HTP Plasma Cutter

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Is anyone familiar with HTP Plasma cutters? Is this another chicom POS? My buddy is about to buy one, even after exhausting conversation from me to go with Hypertherm. He is convinced these are made in europe, not asia, and they are better. Someone he knows had one and the company refunded his money, as advertised, within 90 days. He said the guy needed a bigger unit than available from HTP. Anyone?This is what he is looking at."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 am pretty sure that most of the HTP units are Italian made.....although HTP buys the units and rebadges them....so it is possible that various models could be from different manufacturers.The torches look like Trafimet (Italian) torches....same as the ones used on the Chinese imports.I'm sure these units cut metal just fine. The questions always: - Will parts be available...and for how many years?-Is there a factory service department (where the unit was built) or is service performed only by HTP?-What is consumable life?-Are the units high frequency start or blowback start?-What is the duty cycle ratings at various output?Jim
Reply:I have the predecessor to that. Mine is the Microcut 380. It is a fine little unit. There is good support and excellent customer service through HTP.Down side, is if you need any work done on it, YOU cover the shipping expense back to HTP. You cannot just take these units to your LWS and have them take a look.Mine literally blew up after much neglect and build up of iron dust on the board, but Jeff Noland (HTP President) sent me the electrical schematics and my buddy de-soldered and repaired everything back to new and it works flawlessly again.If I had to do over, I would choose Hypertherm over ANY other unit because of the reputation and parts availability. If HTP was next door, I would have no problem buying another one of their units. Very reasonably priced and well made.BTW, I believe the unit is made in Italy IIRC.Granthttp://jackalopefab.com/MM210Synchrowave 200DXMiller XMT350 w/60series feederMiller Bobcat 250 with SGA 100 and spoolgunHTP PlasmaFull Machine shop with everything
Reply:Originally Posted by jimcoltThe questions always: - Will parts be available...and for how many years?-Is there a factory service department (where the unit was built) or is service performed only by HTP?-What is consumable life?-Are the units high frequency start or blowback start?-What is the duty cycle ratings at various output?Jim
Reply:What is wrong with you people out there??????You ask a question, get negative feedback and give negative yoursalf.  SO WHY EVEN ASK?????I have been dealing with HTP for years and Jeff Noland is a straight shooter, If he puts his reputation on the line you can believe the item will do what it is designed to do no matter were it came from!!!!If everyone wants to push HYPERTHERM then why don't you call this the HYPERTHERM WEBwww.georgesplasmacuttershop.comPlasma Cutter and Welder Sales and Repairs--Ebay storeTec.Mo. Dealer Consumables for the PT and IPT torch's
Reply:Originally Posted by mechanic416What is wrong with you people out there??????You ask a question, get negative feedback and give negative yoursalf.  SO WHY EVEN ASK?????I have been dealing with HTP for years and Jeff Noland is a straight shooter, If he puts his reputation on the line you can believe the item will do what it is designed to do no matter were it came from!!!!If everyone wants to push HYPERTHERM then why don't you call this the HYPERTHERM WEB
Reply:I have a microcut 380 I got back in 2003. Beat the snot out of it. Only thing that went bad was the switch. I also have a HTP MIG 240. I have used alot of Miller 251's and the MIG 240 rates right up there with it for performance and smooth arc. The only thing I replaced on the mIG was the inner liner which to me is maintenance.T.J.www.tjsperformance.comDynasty 300 DXHTP 240HTP Microcut 380Hyperthem 85JD2 Hyd Bender and HF Hyd Ring Roller all in one =(Frankenbender)Bpt. Mill/DRO4' x 8' CNC Plasma TableInstagram: tjsperformanceYT: TJS Welding and Fabrication
Reply:Originally Posted by mechanic416What is wrong with you people out there??????You ask a question, get negative feedback and give negative yoursalf.  SO WHY EVEN ASK?????I have been dealing with HTP for years and Jeff Noland is a straight shooter, If he puts his reputation on the line you can believe the item will do what it is designed to do no matter were it came from!!!!If everyone wants to push HYPERTHERM then why don't you call this the HYPERTHERM WEB
Reply:Sorry, i have to say that perhaps its worth another exhaustive conversation regarding Hypertherm! I happen to think they are the best Plasma Cutters out there.
