Thinking of a Hypertherm Powermax 65.....

[jim_wilson]

And I'm wondering if anybody has one - how do they like it - any problems - what are the different options on the system ?, etc.

Eventually I'd like to get a CNC plasma table - but in the short term I'm going to build a pantograph table. I've already ordered one of
the tracer/pantograph setups from Rotten Leonard's and I'll build a table to go under it.

The tracer is setup to use a hand torch - as are some of the tables like the Plasmacam. What I'm wondering is - can I upgrade the Hypertherm
later to use a machine torch , or - can I (and should I) - just order it initially with the CNC card installed - and they use it with the hand torch
until I'm ready to use a table.

Or -alternatively - is there a way to interface into it with the CNC card and just use a footpedal or something like that to activate the torch while
I'm using it on the tracer setup?

 

[Shield Arc]

I've used three plasma cutters in my life. The first two I can't remember the name brands. The first time I ever used a plasma cutter was in 1976, so no way am I going to remember the brand name. The second plasma cutter I used was in the mid 1980's, again memory is not all that good. But I've owned a Hypertherm 1250 for almost 12-years now, can't say one bad word about it! Still impressed with it every time I scarf with it:cool2:. So much nicer than an air carbon arc!:thumbsup:

 

[jim_wilson]

I used to have an HTP plasma cutter , but I sold it a few years back to a co-worker because I just hadn't used it in a number of years and had no real shop to use it in at the time. I'm looking to do a lot more metalwork now and figure a plasma cutter is almost an essential tool.

 

[Shield Arc]

Plasma cutters are great for thin, and non-ferrous metal. But you'll still need an oxygen & acetylene / propane setup! I'd much rather use oxygen & acetylene for heat shrinking material.

 

[jim_wilson]

Plasma cutters are great for thin, and non-ferrous metal. But you'll still need an oxygen & acetylene / propane setup! I'd much rather use oxygen & acetylene for heat shrinking material.

At the moment I'm mostly interested in getting a setup going to do cutting. Plasma seems to be better choice for that - especially with the availability of the CNC plasma tables out there now.

If I was going to get back into doing custom auto body work I'd be looking at getting an O/A setup - I'll likely get one anyway, it's just not on the top of the list at the moment.

 

[Shield Arc]

Unless you're doing a lot of thin, or non-ferrous metal work. I consider a plasma cutter a luxury. My CNC table has a set up for O&A but I've never used it.

 

[jimcolt]

Not sure what you consider thin. My Powermax85 is used daily.....sometimes on my cnc table, sometimes with the hand torch. 95% of the cutting is steel....from 26 gauge up to an inch on the cnc, and up to 1-3/4" with the hand torch . I switch from hand torch to machine torch in 20 seconds with no tools, no gases to adjust. Consumable last for 600 to 1200 starts on the cnc and it seems like for months on the hand torch (not used quite as much). My oxyfuel torches are used only for loosening stuck, rusty bolts and for bending / heating.
I am showing some typical daily work....some steel, some aluminum, some stainless. The cuts are fast, use no compressed gases, cost pennies per foot of cut. Yes the plasma costs more to purchase, but the more you use it...the cheaper it is. The shim job (1/8" steel) in the pictures consisted of 800 shims, after material and overhead were paid it cleared $800 in 2-1/2 hours work. Typical cnc plasma with a Hypertherm afternoon! Not a luxury in my shop, its the major money maker!

Here are a few pics of plasma cuts:

Unless you're doing a lot of thin, or non-ferrous metal work. I consider a plasma cutter a luxury. My CNC table has a set up for O&A but I've never used it.

 

[Shield Arc]

Jim you have to remember, I'm old, old school! I remember being on jobs when we were glad to have an O&A torch. A lot of times we cut the material by cranking up the old engine drive and using 6010 to cut with.

 

[jim_wilson]

Not sure what you consider thin. My Powermax85 is used daily.....sometimes on my cnc table, sometimes with the hand torch. 95% of the cutting is steel....from 26 gauge up to an inch on the cnc, and up to 1-3/4" with the hand torch . I switch from hand torch to machine torch in 20 seconds with no tools, no gases to adjust. Consumable last for 600 to 1200 starts on the cnc and it seems like for months on the hand torch (not used quite as much). My oxyfuel torches are used only for loosening stuck, rusty bolts and for bending / heating.
I am showing some typical daily work....some steel, some aluminum, some stainless. The cuts are fast, use no compressed gases, cost pennies per foot of cut. Yes the plasma costs more to purchase, but the more you use it...the cheaper it is. The shim job (1/8" steel) in the pictures consisted of 800 shims, after material and overhead were paid it cleared $800 in 2-1/2 hours work. Typical cnc plasma with a Hypertherm afternoon! Not a luxury in my shop, its the major money maker!

Here are a few pics of plasma cuts:



View attachment 329666View attachment 329667View attachment 329668View attachment 329669View attachment 329664View attachment 329665View attachment 329663

Jim,

I'd really like to get a plasma table - eventually. For the short run - I'm working on putting together a tracer table as that will allow me to do most of what I want to do in the short run. I've been reading up on the PlasmaCam table some (not sure if that is what I would go with but it's one option) - and also on the Hypertherm products. I saw somewhere in the literature that the Powermax 65 can be setup with a CNC card? - and that is an option that can be installed when the unit is purchased - or installed later...??. Do any of the "consumer" plasma tables need the CNC card - and is it a good idea to get the card installed when I purchase the machine or just wait til later (if it's even needed at all).

To me plasma is the way to go. Like you said - more costly in the beginning - but it will make the money back over time. If I'm going to do a lot of cutting - I'd prefer to avoid having to swap tanks out. My experience is they always run out at the worst time.

 

[Shield Arc]

This is the brand of CNC table I have. All I had to do was hook up two wires inside the 1250.
Jim is correct it does take about 20-seconds to switch from the machine torch to the hand held torch. They couldn't have made it any easier!:cool2:

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