Just some FYI on Miller & Hypertherm

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I am writing this post just as some info on my personal expierence. I was in the market for a small plasma cutter recently and was torn between the hypertherm powermax 30 and the miller spectrum 375 xtreme. I did lots of research and found that both machines were quite similar, slight edge to the hypertherm due to them being supposed "experts" in the plasma cutter industry. So hear it goes, I bought the powermax 30 and used it for about a month, it performed as expected and worked for my needs. I had the opertunity to exchange the powermax 30 for the miller 375 xtreme at the same cost. I went ahead and did it because of the nice miller xcase and packability of the 375 exteme. I use the cutter at various locations and it gets thrown in a truck alot. I figured both are similar units ill go ahead and switch to the miller for my reasons stated above. Well i have to say after now using the miller here is what i found. The cut is not nearly as precise and straight, it is rather finicky when it comes to the air pressure. The pressure has to be set just right to keep the light from coming on and cutting out the arc. The torch safety trigger mechanism is not nearly as smooth to operate as the hypertherm. So in comparison the hypertherm is deffinatly a better unit, just seems to function and cut noticibly better. So i am just writing this so if anyone is in  the same boat as I was about deciding on these units, go with  hypertherm. Im in the process of ditching the miller for a hypertherm powermax 45. That should solve all my problems and then some.
Reply:The first and only plasma cutter I bought was the Hypertherm Powermax 1000 and I am completely satisfied. I do a lot of fab work for trash collection vehicles and landfill maintenance so lots of dirty cuts, I have never had a problem with it and the learning curve was very small. Just as a side I also use an oxy/propylene setup quite regularly I have an acetylene setup but it just collects dust for the most part. I have cut complex shapes into rusty steel up to 1 1/4" with my plasma cutter. The best thing about it is using an old part for a template. It was not a necessary purchase but it has definately made my life easier. Propylene is the way to go with the acetylene shortage that is most definately coming, Propylene is used in many, many manufacturing processes and there is plenty to go around. Just be careful with the pressures.I can weld that up!
Reply:the main difference between the 2 is the torch itself... I wanted to get the miller too because it seemed it would be the perfect "match" to my dynasty 200, but the hypertherm edges it out slightly in efficency. that, and the newer torch design made the hypertherm a better choice on paper too me...miller 330a bp TIGmiller dynasty 200DX TIGmillermatic 185 MIGthermal dynamics cutmaster 101 plasma cuttersnap-on YA5550 plasma cutterhypertherm powermax 30 plasma cutterbaileigh CS225 cold sawetc....
Reply:While Hypertherm produces the torch for the Miller unit, it is of a different design as compared to the torch used on the Powermax30, that will account for differences in cut quality and consumable life betwen the two. The power supplies will also create some differences in performance....it is not simmply an amperage vs amperage comparison that produces power....rather it is the capability of the power supply to produce killowatt output.....calculated as output amperage x output voltage. A power supply with better efficiency, better duty cycle and a better ability to maintain both amperage and voltage output will produce thicker faster cuts...of course it must be coupled with a decent torch design as well.While I work for Hypertherm and you certainly have to take my comments with a grain of salt....I use the Powermax30 in my home shop quite often...and have always been impressed with it's cutting capability in terms of thickness, speed, and consumable life...all in a package about the size of a two slice toaster. I have used two nozzles in the unit over almost 4 years...the consumable life is amazing. I do operate my Powermax30 on 230 volts, as it requires a 30 amp 120 volt circuit if you expect full output capacity on a 120 volt line. I have used it on 120 volts often for remote cutting, often running off a generator....and it works great.Trading up to the Powermax45......it will surprise you what a difference 15 more amps, shielded torch technology, and a lot more killowatts will do!Best regards, Jim Colt Originally Posted by rob0075I am writing this post just as some info on my personal expierence. I was in the market for a small plasma cutter recently and was torn between the hypertherm powermax 30 and the miller spectrum 375 xtreme. I did lots of research and found that both machines were quite similar, slight edge to the hypertherm due to them being supposed "experts" in the plasma cutter industry. So hear it goes, I bought the powermax 30 and used it for about a month, it performed as expected and worked for my needs. I had the opertunity to exchange the powermax 30 for the miller 375 xtreme at the same cost. I went ahead and did it because of the nice miller xcase and packability of the 375 exteme. I use the cutter at various locations and it gets thrown in a truck alot. I figured both are similar units ill go ahead and switch to the miller for my reasons stated above. Well i have to say after now using the miller here is what i found. The cut is not nearly as precise and straight, it is rather finicky when it comes to the air pressure. The pressure has to be set just right to keep the light from coming on and cutting out the arc. The torch safety trigger mechanism is not nearly as smooth to operate as the hypertherm. So in comparison the hypertherm is deffinatly a better unit, just seems to function and cut noticibly better. So i am just writing this so if anyone is in  the same boat as I was about deciding on these units, go with  hypertherm. Im in the process of ditching the miller for a hypertherm powermax 45. That should solve all my problems and then some.
Reply:Originally Posted by jimcoltBest regards, Jim Colt
Reply:i have the 375 not the extreme its a great machinewhy do you think they still sell the reg. 375its not a inverter so its cheep to fix