Xtrem 375 or powerarc 30

[ericher69]

In the market for a plasma cutter

Considering Miller 375 or Hypertherm 30

Any plus or minuses between both?

Thanks

 

[tbearnla]

Ericher69
I am not trying to take your thread but I am considering the same but the miller 625 and hypertherm powermax45 good thread cause I was going to ask anyway, been doing some research and the both come in pretty close. :thumbsup:,

So any experts out there have any opinions to share with Ericher and I.

 

[Scooby074]

Id say the Hypertherm 45 over the 30 and the millers. HT makes THE best plasma. Even the LWS that carries miller and HT recommended the HT45, But alas i have no cash, so its going to have to wait.

 

[Shield Arc]

I remember reading on one of the welding forums a few years ago, that Hypertherm builds several models for Miller. Jim Colt will know if this is true, and if so which models.
I have a Hypertherm 1250, had it for 10-years now, not one problem. If something ever happened to it, I'd only look at Hypertherm, and Thermal Dynamics.

 

[jake98]

Check out the Everlasts too, I've only used mine on one project so far, but it worked perfectly.

 

[tbearnla]

Well I did more reading on some welding forums and decided to take the plunge. I ordered my powermax 45 with deluxe circle and guide cutting kit and extra box of consumables. should get it this week. Will have pics posted when I get it.

 

[IslandTractor]

In the market for a plasma cutter

Considering Miller 375 or Hypertherm 30

Any plus or minuses between both?

Thanks

Hypertherm is a plasma cutter company. Miller is a welder company. I bought the Hypertherm 30. Well constructed, nice package. Haven't had a chance to use it yet so cannot give further feedback. I know that Hypertherm tech support is excellent though as I did have a question that was promptly and fully explained. I think you will find that Hypertherm is the pioneer in this area and Miller is just relabelling and repainting a cutter made by either Hypertherm or Thermal Dynamics. No problem with the Miller but I'd rather deal with the source.

 

[Scooby074]

Well I did more reading on some welding forums and decided to take the plunge. I ordered my powermax 45 with deluxe circle and guide cutting kit and extra box of consumables. should get it this week. Will have pics posted when I get it.

excellent. Do post up when you get it:thumbsup:

 

[jimcolt]

Hypertherm produces the Torches for Miller plasma systems and has for many years....in return, Miller used to produce a few plasma cutters that Hypertherm sold under its brand name. The older (no longer manufactured) Powermax190c, Powermax350 and Powermax380 were made by Miller with a Hypertherm paint job.

All of the Hypertherm units built now (over 11 different plasma systems from 30 amps to 800 amps) are designed, engineered and manufactured at Hypertherm's facilities near Hanover NH, USA.

The torches that Hypertherm produces for its own brand units are different than the ones that are produced for the Miller machines. Test drive a Hypertherm unit side by side with any other brand plasma....you will definitely see the difference in cutting power, speed and cut quality. Over time you will realize the other areas that separate the Hypertherm plasma from other brands.....consumable life and customer support!

I am a bit biased....have worked for Hypertherm for close to 35 years. We are an employee owned company...and it is our primary goal to produce the best quality plasma cutting equipment in the world.


Jim Colt

Hypertherm is a plasma cutter company. Miller is a welder company. I bought the Hypertherm 30. Well constructed, nice package. Haven't had a chance to use it yet so cannot give further feedback. I know that Hypertherm tech support is excellent though as I did have a question that was promptly and fully explained. I think you will find that Hypertherm is the pioneer in this area and Miller is just relabelling and repainting a cutter made by either Hypertherm or Thermal Dynamics. No problem with the Miller but I'd rather deal with the source.

 

[Shield Arc]

Thanks for clearing that up Jim! I knew Hypertherm and Miller worked together some how.

 

[ericher69]

Scooby074;

I am considering the power max 30 because the 45 is much more $$ and I have a set of victor style torched for thicker material than 1/2"

Cost is much more for an extra 1/8 inch?

