Tools & Fabrication - plasma Cutter tech

Anyone have experience with Hypertherm or some of the other brands other than Esab and Miller?

Currently have an Esab thats been kicking it since 1996, and looking to get into something that will sever 1/2-5/8.

Ive not heard a lot about them, and would like to keep my arsenal miller blue, but doing research, not sure which way to go.

Louis

Louis,
I usually go blue - i personally have the Miller 375, and it's awesome! If i were to do it again i would get a miller but more power. The 375 will cut 1/2" steel slowly... You can not go wrong with Hypertherm or Thermal Dynamics - i believe thermal dynamics started it all?

Hypertherm makes the best plasma, bar none in the portable market. I have run everything from lincoln, to miller to esabs, the hypertherms are amazing, and have the longest consumable life. What is your budget? I say this because getting a slightly larger plasma than you need is very beneficial, because the cut speed and quality increase alot. I bought the powermax 45, it's rated to 1/2" but will cut 1" thick fairly clean. It buzzes through 1/4" and cut's 1/8" as fast as you can pull the torch almost. You can find it on sale for ~$1500-1700 usually...

We have a Thermal Dynamic cut master 52. Havn't had it very long but it works great.

Budget was 1000$-1200, but looks like Ill be bumping that up.

Hypertherm powermax 45 looks like itll do the job well, but pricey at 1800ish.

Hypertherm powermax 30 will just meet the specs, and be close to budget.

How is parts availability and long term life of the hypertherm line?

Louis,

We use Powermax900's at my shop and they absolutly kick ass. parts are MORE available than Miller or Esab counterparts. that MAY be just in our area, but parts are always on the shelf at AirGas. I work with some real idiots too, and these machines get ABUSED, but keep on working.

bought a harbor freight plasma cutter for $599 ,it dose ok.they have a nice info video for learning.U tube has some good video for learning about basic welding and stuff.

i wasted my money on a snap on plasma cutter- it sucks. my friends shop has a miller and its half the size and price of my snap on and works amazing

I went in to the store to buy a miller and they talked me into a thermal dynamics. Spent about $2200 on it and I love it.

I have a Thermal Dynamics master pak 50 and it has been working great for years.

Dont waste your money on the smaller ones they suck!!! I have this snap on one http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=yes&tool=all&item_ID=93891&group_ID=34676&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
Cuts threw anything like butter!!

Dont waste your money on the smaller ones they suck!!! I have this snap on one http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=yes&tool=all&item_ID=93891&group_ID=34676&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
Cuts threw anything like butter!!

I love Snap On tools, but that is overpriced junk.....

Just like their welders.

Hypertherm Is the way to go, thermal dynamics if you are on a budget..

Ive cut 1 1/4" thick steel plate with a $1600 hypertherm powermax 45.

you get what you pay for nor do i pay retail for my snap on stuff

you get what you pay for nor do i pay retail for my snap on stuff

You dont with their welding line, believe me... it's crap....


:barf:

They re badge alot of stuff thats electrical.... their hand tools, and most other stuff is superb, I have 2 boxes full of snap on tools, but their welding line is terrible. And just because you get a deal on them, doesnt mean others do. I used to get 50% off their stuff too, even at $2500, I wouldnt buy it.

Take my advice as you wish, I own a welding shop, if it were better I would run it, price was/is not the issue, what you get as a result is.

I Have snap ons new portable jump pack, with the digital display, I saw the exact same one in northern tool under the Don shumacher racing DSR line....Identical. It's a good pack but it's imported, and their welders are imported too..

snap ons plasma cutters and welders are way over priced- i had one of their mig welders and like i said i currently have a plasma- for the price i could have gotten a better performing miller

My dad has a thermal dynamic, which is absolutely a beast. A couple years after he got that one he gave me his smaller machine. It is an L-TEC 32i. Nice little machine. Is only good up to about 1/4 inch but I dont really need much more for automotive and light fab work. And it was free. ESAB bought them out so I can still get consumables through them. I am however looking into a little bigger machine to start doing bigger fab projects and will just use the small one for light gauge sheet metals.

How does a thermal dynamics Cutmaster 101 stand up? THere is one close to me for sale for 750 used for about 6 months. Are they any good?

We have a Thermal Dynamic cut master 52. Havn't had it very long but it works great.

I have the same one. This thing rocks!! Will cut 1/2 all day long and have pushed it to 1 1/8 and was pretty clean. They were running a special and I got a model 92 inverter arc welded free. I think it was like 1800 with tax.
I also love my millers but after reviewing miller, hyperther and a couple others the thermodynamics 52 has all the options of the much more expensive machines at a more entry level price. You yet what you pay for and always buy one size bigger than you need. It increases your versatility and cut speed with thinner materials.