Plasma Cutter recommendations.

[shaeff]

I love my Hypertherm Powermax 45. Little experience with other brands, but my HT cuts through pretty much anything that conducts electricity. I don't even grind paint or millscale off, I make a clean spot for the ground and cut away.

Edit: there is no standoff required or drag shield for the Hypertherm. The screw on end (forget what they call it ) can be dragged right across whatever you're cutting.

 

[Big Barn]

From reading a lot of older posts, I see where the Hyper Therm allows "Drag Cutting".

Does this mean you can drag the electrode on the workpiece instead of having to maintain a certain gap? Do other machines not allow that? Does it eat up consumables faster if you drag it on the workpiece?

On the Miller, the drag tip is essentially a standoff that helps maintain a correct electrode distance from the workpiece.

 

[Big Barn]

Miller drag shield


Left to right: Miller 100 amp drag shield, 40 amp drag shield, 40 amp gouge shield, 40 amp tip.

 

[TractorGuy]

I use a guide and just drag the tip. I clamp a piece of angle or even a piece of 1/4" flat bar on what ever I'm cutting to use as a guide. No way my nerves could cut a straight line without it.

My Colossal Tech Cut 50F has pilot arc. It came with a wire stand off that clips onto the ceramic shield which got burned up in the early phase of testing. It honestly just got in the way so I took it off and chunked it. I pierce and cut by putting the cutting tip right on the metal and drag it. I could have probably saved a couple of bucks buying a unit without the pilot arc but I only paid $300 for this unit with a handful of consumables.

I have 2 or 3 hours cutting with it but I didn't have to replace the tip until the last 15 minutes of use.

 

[BufordBoone]

Lots of great replies. Lots of info. I have a much better understanding now.

I want a Hypertherm but will probably purchase a more affordable unit as I'm just learning.


Thanks to all.

 

[johncanfield]

I love my Hypertherm Powermax 45. Little experience with other brands, but my HT cuts through pretty much anything that conducts electricity. I don't even grind paint or millscale off, I make a clean spot for the ground and cut away.

Edit: there is no standoff required or drag shield for the Hypertherm. The screw on end (forget what they call it ) can be dragged right across whatever you're cutting.

Huh? I bought Hypertherm drag shields for my 45.

 

[Big Barn]

Huh? I bought Hypertherm drag shields for my 45.

I’m pretty certain you are both correct. Hypertherm calls it a shielded consumable. Creative marketing at play.....

 

[dragoneggs]

I’m pretty certain you are both correct. Hypertherm calls it a shielded consumable. Creative marketing at play.....

Yes, my 45XP came with a drag tip. Don't know the formal name for it.

 

[Big Barn]

Yes, my 45XP came with a drag tip. Don't know the formal name for it.

I believe it’s a dragON tip.

 

[TMGT]

It's just a sheild/deflector for drag-cutting, there are about 7+ different types of shields for the current Hypertherm air plasma's depending on application, not including the different amp rating shields for some styles.