Shield Arc
Super Member
Thank you.
Yes it is aluminum, 1" x 1" x 1/8" angle bolted to a magnetic burning square.
Which plasma cutter?
- Thread starter Carol in CA
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yomax4
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I hate to do this again I really do. Ok. All Plasma power supplies are now created "fairly" equal. Miller and Hypertherm are not "Made in USA" they are assembled here. How do I know. Ask your LWS or I can send you labels off of the boxes. I have a Power Max 45 Hypertherm and after removing the cover I notice 4 countries of origin right off the bat. 60 amp and up Thermal Dynamics are made in their own plant in Mexico and Lincoln has a Mexico plant as well. Miller parts come from all over the world and use an "Antique" Hyperthem torch on the 3 years old and older units. New Millers use a Trafemet torch similar to the one used by Everlast. Good torch with inexpensive consumables until you put the Miller name on them. No one actually builds their own power supplies in the USA anymore. That being said I would go with Warranty as my main concern and here is why. 3.5 years ago I got a deal on a new Hypertherm power max 45. 2K plasma. Ok fine. 3 years and 3 months later it blew up.. I asked Hypertherm for help and they laughed at me.... So, If I would have bought a Thermal Dynamics or an Everlast,( best warranties in the industry ) I would still be cutting today with a unit that was covered under warranty. Like I said at 1st. I hate to hash this again because Jim Colt from Hypertherm will come on here and BS the Crap out everyone like he always does and promise to solve all issues when in reality he has NO STROKE at all just Hot Air. ( done that ) Buy warranty that's where it's at on complicated Plasma.. Mig, Tig and Stick are simple units and a different animal that can cause a whole long discussion for another time.
Jim in ICT
Gold Member
She's buying used. As is, where is - no warranty. Either brand is a quality product.
muddstopper
Veteran Member
I have a older miller 625, 220v only. It cuts better than I can. I talked to a miller rep this week about their machines. ( he was doing demos of the new Miller 141 110v wire welders) Country of orgin and assembled are meaningless terms now days. Miller research and designs are mostly done here in the USA. Most of the parts are also built by miller in the US. Its the electronics that are sourced all over. Germany, Belgum, Swizterland, Japan, China, etc. Its the same with Lincoln, Esab and pretty much every one else. Lincoln does code their machines as far as assembly point. A U in the front of the Serial number designates USA. M= Mexico, I=Italy. Still those machines are only assembled in those countries. With the changes in consumer laws, any machine has to have something like 95% of its parts manufactured in the country of orgin in order to be considered a Built in USA. or Built in Mexico, etc. With the newer technologies, most of the electronics are not made in the USA, are usually bought in bulk, and then assembled somewhere else. Because these parts where not USA built and make up more than 5% of the components of the machine, the machine can not be labled Made in USA. Face the facts, even if you wished to build your own machine from scratch, you would have to buy parts not made in the USA and even though you did all the work in your basement, you still couldnt legally call it made in the USA.
Jesse masterson
Platinum Member
No matter were it's made I love my hypertherm600
Mark @ Everlast
Advertiser
The thing is, if it isn't virtually all made in America, the FTC allows the company to make a qualified claim of Made in America from U.S. and foreign components. This would be what they could claim if it wasn't all or virtually all if it was close...and they could even state the % content. A broader statement of "Assembled in USA" means the final product transformation can take place but must also include a good bit of US made product.
The thing is....
% content is determined by the overall cost of manufacture...not total amount of parts. From what I've read on the FTC site, the units could have one or two high dollar parts with hundreds of inexpensive items (made at lower wages of course) that don't amount to much in terms of dollar amount of manufacture and still slide by as Made in USA or even Assembled in USA. I would expect that more than a few companies are in violation of these but hoping their reputation will keep them insulated from the scrutiny.
The thing is....
% content is determined by the overall cost of manufacture...not total amount of parts. From what I've read on the FTC site, the units could have one or two high dollar parts with hundreds of inexpensive items (made at lower wages of course) that don't amount to much in terms of dollar amount of manufacture and still slide by as Made in USA or even Assembled in USA. I would expect that more than a few companies are in violation of these but hoping their reputation will keep them insulated from the scrutiny.
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OP
Carol in CA
Member
OK. Back on rack here. Neither of those units turned out to be available. I wish when people sell something they would take down the ad or at the least call or email back. Rant off.
Now I found a 375 miller spectrum plasma cutter. Thoughts? $650.
Now I found a 375 miller spectrum plasma cutter. Thoughts? $650.
Mark @ Everlast
Advertiser
Is it the extreme? If it's not, I'd keep looking if it's used. Keep in mind it's only a 27 amp unit.
roadhunter
Elite Member
Me too!
Big Barn
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Carol, I have the older Spectrum 300 ( also 27 amp). I bought it new over 15 years ago. I think it is rated 3/8 inch but I feel that it grossly underpowered. I leave it as a dedicated machine for cutting sheets of material 10gauge ( a little thicker than 1/8") or less as I don't have a big shear.
I would suggest getting a price from Mark for a brand new Everlast.
Terry
Mark @ Everlast
Advertiser
I've used the 325 and 325 xtreme, and they've come up a notch in performance. I like the extreme and feel it does have a little more power than the older style 325. It's not a heavy plate cutter for sure but they are capable of 1/4 fairly easily and more if pushed.
muddstopper
Veteran Member
My 625 is 40 amps, and I tend to agree, just on the verge of being to small.
FredH
Platinum Member
Thermal ARC 5XR Plasma cutter
Looks like it is just north of Glendale , posted 2 days ago. Know nothing about it or who it is But ??? That price , may be worth looking into .
Fred H.
Looks like it is just north of Glendale , posted 2 days ago. Know nothing about it or who it is But ??? That price , may be worth looking into .
Fred H.
OP
Carol in CA
Member
The Hypertherm 380 came back on the market. I am going to look at it tomorrow afternoon. She is asking $650. Been on Craigslist for 22 days. She says lots of calls and a lot of no-shows. What am I looking for? Its in her storage yard so not likely to be able to fire it up even if I knew how! Learning, learning, learning.
Also wondering about the price. Tad high?
This machine is at the bare minimum for the project I have in mind. Most of the cuts will be in 1/4" and down. There a couple of 3/8" and a couple of 1/2" cuts. Can I get by? Likely will sell this stuff when the project is complete. But then again, maybe not!
Learning, learning, learning.Also wondering about the price. Tad high?
This machine is at the bare minimum for the project I have in mind. Most of the cuts will be in 1/4" and down. There a couple of 3/8" and a couple of 1/2" cuts. Can I get by? Likely will sell this stuff when the project is complete. But then again, maybe not!
yomax4
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I would go with an older 50 or 60 amp unit. I see used ones of assorted brands for less than $650 and will do much better on 3/8 and 1/2 than that little 38. IMHO.
yomax4
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The 5XR is a transformer unit though 2x larger than an inverter it will last forever. If it's cheap enough you can put a new style torch on it. They are available for a reasonable price used too. I think I have a couple laying around.
