Questions for TBN members who own plasma cutters

[dragoneggs]

I just went through the same thing. I really couldn't see spending the extra on a Hypertherm. I ended up using the "price match" page on Everlast's website and asked if they could match the AHP 60A AlphaCut price, they called with a really nice discount on the PowerPlasma 60s; so that's what I now have. Dollar for dollar I don't think I went wrong.

Dollar for dollar and depending on your needs, I doubt you went 'wrong'. I have gotten into the habit of buying better quality than I probably need, but that stems from long ago when I bought cheap and after building a couple houses and other things and had to buy again! :smiley_aafz:

I have adopted that philosophy to most all tools I buy now even though I may be going overboard. There is a sense of comfort except in my right rear pocket (where my wallet goes).

That said, I have my fair share of HF stuff where I consider it one time use, disposable, or I know I can modify it to do better than off the shelf (such as my sand blast cabinet).

 

[Sysop]

Agreed, I was torn between the 50A PowerPlasma at Everlast and the 60A AHP AlphaCut on a "cost versus needs" basis. After seeing the Everlast "price match" page mentioning "similar competitors" I thought I'd give it a whirl. Ended up with the 60A Everlast (which I had originally considered out of budget for my needs) at the same basic cost as the AHP, although I did have to pay $20 more on the shipping.

 

[dragoneggs]

Agreed, I was torn between the 50A PowerPlasma at Everlast and the 60A AHP AlphaCut on a "cost versus needs" basis. After seeing the Everlast "price match" page mentioning "similar competitors" I thought I'd give it a whirl. Ended up with the 60A Everlast (which I had originally considered out of budget for my needs) at the same basic cost as the AHP, although I did have to pay $20 more on the shipping.

I think the $20 or $50 will fade away very fast vs. the feeling that you have a decent quality machine that you aren't fighting with or second guessing your decision every time you are using it.

 

[Sysop]

Exactly, having the 60 versus the 50 provides a better duty cycle at the levels my typical cutting will occur. Eliminates a lot of concerns when doing a project. It was worth stepping up a few dollars over AHP's 60 for Everlast's 60. Better duty cycle, longer warranty, a little better hardware overall.

 

[pgk]

John,
I just noticed that you live about 15 minutes away from me, if you want your more than welcome to come up to my neck of the woods and try our my Plasma cutter, might help you to make a decision on what to buy???

Pete

 

[joeu235]

I built a pipe property entrance cutting the copes with a Hypertherm 30 XP. Air compressor was hooked up to a welder / generator and hypertherm connected directly to the compressor with no moisture mitigation other than draining every day. I had to change the consumables once over a week's work. I don't think dry air is as critical as many write about.

 

[TMGT]

I built a pipe property entrance cutting the copes with a Hypertherm 30 XP. Air compressor was hooked up to a welder / generator and hypertherm connected directly to the compressor with no moisture mitigation other than draining every day. I had to change the consumables once over a week's work. I don't think dry air is as critical as many write about.

Depends on what level of cut quality you need to maintain and also humidity levels, certain times of the year here you can fill up the air lines with water after a day of running. Dryer areas may not have as much issues with water.

 

[dragoneggs]

Depends on what level of cut quality you need to maintain and also humidity levels, certain times of the year here you can fill up the air lines with water after a day of running. Dryer areas may not have as much issues with water.

true enough and when you are watching your production costs/profits closely, it does matter. For me, I desire dry air but I cannot justify an expensive set up for my hobby use. I weld/cut/fab because I can, not for economic or efficiency reasons.

 

[joeu235]

true enough and when you are watching your production costs/profits closely, it does matter.

$16 of plasma consumables on a $6K job is basically zero.

 

[Jj1479]

I bought the 45xp a couple of months ago an love it. It was a big upgrade from the Hobart I had before.

