times would be short on the Powermax 45.  I realize the Powermax 45 recommends a 6.0 cfm compressor but I’ve often heard you need 1.5 – 2 times the recommended cfm rating for a plasma.  Is this true?Thanks for the help.Last edited by BDB76; 08-31-2009 at 11:06 AM.Reason: Adding to post.
Reply:Neither of those compressors are big enough for either of those plasmas.   I think we went through this same question already in another discussion recently and the answer was you need a bigger compressor.   I had the Makita MAC5200 (gave it to my dad) and have a Powermax 380, which has nearly the same specs for air demand and power input/output as the Powermax 30.   The MAC5200 is not enough compressor to effectively run my plasma cutter.   Yes, it will give it some air and yes, the plasma will make some short intermittent cuts on thin metal, but you will not be able to use either of those plasmas anywhere near their full potential on either of those small compressors.   Since you don't already own either of those compressors, I recommend you NOT buy either of them, if you intend to run a plasma from it.If you want to run a plasma from a portable air compressor, I suggest you buy a good used gas powered compressor with a minimum 12 cfm output.  15 or more cfm is much better.  I have run my plasma on an Emglo twin-tank single-stage 5hp gas 125 psi compressor and it does the job.  I rented the compressor from a local equipment rental place to do a job demolitioning a steel staircase.  The metals to be cut were 1/2" plate about 12" cuts and a whole lot of 14-18 ga steel sheet, as well as some 1/8 thick tube of various sizes.  I had wait for the compressor to catch up alot and it did shut down from overheating a few times but it did the job.  I would not buy this compressor to run my plasma from, it is a bit too small.The compressor I run my plasma from normally in the field is a 30-gal 2-stage 175-psi 10hp gas with about 15 cfm output.  This compressor makes plenty of air and the plasma never has to wait.  This is the size compressor you want to use to run a Powermax 30 or 45.  Anything smaller will be a disappointment.If you are near southern California, there is a member here named FluxThis who is selling just such a compressor as mine that will be a perfect match for the plasmas you have mentioned.   He has an ad in the for sale section, as well as an in Craigs List San Diego local.Last edited by DesertRider33; 09-03-2009 at 09:59 AM.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Amazon.com actually specs 6.9CFM @ 90PSI for the Makita, but I'm in agreement, that its probably way too small.For one thing, that 3HP, is a big lie.  The most true horsepower you can develop on a 15A 110V circuit is more like 2.I've had a few 110V compressors hooked up to my plasma cutters, but I never found any satisfactory (even the "6"HP 27 Gal C&H).  I always spent time waiting for the pressure to build back up.The smallest compressor that was able to keep up for me, was a 220V 60 gallon 12CFM unit.  And even that, was just BARELY able to keep up.  Now, I admit, that it wasn't a Hypertherm, but my cutter was rated to run at 4-6CFM @ 70PSI.
Reply:Yeah I don't get the minimum cfm ratings listed with plasmas.  They are way way way way off!   If you run it with a compressor matching the minumum rating, or even exceeding it by 50%, it's still no where near enough air.   You need to exceed the minimum rating by at least 100% to be even close to having enough air.   That means if your plasma's minimum air requirement is listed as 6 cfm @ 90 psi, you need a compressor that puts out a minimum 12 cfm @ 90 psi to be happy with it at all, and even that isn't ideal.   150% over minimum is more like the ideal amount of air for serious use, so a 6 cfm rated plasma needs a 15 cfm compressor to really shine.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Thats unfortuante to hear. I would like to get Powermax 30 someday soon, but all I have for a compressor is a Porter-Cable nailgun suitcase with specs about like that Makita. Guess I have to go compressor shopping first. I dont mean to highjack but if I have to buy something bigger would it be better to buy one with an oilless pump? or is oil lube ok, as long as I buy a oil and water separator? I think Id perfer oil lube if I can because theyre generally quieter and Ive heard they supposedly last longer, as a general rule.Hobart Stickmate LX AC/DC buzzboxLincoln SP-100 MIGMid-size O/A setup with heating tips and cutterJet 5"x6" Horizontal/Vertical BandsawAtlas 15" drill press
Reply:Go with a reciprocating oil lube pump.  Old school works good. MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Just a couple of comments on the size of the compressor.The specs for the Hypertherm systems are correct.....when you are operating the torch, and for a few seconds postflow after each cut this air flow and pressure is required....but of course whan you are in between cuts the air flow is not needed.I have used my Powermax1000 as well as my Powermax30 (I also have a Powermax45) outside of my shop with a small Dewalt compressor that is designed for use with nail guns...I think it is rated at about 6 cfm @ 90 psi. For short and or intermittent cuts...this compressor works just fine......which is what I would usually do when using the plasma in a remote location. When the systems are used in my shop...the shop compressor is a 13.5 cfm @ 90 psi unit with an 80 gallon tank.....and this unit has been working well with my plasma cutters for almost 20 years....in fact yesterday the Powermax45 and the Powermax30 were running at the same time for a few hours....the compressor ran a lot, but always had adequate flow and pressure to support the systems.So....part of the equation is...duration of your cuts....and how many cuts? You can actually use a compressor with a cfm rating that is smaller than the plasma requirements for a very short cut...as long as the pressure is adequate for the plasma....as soon as the pressure gets too low the Hypertherm unit will shut itself off.Jim Colt Hypertherm
Reply:Jim,Approximatley how many seconds would a Powermax45 last on a 6 cfm 5 gallon tank?  Thanks.
Reply:I honestly don't know how to calculate that.....My wild guess would be about 20 seconds before the compressor would kick on....then the compressor would run pretty much continuously if you were to continue cutting non stop. Most small compressors are not designed for 100% duty cycle....so eventually the compressor would overheat.Jim
Reply:I agree with you Jim.  I run my TD Pakmaster 25 off of a CH compressor capable of 6.3 @ 90psi and 8.1 @ 40 with a 13gal. tank.  The compressor will cycle frequently but I have yet had to pause cutting because the plasma shut down due to lack of air suppy.A few of my toys !LinuxMintManjaroMiller Roughneck 2E Lincoln WeldPak 100HTP MTS 160 Chicago Electric 80amp Inverter   Victor O/A
Reply:Another thing to consider (at least in my low-cfm compressor experience) is that if you run a smaller compressor hard, it will spit more water. You need to make darn sure you have a good air contaminant prevention strategy if you're running a smaller compressor, or you'll eat the expen$ive Hypertherm tips.I run 3 filters and about 100 ft of copper between my compressor and my Powermax 45 (Harbor Freight filter, then a Sharpe, then a Motorguard). Plus I run a big I-R compressor, I ditched the small one a long time ago. Better safe than sorry. The soldering toys pay for the welding toys.Hakko 928 dual iron, 4xHakko 936Madell 850D Hot Air SMT ReworkMiller 252, HTP Invertig 201 AC/DC, and a Hypertherm 45.
Reply:Cabletech, you are definitly right about that, I cant disagree!  With the price of consumables of any brand, why take a chance.  At my workplace I have seen more consumables ruined than should have been due to moisture that could easily have been prevented with better moisture management regardless of large or small compressor use.A few of my toys !LinuxMintManjaroMiller Roughneck 2E Lincoln WeldPak 100HTP MTS 160 Chicago Electric 80amp Inverter   Victor O/A