plasma cutters

[R. Nelson]

I am considering a plasma cutter to replace my oxy/cetylene (for 1/4 inch and under) for my personal use,....give it to me.

[ZACHV]

Here was my recent choice. I couldn't beat the price for the quality of machine and you will never go wrong with Hypertherm. Do a search for the last month and I have it listed where I bought it from for $1000, including shipping!

[Dave Haak]

Yup, same one, got mine last Friday! Hypertherm Powermax 380. I couldn't justify the extra $150 to $200 for the 2 extra amps that the Cutmaster 38 has.

Dave

[Sberry]

Now you have me thinking,, can I find space on service truck for that??? ha

[ChadRat]

I have noticed on the plasma cutters that they have 3 different capacities.

1/4" (6 mm) Recommended Capacity
3/8" (10 mm) Maximum Capacity
1/2" (12 mm) Severance Capacity

What is the difference between the 3?

[Hobart Expert Rock]

OK........NOW I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY YOU CHOSE THE HYPERTHERM UNITS...............WAS IT STRICTLY ON COST OR WERE THEIR OTHER REASON'S...............TORCH STYLE, CUTTING ABILITY, LOOKS.............SALES AND SERVICE...............IT IS OK TO TELL ME (US) WHY YOU CHOSE THE COMPETITION THAT IS HOW WE MAKE OURS MORE COMPETITIVE IS THRU THE INPUT OF EVERYONE.... SO AS R. NELSON SAID .......GIVE IT TO ME........................ROCK
[email protected]

[atucker]

FWIW - the warranty on the Miller Plasma Cutters is 3 years, Hypertherm is 2 years.

Allen T.

[Scott V]

Rock,those guys post on the Hypertherm,is the exact reason why Esab does not bring out their model of plasma in that class.They looked at the cutmaster,and decided they could not compete with that machine without going back,and cheapening up their unit.Price really drives people in in that class more than anything.Although they are really selling tons of cutmasters.By the way Esab has had the machine for over a year,and they cannot bring it out for more money that the cutmaster.It just wouldn't work.They are kind of stuck on that one.

[cope]

Originally posted by ChadRat
I have noticed on the plasma cutters that they have 3 different capacities.

1/4" (6 mm) Recommended Capacity
3/8" (10 mm) Maximum Capacity
1/2" (12 mm) Severance Capacity

What is the difference between the 3?

Much like duty cycle for a MIG ?TIG/Stick machine. Best results with thinnest cut, good cut with middle thickness and rough cut with the thick setting.

[ZACHV]

Rock, I chose the 380 because what Miller offers in that catagory, the 375, is $200 more and I have heard nothing but great things from Hypertherm's machines. There have been the statements made that "the Big Three can do welders, but their plasma machines fall short" and whether that statement has any truth is debatable. Maybe it is hard to do everything well, maybe not. My other reason is that I have great local support for the Hypertherm machine so that was not a negative like it was with some others.

Like was mentioned, I think price plays a huge part in this catagory, but I would have still bought the 380 even if it was the same price as the Miller unit, but I would have looked at the Cutmaster 38 much harder.

For what it is worth, I did not even really consider the Lincoln plasma machines, and I love my SP175+ welder, but I still would have bought the MM175 if I could have found it for the same price as the Lincoln a year ago.

Lastly, for the stated capacities that are listed for plasma machines, I can put it into laymans terms now that I have cut all sizes with my unit.
-Recommended capacity means barely any cleanup and a very quick rate of cut.
-Maximum Capacity means a bit of clean up and a slower rate of cut, but it still does a nice job.
-Maximum Capacity means that you are reaching the point where it is a lot of work to make the cut and it is pretty slow and requires a good deal of cleanup.

[deere_x475guy]

Actually I am leaning towards the Cutmaster 38 myself. It carries a 3 year warranty it's cheaper than the Miller with higher "advertised" specs. I am really holding off to find someplace that will let me try all three but so far thats a no go. No one around has the 375 to try. Rock maybe you can find a dealer in the Lansing MI area that will arrange that.

Bob

[Dan]

Rock

Dan V and I had a good correspondence on the Miller/Hobart plasma cutters via E mail before I went to my supplier. I went in the the store intending to buy either a Spectrum Thunder or an Airforce 400. The Spectrum thunder was close to $900 and the 400 was about $1150. Then my salesman mention that he could sell me the Powermax 380 for $1039. Well, I liked the idea of the portability issue with the spectrum thunder . However, at almost $900 there isn t much difference in price between it and the 400 or 380 and they give you a much thicker cutting capacity then the Spectrum Thunder. So , since the 400 and the 380 both have the same cutting capacity it came down to the issue of cost. I had to go with the Hypertherm. Sorry, but I don t have the freedom to spend what ever I want, I have to negotiate with my boss (wife) on all my welding or cutting machine purchases.

[Scott V]

Dan,I was wondering something?

Do you get to veto the horses she picks out,or is it a one way street?

[deere_x475guy]

Originally posted by Dan
Rock

Dan V and I had a good correspondence on the Miller/Hobart plasma cutters via E mail before I went to my supplier. I went in the the store intending to buy either a Spectrum Thunder or an Airforce 400. The Spectrum thunder was close to $900 and the 400 was about $1150. Then my salesman mention that he could sell me the Powermax 380 for $1039. Well, I liked the idea of the portability issue with the spectrum thunder . However, at almost $900 there isn t much difference in price between it and the 400 or 380 and they give you a much thicker cutting capacity then the Spectrum Thunder. So , since the 400 and the 380 both have the same cutting capacity it came down to the issue of cost. I had to go with the Hypertherm. Sorry, but I don t have the freedom to spend what ever I want, I have to negotiate with my boss (wife) on all my welding or cutting machine purchases.

YEA...what Dan said.....(ditto)

Bob

[Dave Haak]

ROCK,

Local service, then cost. I've been dealing with the same welding supply, for most things, for nearly 15 years. I could have purchased the Cutmaster 38 from them also. I had pretty much decided on the Cutmaster 38 but when I got serious about pricing, I found that I would have to go out of state to get the price even near the Hypertherm. My local dealer sells way more Hypertherms than Thermal Dynamics. Both can be serviced locally though. When the subject of trading up or to a different brand later or being able to use a loaner if I should have a problem, came up, I was sure I wanted to stay with my local dealer.

Also, as I understnad it, Hypertherm has been making plasma cutters for nearly 35-years; and that's all they do. Iocal dealer claims Hypertherms hardly ever come in with problems.

You got me on the 2/3 year warranty issue, other than, that the ones with the three year warranty cost more..........

Dave