Need advice on Plasma Cutter - 375 or 625?

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I've been watching this forum for the last year or so, and I really have learned alot from you guys with "real life" experience.  Thanks.I'm a home-schooled welder who "graduated" from my HF to a Miller 210 back at the beginning of the year.  Man, what a sweet machine!I'm now trying to decide on which Plasma Cutter to add to the shop.  I've studied all the literature and have narrowed it down to either the Miller 375 or the 625.  I know that the basic rule of thumb is to "buy the biggest you can afford" ... but I wanted to get a little more info from those of you who have used these machines for awhile.Probably 90% of what I cut will be 1/4" steel or less.  Occasionally some 3/8" steel and 1/4 - 3/8" aluminum.  And, very rarely I anticipate wanting to hack thru some 1/2" steel.  Most of my materials come from salvage yards, so there is likely to be paint and/or moderate rust on the surfaces.  Also, I do all my work in my shop, so the portability of the 375's 115 volt does not really come into play.What do you think?  Will the 375 be able to handle what I need?  There is about a $400-450 difference in price on the two, so it makes for a tough decision.  I also notice that the 625 seems to offer "extended" tips, which the 375 does not.  When would I want to use that feature?Not having a plasma cutter at all right now, I am sure that I will be thrilled with either, but I am wondering about a year down the road.  Thanks for the seasoned advice!
Reply:ErichI'd suggest going to your nearest dealer and trying them.  Check out  the cutting rate for metal you are interested.  I would take some various size metal and see how they cut. While they will cut at the rated capacity, as the cut rate gets longer comfort becomes an issue. The rust will also affect the cut rate.  As I recall faster than 10in/min was practical hand cutting rate.      I used to own a cutter rated for 1/4.  While it would zip through 1/16", at 1/8" it was uncomfortably slow, yet still cut cleanly.
Reply:I'd suggest going for the 625 (or larger).  I had been looking at the Hypertherm 380 or 600.  The thing that I had been told was that even though the 380 would technically do most of what I needed, the extra capacity of the 600 would do things a lot neater and a lot faster.  I ended up finding a used 1100 (what is now the 1250), so I really took a jump beyond what I needed!  However, it cost me less than what a 600 would have cost new.  Most of what I do it barely even notices that it is cutting.  Nice clean cuts and about as fast as I would ever want to work.  Plus, when I'm cutting down scrap it can sever more than an inch of steel!
Reply:You lucky dog you.
Reply:Hypertherm or Miller.  there are build as a joint venture.Very Good quality