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I've been pining for a plasma cutter for a while. Generally, I'm pretty frugal about things, so I've been looking for a used one, but really haven't found anything decent on the market. At this point, I figure that I should pony up for a new one. I've settled on a Hypertherm unit, I just don't know which to get. I don't think I'll really ever need to cut >1/2" stock, but I get involved in some weird business sometimes. However, I only want to do this once and I can afford the larger unit. Any practical advice would be welcome. Hell, I'd even take impractical advice.-Heath
Reply:youll never complain about too much machine....only to littleIF it Catches...Let it Burn
Reply:The cutting speed is very important. Assuming you are doing hand cutting, as I recall from my experience anything under 10in/min is slow for hand cutting. Fewer inches/min can be very frustrating. Thus, consider what average gauge metal you will cut and look at the cut speed charts in the spec. Also look a the duty cycle and compare both chart. How many times will you have to stop within a given time? This makes a big difference if you are cutting sheet steel. Take some scrap to your local vender and test drive a plasma cutter. This is my experience/preference.
Reply:consider 10in/min cutting speed 48in sheet metal implies 4.8 min cutting time. Suppose a duty cycle of 40% implies 4min of cutting+6min of rest+48sec = approx 11min. It is late but I think I am correct.
Reply:I have the HT 600 and love it. This cut made in 1/4" plate took about 3 seconds......tops.For the stuff I cut its my favorite toy.
Reply:If you can swing it, definitely go with the larger machine. I ended up finding a used 1100 (comparable to the new 1250) and it is NICE! Upgraded to the RT-80 torch and anything from sheet metal to 3/4" plate comes out smooth and clean (haven't had a chance to play with anything over 3/4" so far...).
Reply:I have a Hypertherm 350 that I bought used that works well for me. The person I purchased it from had purchased the Hypertherm 1000. The 350 had worked well for him but he wanted to go to the 1000 as he had been needing to cut thicker metal than the 350 could handle. The 350 does a good job for me for cutting materials 1/4" or so I have never tried anything thicker than 3/8 as I was having some trouble cutting the 3/8 with it. I have bought comsumable's off of Hypertherm's sight they are great people to deal with.
Reply:Halbritt, I have a hypertherm 1000. If you would rarely cut 1/2 material then the choice would be a 600. I have cut 1 1/4 plate before with the 1000 . I think the 600 will cut 5/8" max. all depends how slow you go. I did have my unit burn out the circuit board before. I think the fan failed to come on and it fried everything inside. The warrantee was 3 months over the 3 year mark. They covered the repairs anyway. Thats the difference when you get a good vendor. ANyhow, I couldnt do without it and was well worth the money spent for it.Johnny
Reply:As long as you take care of the machine, you can get a nice price for the 600 and trade up to a new 1XXX model later. You see used ones out of warranty sell for only a couple or three hundred less than new. I'd just chalk that up to rent and move on up later.Also, if you can make a few hundred bucks off your work, you can declare the income as "hobby income" on your federal taxes and expense the purchase off income, and declare a small income loss on the purchase in that year. You cant do this forever without the risk of an audit, but it is legitimate if you eventually expect to make a reasonable amount of income off your hobby. Sometimes it is beneficial to declare ALL income and ALL expenses. Just an extraneous thought there...Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'. |
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发表于 2021-9-1 01:00:44