Plasma Cutter Recommendations

[Chuckinaz]

I am looking for advice on what to buy. Going to be doing mostly sheet metal cutting with designs, letters, etc. Some expanded metal, and stuff up to 3/8 thick.
There are numerous used machines available in the area.
I found a real clean hypertherm 380, also a thermal dynamics 102 cut master that is still new in the box.
Any recommendations between these 2?

[weldguy]

The 380 is an older Hypertherm model, I would certainly go for the new102 cutmaster between the 2 of those.

[Chuckinaz]

Update. Currently found a good deal on a Hypertherm 30 air.
Anyone have one that they can share how they like it?

[adbuch]

Update. Currently found a good deal on a Hypertherm 30 air.
Anyone have one that they can share how they like it?

In general the 30air is not recommended for mechanized cutting due to lack of mechanized consumables. Also, stay away from the model with the internal air compressor.

David

[weldguy]

I believe the 30 Air is the one with the internal compressor David. I would certainly not recommend that unit, it is designed for in a pinch, on site, short term hand cutting. The TD is still your best bet.

[adbuch]

I believe the 30 Air is the one with the internal compressor David. I would certainly not recommend that unit, it is designed for in a pinch, on site, short term hand cutting. The TD is still your best bet.

OK - maybe they make a 30 and a 30 Air that use the same consumables. There was some discussion about this over at the Plasmacam forum a few weeks ago. In any case - even with the 30 (non-Air) the main problem was the lack of mechanized consumables. For than reason - if going Hypertherm - the 45xp is a better choice if you can find one on the secondary market.

David

[weldguy]

I am sure your right about the consumable David and indeed a 45xp or even an old 45 would be a far better fit than the 30 or 30 air.