Hypertherm Powermax 30?

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I am very new to welding but already need a plasma cutter, but for a while will only have 110 volt so need to stick to that. I was looking at the Miller Xtreme and this one and many reviews show this to be the better choice. I will rarely cut anything thicker than 1/8, mostly sheet metal and thin stock. This is the only thing sold locally from our welding supplier, and like to buy local when I can. Any thoughts?
Reply:I have been welding for quite some time and have always gotten away using a chop saw, O/A rig, or a jig saw but, like you, I have finally come to the place where I needed a plasma cutter.  I also looked high and low and read everything I could find and the PM30 was what I landed on too.  My LWS store did not carry hypertherm so I ordered one. I have yet to find time to use it but it sure is a nice little rig!StephenMillermatic 251Miller Syncrowave 200Miller 30A SpoolgunHypertherm Powermax 30Etc., etc., etc.............Cancer Sucks!
Reply:Im sure the Hypertherm would be the better choice.I have the PM45 and its a great machine.  If you have a look in the Hypertherm section, ther is some info and demo's of the PM 30 in action.The Miller would be a good machine, but i think the Hypertherm would be that little bit better.
Reply:I own a Powermax30, Powermax45, and a Powermax1000, I also work for Hypertherm....so I am slightly biased! The 45 stays connected to my PlasmaCam cnc machine, the 1000 stays under the bench and is only used when I have some heavy duty plate cutting or some dismatling work...the Powermax30 stays on my welding cart with the MIG welder....it is used daily to cut 1/4" wall rectangular tubing to length ( a regular repeat job that I do in my shop)....it is way faster than my horizontal band saw, and I have designed a little jig that slide over the 2x3 and 2x4 tubing to get perfect miter cuts every time. I have been using the same consumables in the 30 for close to a year with a lot of cutting...and that is no exaggeration!The Powermax30:-Can operate on 120 volt or 230 volt- Is about the size of a toaster- Has the best consumable life in the business for portable hand held plasma- Is made in the USA by employee/owners of Hyperthem- Is extremely simple to use, and the torch is designed for drag and template cutting...great visibilityThe Miller unit is good as well...the torch is produced for them by Hypertherm, although it is not the same torch that is on the Powermax30. The Hypertherm has a little more power (I have severed 5/8", pictures attached with dross still on the cuts....cuts dross free to 1/4") and a higher duty cycle rating, and usually is less expensive.There is some great info on the Powermax30 on the Hypertherm website, here is a link:https://www.hypertherm.com/en/Produc...powermax30.jspJim Attached ImagesLast edited by jimcolt; 09-03-2010 at 09:22 AM.
Reply:PM30 is a nice machine.Remember that you do have to 'feed' it some nice clean dry compressed air, as well as the electricity.  A 'bigger' 120V air compressor is pretty much needed to feed the machine with enough air for most anything other than the shortest cuts.  You need a compressor that can supply more than the PM30's appetite of approximately 4 cfm at 90 psi.And also remember that the compressor and the plasma cutter would have to be on -separate- 120V circuits to really be able to work.  Preferably separate 20 amp 120V circuits.  The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:The Powermax 30 can cut at about 25 Amps output (of 30 amp capacity) when operated on a standard 20 Amp 120 volt household circuit. You can do quick cuts.....such as cutting off a 1/2" bolt at 30 amps output....but extended use on 120 volt 20 amp breakers will cause the breaker to trip. For continuous full output on a 120 volt line....you would need a 30 amp circuit. On 230 volts...the unit will run fine on a 15 amp circuit.MoonRise is correct..the Powermax30 uses all of the power in a 120 volt circuit!Jim
Reply:The PM is the way to go...I thought hard for a month or so and purchased one 15 months ago and it really cuts great.... and my nozzle and electrode is still cutting fine ...although I changed it to say I did but when I do some dismantling I throw the original on...and it even cuts body panels and metal roofing without burning off the paint when its dialed down to about 16-17 amps... the PM 45 and lot of competitors go 20 amp and up I'm glad I got the littel guy as I cut alot of roofing with it.....you can't go wrong with the PM 30 Good luck on your decision...AMERICAN MADE IS THE WAY TO GO!!!!!! Right here on our soil by the owner/employees.....Lincoln 225 Tombstone,Miller Big 20,Hobart 180,150' Argon,A/D hobart hood 22 Ton Log splitter,79 F350 dump eats 4.75 TONS and still turns cutters,grinders,And a  Hypertherm POWERMAX 30
Reply:My PlasmaCam has a PM-30 on it wired for 220.  It's an awesome combination for the work I'm doing.  Do I wish I'd bought a 45?  Not really.Will I be getting a bigger cutter in the future?  Sure, and it will be another Hypertherm.
Reply:The Powermax 30 is one of the best tool investments I've made.
Reply:I tried both the Miller and Hypertherm.  Almost indentical but I prefer the PM30 because the cutting head is smaller (easier to see material) and I believe the consumables are cheaper.