Replacing my plasma cutter

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As posted earlier my Miller 625 Xtreme was stolen and i thinking i am going to replace it with a Hypertherm Powermax 45  But i have been looking at the Powermax 65 and it's a real nice sounding machine and it it seems to have quite a few added perks over the 45The big question is is it worth another grand investment  Tell me what you think guys   Backed my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:Originally Posted by killdozerd11As posted earlier my Miller 625 Xtreme was stolen and i thinking i am going to replace it with a Hypertherm Powermax 45  But i have been looking at the Powermax 65 and it's a real nice sounding machine and it it seems to have quite a few added perks over the 45The big question is is it worth another grand investment  Tell me what you think guys
Reply:Never have to much power. Actually that's not true especially on the older machines. However I don't think you'd be sorry about going to a 65 or even 85.   When I got my plasma I'd used a large 125 Lincoln a lot at my former employers and some small 30-40 amp ones that I'd borrowed a few times. The Lincoln was fair at cutting really thick stuff but pretty bad at thin. It really wouldn't turn down well and never gave that good a cut quality. The small ones I'd run into speed of cut and duty cycle issues when using them.   I knew I wanted big but not to big. I really wanted a Powermax 1000. But I was in a situation where I had to have one right now to get a big stainless job out of the shop. The LWS didn't have a 1000 in stock. They had the 600 or the 1250. I was pretty sure I wouldn't be happy with the 600 so pried loose the money for the 1250. I've never regretted it. The money hurt at first but not for long while the pleasure of using a plasma capable of fast clean cuts on thin metal and doing reasonably fast cuts on thick metal has lasted for a lot of years now.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:The 45 is good, but I'd rather have a 65.......even more so an 85. Oh....wait...I have a 45, a Powermax1000, and 85 and a 1250, and a Powermax30 as well....oh yeah and this doesn't count because I work for Hypertherm!Each succesive model really does get better in every way. Reliability, features, cut power, speed and cut quality. The 65 and 85 are the newest releases....the 45 just before that. Nice thing about the newer 65/85 models.....there are consumables and power levels to cut from 28 gauge to the thickest each are rated for...so there is no penalty on the thin materials side for getting a more powerful unit.If I can answer any questions I'd be happy to!Jim Colt   Hypertherm
Reply:I bought my Powermax 600, and wished I had spent the money on the biggest 1 phase. Next one WILL be the biggest 1 phase available. Do yourself a favor and get the 85."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:I've had nothing but goood luck with my PM45, Ive gotten a lot of use out of it. It could be bigger for sure, but tears through 1/2" pretty well and eats 1/4" and under like its nothing. Id buy it again!!http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL965344AC4800043C[Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:Oh yeah it is worth the difference.  I have the 60 amp PM 1000 which was replaxed by the 65 and it is bad to the bone.  You will be able to pierce thicker stuff in the middle of the plate and get a much nicer edge since you can fine tune the machine.  Jim Colt is the man to ask though.  He will evaluate what you are doing and what you plan and make a sound recomendation based on his experience.  He hits it dead on every time so I always defer to Jim and follow his lead.  Nothin better than a resident expert with free valid and tested facts.BobI'm spending my Kids inheritance, I dont like him that much anyway!!!!!!Enuff tools to do the job, enough sense to use em.Anybody got a spare set of kidneys?  Trade?
Reply:One other thought since Jim brought up the fact that the 45 is slightly older tech. I just got the new Duramax torch for my 1250. Now I've been extremely happy with my old T-80 torch for a long time except for one thing. It was pretty difficult to gouge with. If it wasn't blowing hot metal at you finger the arc was going out because it was to long. Turning it down just made matters worse. The new Duramax torch is light years ahead on the gouging game. Turned up it'll remove metal like nothing else and the new 75deg angle on the torch helps keep your hands out of the way while allowing you to get into the tight spots. Turn it down and you can precisely trim small amounts of metal right where you want to. The arc will stay lit for a long distance as well.   I also have to say that the new torch is much easier to cut circles with using a circle cutter. The T-80 was so close to the work that you couldn't get the bar past your finger on the trigger and it was at a awkward angle trying to keep the torch level. I've only used it a little for cutting with straight edge but it's probably a little better at that as well. I've had to do more free hand work lately than normal as well and the visibility is improved though that's one area where the old torch was slightly better in some cases since the handle was close to the work like a cutting torch. However the way they curve the handle back down it's really just a matter of getting a proper prop for your arm making it perfectly usable.   In the past I always cussed 75 deg torches because they where awkward for me on everything. However they did a superb job with the Duramax making it usable. The secret I think in the fact that while the head is at 75 deg the hand curves back down to straight so your hand isn't at that awkward angle.   So far the only thing I'm not liking is the stiffness of the cable to the torch. However I can remember fighting with my old T-80 when I first got it and it loosened up over time. I'm sure this one will as well.   With all this in mind I wouldn't even consider a plasma that didn't have the Duramax torch at the moment. Go for the 65 and if you can get the pry bar in the wallet try for the 85 and you won't regret it.