 

[davedj1]

I'm just throwing this out there as another satisfied customer of Hypertherm. I cannot express how awesome their customer service is. I purchased a used Powermax 9000 (about 14 years old at the time) at a car show and not long after I had a no start problem. I had already downloaded the manual on line but really couldn't figure out what was going on. I called Hypertherms tech line and the gentleman on the line walked me through the diagnosis, turns out I had a bad trigger. Now that's service for a machine they had no vested interest in. I installed a new switch in the torch and life has been good every since
Thanks Hypertherm

 

[Budweiser John]

Great reference, and thanks.
I’ve located what I think to be a fair price at Welding Supplies.com for a model 45XP.
Liquidating some used assets from my former contracting company and looking forward reinvesting the proceeds in the plasma cutter.
Worked in the wood/carpentry trades for ever but am really enjoying a new found interest in hot iron.
B. John

 

[dragoneggs]

Great reference, and thanks.
I’ve located what I think to be a fair price at Welding Supplies.com for a model 45XP.
Liquidating some used assets from my former contracting company and looking forward reinvesting the proceeds in the plasma cutter.
Worked in the wood/carpentry trades for ever but am really enjoying a new found interest in hot iron.
B. John

You will love the 45XP... my first plasma cutter so I am not a good judge but after meeting Jim Colt and gang at Fabtech a couple years ago and getting to try it out at the show (when it was released) with a couple of minutes of guidance, I was sold. The drag tip is wonderful!

 

[lennyzx11]

Great reference, and thanks.
I’ve located what I think to be a fair price at Welding Supplies.com for a model 45XP.
Liquidating some used assets from my former contracting company and looking forward reinvesting the proceeds in the plasma cutter.
Worked in the wood/carpentry trades for ever but am really enjoying a new found interest in hot iron.
B. John

I just found that on their webpage per this post BudJohn.
Man, is it me or they don't make it easy to find on the webpage?
I still haven't figured out how to see the product details for it.
I'm also in the market and per the conversation here am interested.
I had wanted to go with a Hobart for brand loyalty but this one keeps being recommended.

 

[tomplum]

Great reference, and thanks.
I’ve located what I think to be a fair price at Welding Supplies.com for a model 45XP.
Liquidating some used assets from my former contracting company and looking forward reinvesting the proceeds in the plasma cutter.
Worked in the wood/carpentry trades for ever but am really enjoying a new found interest in hot iron.
B. John

All the years of woodworking will give good perspective and tools that will prove useful in dealing with metal for sure. Enjoy!

 

[cabinhollow]

I have a Hypertherm 85 on my 5'x10' table.
Each of the last two years I cut 1mil+ inches with it. Had a good order. This year I am on track to cut 600,000+ inches.
As someone said on the consumables, $16 of them for a $6000 job. I do not keep track of them. I do keep app $500 of them in stock.
I do not have a air dryer, but get 7000-8000 inches of cut in 14ga per set.
The most I have cut in one day was 43000 inches in 10ga. Took 6 sets of consumables.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Another happy Hypertherm owner. I had trouble getting a new locking nut to attach the torch cable to the main unit. They gave me a brand new (upgraded) torch. Not like I was a loyal customer or anything. They didn't know be from adam.

An outfit that repairs all major brands of welders and cutters tells me that ALL these machines are getting junkier, and disposable. Lots of inverter electronics and so forth. Less copper and steel. Shame!

 

[johncanfield]

And one more happy Hypertherm owner - I have a 45 that's a couple of years old. Made in the USA!

 

[davedj1]

I have a Hypertherm 85 on my 5'x10' table.
Each of the last two years I cut 1mil+ inches with it. Had a good order. This year I am on track to cut 600,000+ inches.
As someone said on the consumables, $16 of them for a $6000 job. I do not keep track of them. I do keep app $500 of them in stock.
I do not have a air dryer, but get 7000-8000 inches of cut in 14ga per set.
The most I have cut in one day was 43000 inches in 10ga. Took 6 sets of consumables.

How do you know when you need to change the consumables while cutting a large order? Thanks, I'm just curious.

 

[yomax4]

Pierces and moisture are the consumables killers. Everyone will have a different amount of pierces due to many variables in cut height pierce height pierce time ( assuming you have a torch height control ( Lifter ) ) Also assuming your moisture is under control, Hypertherm should be able to offer a guestemation on number of pierces on a given material thickness. So now that that doesn't answer your question, The easiest way to tell when to change parts is when cut quality starts to worsen.