Xtrem 375 or powerarc 30

[ericher69]

Scooby074;

I am considering the power max 30 because the 45 is much more $$ and I have a set of victor style torched for thicker material than 1/2"

Cost is much more for an extra 1/8 inch?

Not worth it for me

 

[jimcolt]

The Hypertherm Powermax45 provides quite a bit more capability than just another 1/8". It can pierce and cut 1/2" material on a cnc machine at much higher speeds and duty cycles as compared to the 30....the 30 is designed for low duty cycle hand cutting applications, as well as for its ability to operate on 120 VAC power. The 45 has a quick disconnect torch (hand and machine torches available), has an internal cnc machine interface plug for mechanized applications, and much more power in terms of kW output as compared to the 30. You can consider the 45 as more of an industrial focused machine....as all of the larger Hypertherm units are.

Attached are some pictures of parts cut with my Powermax45 in my home shop....which I use on both a PlasmaCam and a Torchmate cnc machine.

Jim Colt

first pic: 1/2" steel parts for a logsplitter, 2nd pic:1/4" steel with holes from 3/16" to 1.5" as cut, 3rd pic: 1/4" steel bracket, all holes cut with the Powermax45....some tapped 1/4"-20, others countersunk, last pic: 1-1/2" steel being severed with the Powermax45!

Scooby074;

I am considering the power max 30 because the 45 is much more $$ and I have a set of victor style torched for thicker material than 1/2"

Cost is much more for an extra 1/8 inch?

Not worth it for me

 

[jake98]

That's pretty impressive Jim! :thumbsup: Those holes look like they were drilled.

 

[Scooby074]

Scooby074;

I am considering the power max 30 because the 45 is much more $$ and I have a set of victor style torched for thicker material than 1/2"

Cost is much more for an extra 1/8 inch?

Not worth it for me

That makes sense. But after just buying 2 tanks of both oxy and ace for my torches during my splitter build, id say save up and buy the bigger. I burned through a TON of gas cutting the 1/2 and 3/4 plate for my splitter, especially doing the bevels for the wedges. And at ~$120 a fill for both tanks the difference between the two machines will be made up on a few products. I spent $240 on gas for just this one project, and gas aint getting any cheaper in the future

Once i get my 45 my torch is going to get relegated to heating duty only. Its just too expensive to run.

 

[IslandTractor]

I bought the 30 because I wanted to use 110v but for about $500 more I think the 45 is actually a better deal so long as you have 220v everywhere you need to use it.

 

[jimcolt]

This splitter wedge was cut with my Powermax45....it is 1" steel cut at a 45 degree bevel....which is about 1.4"....slow cut (about 4 inches per minute) but nice. Every piece on this splitter was cut with the 45. Notice the log shelf with my last name cut into it...this is so my friends remember where they borrowed the splitter!
Jim Colt

That makes sense. But after just buying 2 tanks of both oxy and ace for my torches during my splitter build, id say save up and buy the bigger. I burned through a TON of gas cutting the 1/2 and 3/4 plate for my splitter, especially doing the bevels for the wedges. And at ~$120 a fill for both tanks the difference between the two machines will be made up on a few products. I spent $240 on gas for just this one project, and gas aint getting any cheaper in the future

Once i get my 45 my torch is going to get relegated to heating duty only. Its just too expensive to run.

 

[ericher69]

Jim Colt;

Ok u convinced me to save up and wait!

What did that CNC set up run you?

Pretty sweet!

 

[deereman75]

jim how many amps does the powermax 45 draw at max output?

 

[jimcolt]

It varies depending on what input voltage the unit is connected to. There also are two ratings...the normal draw for cutting what it is advertised for cutting....and a higher draw for those that like to cut thicker than the unit is designed for!

All of this info is on the Hypertherm | Plasma Cutters | Plasma Cutting Equipment | Metal Cutting Equipment site...but here are the basics:

At 200 volts single phase input the current draw is 34 amps, at 230 volt single phase the unit draws 28 Amps.

Jim

 

[jimcolt]

I have a Torchmate 2' x 4' cnc with torch height control...it retails for around $7500 without the plasma. I also have a PlasmaCam 4' x 4' machine with height control....it retails for aroung $12,000 without plasma. Each paid for themselves with about 6 months of part time work. They are just hobby machines for me....and I only do a limited amount of paid work with them.

Jim

Jim Colt;

Ok u convinced me to save up and wait!

What did that CNC set up run you?

Pretty sweet!