thought I had something...wrong

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I bought a barely used HyperTherm PowerMax 380 a while back. Paid 550.00, research stated they cost around 12 to 1400.00 new. Used it a few times on thin stainless and carbon, it cut fair but reguardless of settings, always left slage seal on bottom of plate. I'm attempting to work with 3/8" plate and the plasma will sever but does not produce a clean cut. Any suggestions?Miller TrailBlazer 251Miller HF-250-1Miller MaxStar 150 STLHyperTherm PowerMax 380 plasmaLincoln PowerMig 180Millermatic 252Miller Diversion 180
Reply:Put the question to Jim Colt in the Hypertherm section.Im sure he will help.Cant imagine what it would be myself other than replacing torch consumables and checking air pressure.
Reply:Wagin,3/8" plate is maximum severance cut for that unit. The machine is rated for clean cutting to 3/16"....it is a low powered unit primarilly designed for use on sheet metal. It simply does not produce enough cutting power for clean cuts on 3/8" material.Best regards, Jim Colt
Reply:Originally Posted by jimcoltWagin,3/8" plate is maximum severance cut for that unit. The machine is rated for clean cutting to 3/16"....it is a low powered unit primarilly designed for use on sheet metal. It simply does not produce enough cutting power for clean cuts on 3/8" material.Best regards, Jim Colt
Reply:The 380 (no longer manufactured) is a 27 Amp output....it is one of the smallest plasma's we have ever produces....and is designed for light materials, light duty cycle. It has been replaced by the Powermax30.....which is rated for 1/4" with a severance capacity of 1/2"...and a 30 Am output. The 30 will operate on 120 or 240 volts as well.That being said....if you need to cut 3/8" or 1/2"....you need to specify a system that can do that type of cutting on a production basis....The Hypertherm Powermax1000 (60 Amps) is rated for 1/2", and will sever 1-1/4" (meaning it will pierce that material when used in a mechanized cutting application. The new Powermax45 (45 Amps) is rated for 3/8" production, and will sever 1".If you look at these systems on the  www.hypertherm.com  website you will see very clear definitions of their thickness capabilities. For older systems that are no longer manufactured....contact me and I will get you pierce and cut capability. There are a lot of used Powermax900's and Powermax1000's out there...either of which will do a good job on 1/2" material.Jim
Reply:Hi wagin the #80 is used primarily for sheet metal applications. It produces a quality cut in those applications with little to no dross (SLAG). HVAC and sheet metal roofers use it all the time. Sounds like the Powermax lineup might be right for you. I did an evaluation and performance test of my Hypertherm Powermax 45 against two Chinese manufactured 60 amp plasma cutter. The Hypertherm 45 amp unit beat the 60 amp units. The thread can be found here in the Other Manufactures forum.If the 380 will not meet your needs I strongly suggest selling it on EBAY, craigslist, local paper, or wander into your local roofer or sheet metal shop and show them what it can do! You'll have no problem selling it.TomCo-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:My first plasma was a Linde 30 amp transformer model.  It  was rated at 3/8", but I could do a better faster job with a torch.  On the smaller stuff it was great. SO when I was going to buy a new one, I figured I needed at least 60 amps, maybe 80.  The lws had a Hyper therm 600 (40 amps output).  The manager said "take it and try it"  I said naw, its too small.  He said try it anyhow if you don't like it, bring it back.   That was 2 years ago.  Its still in my shop and I wrote a check for it the next day.  40 amps on a newer machine WILL cut 1".  What a difference.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:thanks for the info. guys. Looking around, many peers recomend thermal dynamics cut master series. From what I have seen, the cost of these machines are somewhat higher than other. Are they worth it?Miller TrailBlazer 251Miller HF-250-1Miller MaxStar 150 STLHyperTherm PowerMax 380 plasmaLincoln PowerMig 180Millermatic 252Miller Diversion 180
Reply:From reading on this site, most people recommend the Hypertherm over the Thermal Dynamics.  It edges them out just a little.  I have also read here that the Hypertherm consumables hold up very well.  I was set on a Thermal Dynamcis Cutmaster 52, but for 150-300 more I think the new Hypertherm Powermax 45 is a good choice.
Reply:I was tossing up between the Thermal Dynamics and Hypertherm units and decided to go for the Hypertherm PowerMax45.Great machine.    I am still using the same consumables that were fitted when i got the machine.  Even after cutting that rail in the other post ( that cut was hard on the tip ).  I have a fair amout of cut time on them.  They still cut very clean up to and beyond the rated cut capacity.The service i got from the Australian Hypertherm distrbuter was second to none.  The Thermal Dynamics i would have to get from local welding supply where service is ok but is still second hand.If you havent already noticed,  i would say go for the Hypertherm unit.
Reply:Hey guys, I had to re-visit this thread to print a retraction. Today I had a small sheet metal job, 16ga, so I broke out the Hyp380 and gave her another try. Upon increasing my input and out put pressure, and dragging the tip, it performed beautifully. So I decided to test it with it's new variables and it cut 3/8" carbon like butter. Oh ya, I also increased my travel speed. I was running it like the older tech. plasmas, it didn't like it, my fault. Now we are getting along great!Miller TrailBlazer 251Miller HF-250-1Miller MaxStar 150 STLHyperTherm PowerMax 380 plasmaLincoln PowerMig 180Millermatic 252Miller Diversion 180
Reply:The more air I put to my 380, the thicker and faster it cuts.   Insufficient air really kills the performance.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op