Reply:Why are some people mad because everyone else is happy about Hypertherm???"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:Originally Posted by mechanic416What is wrong with you people out there??????You ask a question, get negative feedback and give negative yoursalf.  SO WHY EVEN ASK?????I have been dealing with HTP for years and Jeff Noland is a straight shooter, If he puts his reputation on the line you can believe the item will do what it is designed to do no matter were it came from!!!!If everyone wants to push HYPERTHERM then why don't you call this the HYPERTHERM WEB
Reply:It is my opinion.....and you all know I work for Hypertherm....that users choose their plasma systems based on a lot of different criteria. To name a few, but certainly not all.....purchase price, thickness capability, operating cost, reliability, cut speed, interface capability for cnc machines, factory support, country of origin, size-weight....and even color.It does not matter how slick the sales brochures and how persistant the sales person is....the buyer will ultimately make the decision based in his/her own set of criteria. If you only have $600 and need a plasma, you will buy a $600 plasma (and there are choices between some new ones and many used ones!)A wise man once told me (when I was in my 20's.....and worked for this small, 15 employee company in NH called Hypertherm....and we had just lost a big order to a competitor that I though had inferior equipment) that "No matter how good your product is...you are not going to ever get all of the business. There will always be someone else that has the right combination on features and capabilities that fit the users needs, fortunately....the company that provides the majority of the needs will rise to the top and get the majority of the business"  I have always remembered that......and I see that wise man every day in the offices at Hypertherm....he is the founder and CEO of the company.Nothing wrong with buying any plasma product or brand in my opinion....just be sure it fits your needs! Jim Colt
Reply:Originally Posted by jimcoltA wise man once told me (when I was in my 20's.....and worked for this small, 15 employee company in NH called Hypertherm....and we had just lost a big order to a competitor that I though had inferior equipment) that "No matter how good your product is...you are not going to ever get all of the business. There will always be someone else that has the right combination on features and capabilities that fit the users needs, fortunately....the company that provides the majority of the needs will rise to the top and get the majority of the business"  I have always remembered that......and I see that wise man every day in the offices at Hypertherm....he is the founder and CEO of the company.
Reply:I'll chime in again for HTP.  I've got their Micro Cut 625 and have used it, dropped it, used it some more and it's great.  I also invested in their mig which I'm happy with. Never had a problem with either in 5 years.
Reply:Hi,I'm a new guy and a complete Novice.  I just used a buddy of mine's HTP 625.  I had a blast and actually cut through some pretty nasty stuff with it.  My question is:  I see that all the other manufacturer's consumables are relatively cheap, but when I try to replace the cup, tip, element that I totally used up; the replacement parts for the HTP are astronomical compared to anything else.  Am I looking in the wrong place?
Reply:Originally Posted by mechanic416If everyone wants to push HYPERTHERM then why don't you call this the HYPERTHERM WEB
Reply:Originally Posted by archimeechHi,I'm a new guy and a complete Novice.  I just used a buddy of mine's HTP 625.  I had a blast and actually cut through some pretty nasty stuff with it.  My question is:  I see that all the other manufacturer's consumables are relatively cheap, but when I try to replace the cup, tip, element that I totally used up; the replacement parts for the HTP are astronomical compared to anything else.  Am I looking in the wrong place?
Reply:Am I missing something?  $4-5 for one cutting tip when I see other manufacturere's packs of 50 for sale for $16 other places.
