Hypertherm Powermax 380

[Bobby]

You guys need to stop all this talk about plasma cutters. some of us don't have the $$ for them and REALLY want one. this makes it much worse.

keep up the good work. it's nice to see the comparisons of units. anyone got a BIG plasma that can show a cut on .75" or 1" to compare to what was shown earlier with the smaller machines trying to cut that heavy?

[Dan]

Originally posted by Dave Haak
Oh boy, something else I hadn't thought of!

Scott V,

Ref: straightedge

Is it just steel or any metal? That may have been another part of my problem yesterday.

Dave

Dave,

I ve been using steel, stainless steel, or aluminum straight edge guides with our Powermax 350 at work for 6 years now and about a year with my Powermax 380, and I have never had any problems. Guess I might be getting extremely lucky.

[Scott V]

Dave,I think any metal can cause problems sometimes,but not always.Try it with something non conductive,and non flammable or atleast non melting.I don't know if the recessed tip style plasma has as much problems,as both my exposed tip models?Both of the new models of my machines have your style torch.(Pakmaster 38XL,29 amps-Esab 1125,70 amps)

[Dave Haak]

Oh boy, something else I hadn't thought of!

Scott V,

Ref: straightedge

Is it just steel or any metal? That may have been another part of my problem yesterday.

Dave

[Scott V]

It probally depends on the torch style more than anything.like with a exposed type tip is not real good using metal.A piece of wood solves those problems,but you don't want to leave it on the metal too long.I have seen it arc on the side of the tip when using a metal guide.

[Arc Burn]

TRUE OR FALSE

Quick question for you plasma boys,i was told not to use steel as a cutting guide because it would cause more resistance and make the machine work harder and possibly affect the cut?any truth to that?

[Scott V]

Biil,the closest thing to arc blow would be the pilot arc searching for a ground.I never noticed a problem using a hand held plasma.

[BillC]

Re: Bevel

Originally posted by Scott V
Bill,here is a little on it.I just notice more bevel on cutting aluminum with lower powered plasma cutters.They also have a forum at the bottom of the page.

http://www.torchmate.com/accuracy/

Very interesting... Thanks for the education, Scott! I didn't see any reference to it on your link, but is there typically any arc blow type phenomenon associated with plasma cutting?

[Dave Haak]

Dan,

Not upset at all. Glad you jumped in with better cuts and pics. My cutting did not go as well as I had hoped yesterday. Ground not on work piece at all times and problem with air supply. Also not enough light to show good detail of cuts made by inexperienced operator. Found small plastic plug way down inside inlet of one of the air filters, later. Plug did not fit tight. Loose enough to let pressure show on front of plasma cutter but restricted the flow. THAT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN!

[deere_x475guy]

Guys...thanks for the great picture posts. My connection was done most of the weekend at home so I didn't get to see them till I came into work this morning. Dan can I ask you how long you have had your 380? And all this talk about air problems is begining to concern me.

Dan, my wife is hovering on the verge of making me live in the shop...lol. I do have a tv there now. And Will pointed out a place I could put a toilet. Now I just need to find a cot to sleep one..

Thanks again guys.

Bob

[Dan]

2nd pic

[Dan]

Dave I hope I don t upset you by throwing in my sample for Bob onto your thread.

Anyway Bob I have the Powermax 380 too. Today I took one pass across a piece 3/8" X 4" mild steel flat bar for you. I used a piece of flat bar as a guide to follow. The guide peice must of had a few very small burrs along its edge because it messed with the consistency of my travel a little by causing the nozzle to hang up just a little in a few places. Anyway, I drag cut this peice- no stand off. I probably made the cut in 20 seconds or less. The peice that you will see in the picture is exactly how it looked right after I cut it - I didn t do any clean up on it. A 27 amp Miller machine will probably give exactly the same results. To be honest with you if it weren t for my wife I would have probably spent a little more and got the Miller machine instead. Mainly because of the great service that we get from this site. However, my wife scares me just enough , so that I know better then to do such a thing. Sorry Rock, Im married a woman who can pick up and carry 110 lbs bales of hay. She buys 20 of them at a time and unloads the truck and stacks them in a pile 4 high by herself. Anyway Bob here are a couple pictures for you.

[Scott V]

Bevel

Bill,here is a little on it.I just notice more bevel on cutting aluminum with lower powered plasma cutters.They also have a forum at the bottom of the page.

http://www.torchmate.com/accuracy/

[russell]

Wow! great job..looks like you won the job lottery....I imagine that Disney would have the best of everything toolwise..and you get to design and engineer.. and see these designs come to life..I`m really jealous...and I bet those weldors appreciate your learning welding to make their jobs easier..

they would have to run me out of that shop..with the laser and water jet cutting..would love to see how they make things work.You`re a fortunate man there Bill and I appreciate your answer.


russell

[BillC]

Originally posted by russell
Hey Bill C, laser and water jet cutting..what kinda work you do? Sounds hi-tech...
thanks
russell

Russell,
I am a Mechanical Engineer at Walt Disney World. We have laser cutting capabilities both in-house and outside, and recently water cutting outside. Laser and water jet cutting are great; anything I can draw they can cut as long as my radii are no less than the cuttting radius...

I'm a machine designer, so although I do not get to play with these technologies hands-on like the Manufacturing Engineers, I do my best to optimize my designs for the most likely manufacturing processes. That is why I am on this great list. Welding is a personal passion and hobby for me, but additionally anything I can learn about welding makes me a better Engineer and makes life easier for the weldors who have to live with my designs and repairs...