New Plasma table buy!! Precision Plasma/Candcnc

[tentonjj]

I will be purchasing a new 2x2 portable from Precision Plasma and electronics from Candcnc. question is on the plasma itself, is a thermal dynamics 52 overkill? i guess from what the shop tells me that it is the best cut out there. looking foir some feedback on cutters.

thanks

[comeoutswingin]

I started with a Torchmate 2x2 and I have a cutmaster 52. I'm not super impressed with my thermal dynamics as it has been a constant head ache from day one and is extremely tempermental when it wants to work. It's been repaired at the factory with a burned up motherboard. When and If I buy a new one I will be going with a hypertherm because I feel you get more bang for your buck with their machines even if they're a little more costly to begin with. Jimcolt works for hypertherm and is here and on the torchmate forum, he goes out of his way to help people with cut issues even if they're running a different plasma cutter. That alone is more than I have gotten help wise out of thermal dynamics. I get more support from Torchmate and other companies than I do from thermal dynamics regaurding my cutter... thats all I have,..

[tentonjj]

what model do you suggest

[richardlw]

what size material u cutting if u search around here jim colt has displayed work he has done with his pm45 very impressive

[tentonjj]

mostly wall art stuff. i do have a customer lined up for automotive brackets and such. he asked if i could cut up to 3/4"

[jimcolt]

Take a look at the Hypertherm plasma systems on www.hypertherm.com

Hypertherm is the largest manufacturer of plasma cutters with systems from 30 to 800 Amps.....we are an employee owned company, and manufacture all of our products in the USA. Hypertherm plasma systems are well known for their conservative capacity ratings, their reliability, and their cut quality and consumable life. They are not the lowest cost to purchase, but are the lowest cost to operate.

If you need to pierce up to 3/4", then you will need more power than a Cutmaster 52 or a Hypertherm Powermax45. If you can edge start on the 3/4" material, and only need to do it occasionally, then the 45 would do an adequate job for you. The Hypertherm systems have the ability to cut thin materials very well with either the FineCut consumable technology (only used on 1/8" and thinner) or the "conical flow" technology that provides for extremely square edges on a wide range of cutting, along with consumable life that is superior to any other plasma.

Jim

[Rockrunner86]

what model do you suggest

Hypertherm Powermax 45, 65, or 85 pick your poisen. The fact that Jim Colt from Hypertherm takes so much time answering questions alone makes the Hypertherm units far better..

[Scratch]

I have a Thermal Dynamics 151. I bought it because it was cheaper than the Hypertherm. I've had no problems with it at all. If my shop burnt down and the insurance was going to replace everything, I'd probably go with HT because I've heard many good things with it.
If my shop was burglarized and those jerks took only the plasma cutter but I was getting paid to replace it, I'd go with the TD. I would still have all the tips, electrodes and stuff, plus I have a detachable hand torch (I think it's called the ONE TORCH or something like that) I love that quick detach torch, I assume HT has one too. If not, I wouldn't get the HT.

I guess what I'm saying is I think the TD is a great machine, but the HT is also. In my mind, it's the Miller, and the HT is the Lincoln.

Having Jim Colt a regular on this forum though would probably have swayed me towards HT in case I ever had problems.

As far as that particular model goes.... depends on how thick you want to cut. My 151 is rated to cut 1-1/4" although the thickest I've cut is 1".

[Dustan]

Hi Im runnin a TD cutmaster A60 and it has been flawless so far the hand torch that scratch mentioned is called the hand torch and he is right it is the bomb when you need it just pliug it in and use it then go back to the machine torch in seconds. I actually have a HT 1250 powermax g-3 series 80 amp machine for sale in the classifieds i got it used 7 months ago to use with my icon 4x8 but went with the TD for ease of getting consumables and got a good deal on it so I switched its gona go for way to cheap aswell compared to what its worth

[elkriverfab]

Hypertherm!! Hypertherm!! Hypertherm.

They are great units and take it from someone who was on a budget when buying.

Best piece of equipment I purchased next to plasmacam.

They are work horse machines and well worth the extra cost over some units.

Every welding shop I have been to from AZ to TX has parts to keep you going.

I am not trying to sell you anything, they just do what the are made for.

The next machine I buy (when I can afford) will be a larger hypertherm unit.

Bottom line is, they work great.

Hope this helps.

I have been using the 380 for years even on 1/4 inch plate at times.

I would however recommend going a little larger though for thick plate.

Just my two cents.

[geo4932]

An important consideration if you cut light gauge metal is that Hypertherm Powermax series has "FineCut" consumables. That makes the cutter very versatile.

[WSS]

Our shop has a Hypertherm 1650. We can production cut from 22ga to 3/4" plate. It is problem free and the torch parts last very well. Although, if I had to purchase again (today) I would probably get in line for a Hypertherm 85.

WSS

[tentonjj]

You guys on here are amazing with info!! I really think I would make bad choices without you lol!! I will be getting the hypo 45. Getting my load Wednesday for the whole machine. Hopefully everything will go smooth learning. I have people texting me asking when I can start for them. I hope I didn't bit off more that I can chew lol!!! Even with two years graphics cutting and torchmate experience I am a bit nervous.