Not worth it for me

 

[jimcolt]

The Hypertherm Powermax45 provides quite a bit more capability than just another 1/8". It can pierce and cut 1/2" material on a cnc machine at much higher speeds and duty cycles as compared to the 30....the 30 is designed for low duty cycle hand cutting applications, as well as for its ability to operate on 120 VAC power. The 45 has a quick disconnect torch (hand and machine torches available), has an internal cnc machine interface plug for mechanized applications, and much more power in terms of kW output as compared to the 30. You can consider the 45 as more of an industrial focused machine....as all of the larger Hypertherm units are.

Attached are some pictures of parts cut with my Powermax45 in my home shop....which I use on both a PlasmaCam and a Torchmate cnc machine.

Jim Colt

first pic: 1/2" steel parts for a logsplitter, 2nd pic:1/4" steel with holes from 3/16" to 1.5" as cut, 3rd pic: 1/4" steel bracket, all holes cut with the Powermax45....some tapped 1/4"-20, others countersunk, last pic: 1-1/2" steel being severed with the Powermax45!

Scooby074;

I am considering the power max 30 because the 45 is much more $$ and I have a set of victor style torched for thicker material than 1/2"

Cost is much more for an extra 1/8 inch?

Not worth it for me

 

[jake98]

That's pretty impressive Jim! :thumbsup: Those holes look like they were drilled.

 

[Scooby074]

Scooby074;

I am considering the power max 30 because the 45 is much more $$ and I have a set of victor style torched for thicker material than 1/2"

Cost is much more for an extra 1/8 inch?

Not worth it for me

That makes sense. But after just buying 2 tanks of both oxy and ace for my torches during my splitter build, id say save up and buy the bigger. I burned through a TON of gas cutting the 1/2 and 3/4 plate for my splitter, especially doing the bevels for the wedges. And at ~$120 a fill for both tanks the difference between the two machines will be made up on a few products. I spent $240 on gas for just this one project, and gas aint getting any cheaper in the future

Once i get my 45 my torch is going to get relegated to heating duty only. Its just too expensive to run.

 

[IslandTractor]

I bought the 30 because I wanted to use 110v but for about $500 more I think the 45 is actually a better deal so long as you have 220v everywhere you need to use it.

 

[jimcolt]

This splitter wedge was cut with my Powermax45....it is 1" steel cut at a 45 degree bevel....which is about 1.4"....slow cut (about 4 inches per minute) but nice. Every piece on this splitter was cut with the 45. Notice the log shelf with my last name cut into it...this is so my friends remember where they borrowed the splitter!
Jim Colt

That makes sense. But after just buying 2 tanks of both oxy and ace for my torches during my splitter build, id say save up and buy the bigger. I burned through a TON of gas cutting the 1/2 and 3/4 plate for my splitter, especially doing the bevels for the wedges. And at ~$120 a fill for both tanks the difference between the two machines will be made up on a few products. I spent $240 on gas for just this one project, and gas aint getting any cheaper in the future

Once i get my 45 my torch is going to get relegated to heating duty only. Its just too expensive to run.

 

[deereman75]

jim how many amps does the powermax 45 draw at max output?

 

[jimcolt]

It varies depending on what input voltage the unit is connected to. There also are two ratings...the normal draw for cutting what it is advertised for cutting....and a higher draw for those that like to cut thicker than the unit is designed for!

All of this info is on the Hypertherm | Plasma Cutters | Plasma Cutting Equipment | Metal Cutting Equipment site...but here are the basics:

At 200 volts single phase input the current draw is 34 amps, at 230 volt single phase the unit draws 28 Amps.

Jim

 

[jimcolt]

I have a Torchmate 2' x 4' cnc with torch height control...it retails for around $7500 without the plasma. I also have a PlasmaCam 4' x 4' machine with height control....it retails for aroung $12,000 without plasma. Each paid for themselves with about 6 months of part time work. They are just hobby machines for me....and I only do a limited amount of paid work with them.

Jim

Jim Colt;

Ok u convinced me to save up and wait!

What did that CNC set up run you?

Pretty sweet!