Compressors for Hypertherm PowerMax45

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Just picked up a PowerMax 45 plasma cutter and I need to purchase an air compressor to go along with it. I don't think these things need a lot of CFM pressure ... but do they need big tanks?I don't want a big 80 gallon standing unit ... but I'm wrestling for the ideal size ... a little 3 gallon Husky ... a 6 gallon pancake ... a 12 gallon Husky or one of the bigger 30 gallon Sears or Husky Pro models?I'm looking for decent quality (ie: I don't want to buy another one in a year) but at the same time, I'm afraid that a bigger one would just sit around most of the time until I needed to cut something. Maybe I would use it for grinding or other stuff ... I'm just not sure since I don't have one yet.Just looking for opinions on what you bought - and after a few months, what you wished you bought. And, if I got a bigger 30 gallon unit, would I want to drain it each weekend or leave it open during the week if I'm not using it. Are those things meant to just sit in the corner fully pressurized until you need the air?Thanks,-Luther
Reply:The machine calls for 6 cfm. You will need to get a compressor that can produce at least 6 cfm at 80 psi. Or get one with a tank large enough to supply 6 cfm at 80 psi long enough to finish the cut. The small portable units will work but for only a short time before the air pressure drops. I have a hitachi compressor I use for nail guns and it claims to put out 3.0 cfm and has a 4 gallon tank. It will supply my powermax380 for about 15 seconds before I have to stop and wait for it. I also have a 10 cfm 60 gal. devilbiss, it will supply the plasma for about 30 seconds before it runs and then run continuously as long as i run the plasma, I have never had to stop and wait for it.Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:The 3.5HP (taken with a grain of salt) compressors with a 30 gallon tank worked fine with mine for years. Get a belt drive unit not a direct drive
Reply:The FM says you need 6 cfm @90 psi, so that pretty much rules out any of the 120V air compressors (unless you are doing very limited and short-length cuts, where you are just relying on the stored air from the tank and then have to wait for the motor and pump to refill said air tank before you can cut any more).You pretty much need a 240V air compressor to supply > 6 cfm @ 90 psi.  (unless you are running an engine-driven air compressor).  So you'll need an appropriate 240V line to run the plasma cutter and another appropriate 240V line to run the air compressor.As to air in the tank, you already paid to compress that air (electricity/fuel and wear-n-tear) so why would you 'throw it out'?  Just 'blip' the tank drain (or have an auto-drain) to get (most of) the water out of the bottom of the tank.  Freezing/winter weather requires that you make sure that there is no water to freeze in the drain pipe/valve (else the freezing and thus expanding water splits/breaks the valve/pipe).  BTDT.  The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:Thanks ... that all helps. Will likely get a 30 gallon for short cuts for the time being - but understand that I need another 240V circuit and a bigger compressor for any significant amount of work.
Reply:There are tons of slightly used compressors to be found on Craigslist.....at decent prices.  And, thanks for buying that Powermax45....you will like it!Jim Colt   Hypertherm
Reply:Would 5.5 cfm  at 90psi work? I'm getting ready to buy a plasma but my compressor is just that, 5.5 @ 90
Reply:It will work until the pressure gets below the minimum pressure that the plasma systems internal pressure switch will allow it to operate at. A Powermax45 uses 6 cfm @ 90 psi......your compressor produces less air than the plasma will use. It will cut for a period of time....then when the pressure is too low the plasma will shut down....and you will have towait for the compressor to run for a while and build pressure back up.Jim Colt   Hypertherm Originally Posted by ChancefieldWould 5.5 cfm  at 90psi work? I'm getting ready to buy a plasma but my compressor is just that, 5.5 @ 90
Reply:Originally Posted by ChancefieldWould 5.5 cfm  at 90psi work? I'm getting ready to buy a plasma but my compressor is just that, 5.5 @ 90
Reply:no one has mentioned that with the small air pump and small tank running hard that you will also be producing a lot of water due to condensation so even though you drain your tank constantly you will also need to have a good moisture separator at the tank plus at least a motor guard filter on the back of the 45 to save cutting tips. this is a case where bigger is definitely better.225NT bobcatAEAD200LEScott 125mm175, mm252 w 30A, PT225mm211, TA 181iHyper Therm 380, cut master 529100X & XX, Digital Elite6 Victor setssmith little torch, meco midget kalamazoo band sawsteel max saw evoulution circular saw
Reply:I've got a Powermax 30 with a CH 60 gal/3.5 hp compressor.  For short cuts it will use the thank for quite a while.  For longer cuts, a foot or more it will pretty much run most of the time until I give it a rest.  I've never had either the compressor or cutter stop because of not enough air regardless of the duty cycle I've put it through.
Reply:Originally Posted by LutherBakerI'm looking for decent quality (ie: I don't want to buy another one in a year) but at the same time, I'm afraid that a bigger one would just sit around most of the time until I needed to cut something.