Reply:Plasma Torches and consumables are vastly different. Many of the low cost import plasma systems use a consumable design from 25 to 30 years ago....when air plasma systems were in their infancy. Over the years the top companies (Hypertherm, Thermal Dynamics and Esab) have spent millions of dollars in their development labs and have dramatically improved air plasma system capability. Power supplies are smaller, weigh about 1/6th of what they weighed 25 years ago.....they are more reliable, more powerful and draw less energy. Torches are designed in conjuction with the power supplies to cool more efficiently....to eliminate double arcing....to allow drag cutting at high output current...and some have consumable life that is 10 to 30 times longer than it was back then.I know that if you compare Hypertherm's first air plasma torch, the Max40....to its current Powermax45, all of the above applies. The 40 would get a max of about 100 starts on a nozzle.....the 45 can get as many as 3000 starts. The 40 could barely sever 1/2"....the 45 can sever 1 -1/2' (I have done it...and have pics). The 40 weighed about 230 lbs, the 45 weighs about 40 lbs....the 45 is dramatically more reliable. Another interesting tidbit...the Max 40 was priced at $2499,  the Powermax45 is listed at $2160......even with inflation it is more powerful, cheaper to use, more reliable and costs less than the original unit. Electrodes and nozzles for the 45 are essentially the same price as the 40 as well....even though the price of copper has increased over 25 years 4 times.So....you can buy the "low cost" plasma and torches....get your bag of 100 cheap nozzles (or tips).....and you will go through that bag of consumables in about the same time that 5 sets of consumables will be used up in a well engineered new technology plasma. It is the argument of the cost of ownership.....do you want to spend less money on the purchase and more for operating cost....or more at the time of purchase and less for operating cost. The argument will go on forever!Jim Colt Originally Posted by archimeechAm I missing something?  $4-5 for one cutting tip when I see other manufacturere's packs of 50 for sale for $16 other places.
Reply:Thanks, Jim.Both schools of thought have their support.  I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing the bigger picture.  Either way, I owe my buddy some consumables.  It's a great torch and I plan on using it quite a bit in the future!
Reply:Originally Posted by jimcoltPlasma Torches and consumables are vastly different. Many of the low cost import plasma systems use a consumable design from 25 to 30 years ago....when air plasma systems were in their infancy. Over the years the top companies (Hypertherm, Thermal Dynamics and Esab) have spent millions of dollars in their development labs and have dramatically improved air plasma system capability. Power supplies are smaller, weigh about 1/6th of what they weighed 25 years ago.....they are more reliable, more powerful and draw less energy. Torches are designed in conjuction with the power supplies to cool more efficiently....to eliminate double arcing....to allow drag cutting at high output current...and some have consumable life that is 10 to 30 times longer than it was back then.I know that if you compare Hypertherm's first air plasma torch, the Max40....to its current Powermax45, all of the above applies. The 40 would get a max of about 100 starts on a nozzle.....the 45 can get as many as 3000 starts. The 40 could barely sever 1/2"....the 45 can sever 1 -1/2' (I have done it...and have pics). The 40 weighed about 230 lbs, the 45 weighs about 40 lbs....the 45 is dramatically more reliable. Another interesting tidbit...the Max 40 was priced at $2499,  the Powermax45 is listed at $2160......even with inflation it is more powerful, cheaper to use, more reliable and costs less than the original unit. Electrodes and nozzles for the 45 are essentially the same price as the 40 as well....even though the price of copper has increased over 25 years 4 times.So....you can buy the "low cost" plasma and torches....get your bag of 100 cheap nozzles (or tips).....and you will go through that bag of consumables in about the same time that 5 sets of consumables will be used up in a well engineered new technology plasma. It is the argument of the cost of ownership.....do you want to spend less money on the purchase and more for operating cost....or more at the time of purchase and less for operating cost. The argument will go on forever!Jim Colt
Reply:Chiming in:Over the years I have used nearly every Plasma Cutter out there in an environment that allows for side by side comparison.  The one thing I have noticed that does not get as much attention IMO:  Cut Quality and Dross is much better on a Hypertherm compared to others.  You will also find that in the long run the cost of operations is much lower.
Reply:Jim,Can you upgrade the torch from the HF/Eastwoood/HTP to the torch head that hypertherm uses and save on consumables?Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:There is no kit to allow putting a Hypertherm torch on any other brand plasma...however in theory it could be done. I will add that the torch alone does not make for the best cut quality and consumable life.....all Hypertherm power supplies and torches are designed together. The miicroprocessor in  the power supply provides for the proper ramp up and ramp down of power to the torch....which varies depending on the power output settings.....further, the time between airflow and power ramp at the beginning and end of each cut are critical. If you installed a Hypertherm torch on a system that did not have the same capability...then you could not expect the same level of performance.Jim Colt Originally Posted by GambleJim,Can you upgrade the torch from the HF/Eastwoood/HTP to the torch head that hypertherm uses and save on consumables?
Reply:As I posted yesterday on another forum....If I was in the market for a plasma and had a limited budget...I would certainly feel safer buying an HTP system as compared to one of about a dozen other importers units.....just because HTP has been around for a while. HTP imports their products from a few different manufacturers....and the ones that I have used and tested cut metal....but certainly will not compare side by side with similarly powered Hypertherm units.Here's how the Microcut 600 stacks up from a tech point of view against the Powermax45:Microcut:Amperage output: 40Max load voltage (DC); 110 voltsOutput wattage (amperage x load voltage): 4.4 killowattsDuty cycle at 40 amps cutting at full rated thickness (3/8"); 20%Max severance thickness: 1/2"Powermax45Amperage output: 45Max load voltage (DC); 132 voltsOutput wattage (amperage x load voltage): 5.9 killowattsDuty cycle at 45 amps cutting at full rated thickness (1/2"); 50%Max severance thickness: 1"-There is a big difference in power output......which is not amperage but Wattage (killowatts). More watts = thicker cutting and faster speeds.-The 20% duty cycle on the Microcut is extremely low for a plasma cutter.-The Hypertherm is Made in USA. Employees that build the Powermax own the company...there are no stock holders that do not work for Hypertherm.-I have personally severed 1-1/2" with the Powermax45. I cut 1/2" with it (pierce and cut) all the time on my Torchmate machine with AVHC. I have pierced and cut 5/8", and have edge started and cut 1" on the Torchmate. The HTP will not do this!-The Hypertherm torch has two distinct advantages... patented conical flow technology (faster cuts, better nozzle cooling, squarer edges. Patented shield technology...thicker piercing, the ability to drag cut (plate contact) without nozzle damage, and longer consumable life as a result.Probably a closer comparison to the Microcut 600 would be the Hypertherm Powermax30....which has a LOWER list price than the Microcut.....although higher than the sale price!Jim Colt Originally Posted by BlauSchuhI got the same $899 email today as well... Jim, is the HTP considered a cheapo? I've read raves about their TIG units (220/221) assumed that quality would carry over to the plasma unitsOriginally Posted by jimcoltAs I posted yesterday on another forum....If I was in the market for a plasma and had a limited budget...I would certainly feel safer buying an HTP system as compared to one of about a dozen other importers units.....just because HTP has been around for a while. HTP imports their products from a few different manufacturers....and the ones that I have used and tested cut metal....but certainly will not compare side by side with similarly powered Hypertherm units.Here's how the Microcut 600 stacks up from a tech point of view against the Powermax45:Microcut:Amperage output: 40Max load voltage (DC); 110 voltsOutput wattage (amperage x load voltage): 4.4 killowattsDuty cycle at 40 amps cutting at full rated thickness (3/8"); 20%Max severance thickness: 1/2"Powermax45Amperage output: 45Max load voltage (DC); 132 voltsOutput wattage (amperage x load voltage): 5.9 killowattsDuty cycle at 45 amps cutting at full rated thickness (1/2"); 50%Max severance thickness: 1"-There is a big difference in power output......which is not amperage but Wattage (killowatts). More watts = thicker cutting and faster speeds.-The 20% duty cycle on the Microcut is extremely low for a plasma cutter.-The Hypertherm is Made in USA. Employees that build the Powermax own the company...there are no stock holders that do not work for Hypertherm.-I have personally severed 1-1/2" with the Powermax45. I cut 1/2" with it (pierce and cut) all the time on my Torchmate machine with AVHC. I have pierced and cut 5/8", and have edge started and cut 1" on the Torchmate. The HTP will not do this!-The Hypertherm torch has two distinct advantages... patented conical flow technology (faster cuts, better nozzle cooling, squarer edges. Patented shield technology...thicker piercing, the ability to drag cut (plate contact) without nozzle damage, and longer consumable life as a result.Probably a closer comparison to the Microcut 600 would be the Hypertherm Powermax30....which has a LOWER list price than the Microcut.....although higher than the sale price!Jim Colt
Reply:Just an fyi.  Harbor freight consumables work on HTP plasma cutterswww.tjsperformance.comDynasty 300 DXHTP 240HTP Microcut 380Hyperthem 85JD2 Hyd Bender and HF Hyd Ring Roller all in one =(Frankenbender)Bpt. Mill/DRO4' x 8' CNC Plasma TableInstagram: tjsperformanceYT: TJS Welding and Fabrication