Upgrading my 1250... What to expect?

[Oldsarge]

My 1250 has been rock solid for the past 2 years, but I'm getting ready to install the DTHC IV Ethercut from CandCNC, and I'm thinking about pulling the trigget on either a 65 or 85.

The air solenoid went out on my 1250 yesterday, and that made up my mind.... My 1250 has a Duramax upgrade torch on it that's in good shape.... I will probably swap out the solenoid and sell the whole setup with the machine and hand torches to offset the cost of the new machine.

Questions: What can I expect from a 65 or 85 over the 1250 in terms of cut quality and power requirements? A big factor for me is the CPC connector that will interface with the new ethernet based DTHC IV. Is there any improvement over a 1250 with a Duramax upgrade v. a 65 or 85 with native torch on that machine?

Finally, the thickest steel I've cut in the past 2 years has been 1/2" and the results I had with the 1250 were mixed quality. I cut 1/4" on a regular basis, but 14g and thinner is my bread & butter so to speak. Having a hard time deciding between a 65 and 85, trying to justify the increased cost of the 85... Harris has great deals with free shipping... If I buy online I may go with the 85, if I buy local I'll probably go with the 65 because of the cost.

Any input is greatly appreciated, I'm needing to do something ASAP, as I have jobs piling up and no working plasma cutter at the moment!

Oldsarge

[BTA Plasma]

The Mark IV is one of the fastest THCs out there. You should see a big improvement there but on the plasma side of things not a major improvement. Go with the biggest machine (85) so you can utilize your single phase power. The 85 has power and speed efficiencies over the 1250. If you get lost on the install send a PM we have a couple handfuls of MarkIV Star-Lab machines out there.

[Oldsarge]

Well I decided to go with the Powermax 85!

The prices at Harris with free shipping were the best I could find anywhere, so with the huge savings over local supplier ( more than $600 with tax) I decided to jump up to the 85. Now I just have to order the cable from Tom and I'll be ready to hook up the DTHC IV as soon as the 85 arrives. Until then I'm going to be doing a lot of cleaning up and organizing in the shop!

Oldsarge

[Largemouthlou]

Ill be watching for your update. I just about have the new warehouse wired and should be getting the table back up and running in a few weeks after I do all maintenance checks and get her put back together. After I have her up and running and verify no problems I plan on starting my up grades to all new CandC electronics over my old dragon cut.

I had planned on just upgrading to the duramax torch at that time but it may be a good time to get the 65- or 85 myself instead of putting the 700 to the duramax. Will have to see whats left on the CC!!

Good luck!!

[Oldsarge]

Ill be watching for your update. I just about have the new warehouse wired and should be getting the table back up and running in a few weeks after I do all maintenance checks and get her put back together. After I have her up and running and verify no problems I plan on starting my up grades to all new CandC electronics over my old dragon cut.

I had planned on just upgrading to the duramax torch at that time but it may be a good time to get the 65- or 85 myself instead of putting the 700 to the duramax. Will have to see whats left on the CC!!

Good luck!!

Looking forward to posting a good update! I was having difficulties with the DTHC IV setup, and Tom installed a new ess card on it for me, but I'm waiting for the new 85 with the interface cable to hook it up again.

If the plastic is too worn out, I'm looking at selling my Duramax 25' machine torch and possibly keeping the 1250 for a hand cutting setup once I'm up & running again.... Can't wait for the new machine, the orders are piling up!


Oldsarge

[Largemouthlou]

It may be an option to me if we could make a deal on the dura max torch. But I may be leaning towards a new set up. We can talk about that when the time comes!! Thanks

[Francisco]

With the Duramax torch retrofit you have already have basically the cutting quality and consummable life of the current generation machines.

One nice feature on the 65 & 85 is automatic pressure setting - gets rid of some fiddling. And, of course, the extra power, should you ever need it.

A warning: I don't think the Duramax torch made for the PM 1000 / 1250 / 1650 plasmas will fit the 65 / 85 / 105. The torch itself is the same, the machine connector is not.

[plain ol Bill]

Francisco you are correct. The Duramax machine torch for the 1250 will not work with the new generation of Hypertherm cutters. I have a Duramax on my 1250 and it was a good upgrade. Oldsarge's new set up will be on the cutting edge of current plasma technology and I am jealous.

[Oldsarge]

It's heeeeeer! After a one day delay due to a train being held up in Burlington, they delivered this morning! I'll be happliy setting everything up tomorrow, and I'll post an update when I get it all dialed in.... Powermax 85 with the new DTHC IV from Candcnc!

Oldsarge

[Largemouthlou]