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:Well i don't think i could go to the 85 just to much and i'm not doing a lot of repair work that i normally do or even fabbing stuff right now so the insurance pays replacement cost minus a thousand deductible so that grand is out of pocket and that pocket is very shallow these daysAs far as i goes i need to keep the machine small for portability around the equipment  and having to get into tight spots and gouge cracks I wish these thing would break in convenient to work on places The most big cutting jobs i have to do is fixing cracks and fish plating booms and crowd sticks on excavators and backhoes which is done with 1/2" to 1" plate the entire length and on both sides but i have not done any lately I don't have a cnc table but wish i did but that was another reason i was looking at the HP units is because the torch being a plug in system so changing the torch from one to another is easy...Not writing off a cnc table just putting it on the back burner for nowThanks for the posts guys i have a couple of weeks before the check gets here so i will be doing some looking in the mean timeI think i'll go to Texas and go to work for IrishLast edited by killdozerd11; 01-25-2012 at 02:05 AM.Backed my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:Originally Posted by jimcoltThe 45 is good, but I'd rather have a 65.......even more so an 85. Oh....wait...I have a 45, a Powermax1000, and 85 and a 1250, and a Powermax30 as well....oh yeah and this doesn't count because I work for Hypertherm!Each succesive model really does get better in every way. Reliability, features, cut power, speed and cut quality. The 65 and 85 are the newest releases....the 45 just before that. Nice thing about the newer 65/85 models.....there are consumables and power levels to cut from 28 gauge to the thickest each are rated for...so there is no penalty on the thin materials side for getting a more powerful unit.If I can answer any questions I'd be happy to!Jim Colt   Hypertherm
Reply:Go look at the Longevity ForceCut 60i.  Great machine and a lot less money.  You can also "make them a reasonable offer".Just look for the button on the page and give it a try.  Mine is about 4 months old now and not a problem. Slices through 1 and 1/4 inch plate.Just my 2 cents worth....From the desk of Kevin CaronTrying to be the best me I can!www.kevincaron.comAHP Alpha Tig 200x MillerMatic 251Miller Syncrowave 200
Reply:If the 625 worked OK for you on the 1" fish plates the 45 should outrun it.I think my 600 is superior to my 1000 for the gouging I do, BUT when you need to carve out much more than thumb width and deeper than 1" it's working pretty hard.Also I don't know if the 45 & 65 have the extended "pipe saddle" non sheilded 30 amp-ish parts, but they are the trick for real precise control.Matt
Reply:My PM 65 is used every day in the shop. I also have thrown it in the truck and used it in the boatyard. No problems for me as far as being portable...
Reply:The Powermax65 and 85 systems have been on the market for about 14 months....there are between 10,000 and  15,000 of them in the field (we do not divulge our real sales numbers). From our point of view...these units have the lowest warranty costs as compared to any prior systems from Hypertherm....which is always the target for a manufacturer of this type of equipment. The 65 and 85 share circuitry and a torch....and they were designed and released at the same time. There (of course) have been a few issues with numbers like that in the field...but none that seem to indicate any type of design issues. Hypertherm runs all new products through our state of the art reliability labs, which torture's dozens of systems (higher temperatures, high humidity, shop dust, vibrations low voltage/high voltage, higher output amperage and duty cycle are some of the test criteria) for 12 to 18 months....this highly accelerated life testing can put six years of tough life on systems in 12 months of testing.Best thing though is to talk to those that own the 65and 85....see what they are experiencing!Jim  Originally Posted by killdozerd11Hey Jim The only thing that i wonder about on the PM 65 is how well the new electronic controls stand up I know that you guys stand behind your products and do a lot of extensive testing before you put a product out but in the field only time will tell You can't fix stupid and there is no such thing as idiot proofBut i was hoping to hear from guys that had PM 65 machines I have looked at all the demo stuff and i like what i see
Reply:Originally Posted by kevinacaronGo look at the Longevity ForceCut 60i.  Great machine and a lot less money.  You can also "make them a reasonable offer".Just look for the button on the page and give it a try.  Mine is about 4 months old now and not a problem. Slices through 1 and 1/4 inch plate.Just my 2 cents worth....
Reply:Originally Posted by farmshopThat would solve the problem of people stealing your plasma cutter  Or at least if it was stolen it would show up Sorry I couldnt resist
Reply:Originally Posted by killdozerd11I just knew that this kind of reply was forth coming when i read kevinacarons  postI have no intention of buying one of those  not even i my wildest dream (nightmare)Because i have already made up my mind about it being a HyperTherm Oh before i go i didn't cut the 3/4" to 1 " fish plates with the plasma cutter that was all O/A work...Plasma cutters are great but ...
Reply:Heck, I have my old Powermax 380 just sitting in the closet now. No reason to have both of them on the cart. And what's wrong with a big black machine!!??    If someone steals this one at least I am not out what you are looking to spend. It cost me half what I paid for the 380 5 years ago!!!From the desk of Kevin CaronTrying to be the best me I can!www.kevincaron.comAHP Alpha Tig 200x MillerMatic 251Miller Syncrowave 200
Reply:Originally Posted by Jake98but... you can't afford the one you need, obviously. Just sayin..
Reply:When you get your cheque, you could buy 2 or 3 of the "C" type machines and then you could have one in service while you burn the other 2.
Reply:Originally Posted by LarryOWhen you get your cheque, you could buy 2 or 3 of the "C" type machines and then you could have one in service while you burn the other 2.
Reply:Only havin' a bit of fun.I do have a PM 45.  Great machine.  Nobody borrows it because its 3 phase.  I dont need to use it out of home.
Reply:Originally Posted by LarryOOnly havin' a bit of fun.I do have a PM 45.  Great machine.  Nobody borrows it because its 3 phase.  I dont need to use it out of home.
Reply:Hay killdozerd11,  Sorry to hear someone took your plasma cutter.  Please let us know when you get your NEW Hypertherm65 plasma cutter. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  Oh, and let us know when you plan on leaving it on the porch so we can BARROW it  we will bring it back HONEST!!  www.georgesplasmacuttershop.comPlasma Cutter and Welder Sales and Repairs--Ebay storeTec.Mo. Dealer Consumables for the PT and IPT torch's
Reply:Originally Posted by mechanic416Hay killdozerd11,    Oh, and let us know when you plan on leaving it on the porch so we can BARROW it  we will bring it back HONEST!!next person borrowing something around here will also receive a hi speed lead injection free of charge...LOLBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck