New Powermax 45XP! Crap... I was just about to pull the trigger!

Shield Arc · Nov 3, 2016

Farmerford I don't know if it really matters. As long as you have a drain / drains in the after cooler. If you go with horizontal pipe do put them at a slope so the water can drain easier towards the valve / valves!

dragoneggs · Nov 3, 2016

Shield Arc said:
At a minimum I would buy a Motor Guard filter system.

SA, What is the model number you have? I started looking on line and it appears there are charcoal filters and some just use a roll of toilet paper for the replacement filter.

Shield Arc · Nov 3, 2016

The filter on the left is: Model AF510. Replacement filter RC-4020.

The filter in the center is: Model CO-4515. Replacement filter RK-4015.

The filter on the right is: M-60. Replacement filter M-723. Some people use a roll of toilet paper.
This system can only take up to 125-PSI. I use this system for my nail gun. I use the air dryer for plasma cutting, and painting.

downsizingnow48 · Nov 3, 2016

Is there a simple way to judge if the air supply is dry "enough" for plasma cutting?

Shield Arc · Nov 3, 2016

I can't find the filter model AF510. Hard to read the numbers, maybe I wrote it down wrong

. Or they discontinued it.
Check out this site, they may have a system that will work for you.
Motor Guard: Air Management

dragoneggs · Nov 3, 2016

downsizingnow48 said:
Is there a simple way to judge if the air supply is dry "enough" for plasma cutting?

Great question!

Shield Arc · Nov 3, 2016

Only thing I can think of, is if you go through consumables too fast.
Maybe Jim Colt will see this thread! He has forgotten more about plasmas than any of us will ever know.

yomax4 · Nov 3, 2016

Believe it or not. Harbor Frgt actually has a decent moisture / oil filter designed for painting. It's really not too bad. I've used all the top selling filters out there and there are really only a couple good ones La-Mon and Motor Guard for starters but this $30 HF set up is worth a look. I painted a 5x10 trailer with a cup sprayer and used the HF system after a friend mentioned it. No fish eyes at all. I had some Thermal Dynamics Filters which are good for small time plasma cutting but they are $120 and they let me down in 20 minutes of painting. I'd vote Moto Guard on the Plasma and the HF $30 Paint filter for painting..

yomax4 · Nov 3, 2016

dragoneggs said:
Great question!

Look at the side length of your Electrode. If it has thin black barber pole swirls. That is moisture. Or look inside your tip if possible. Same thing. Most importantly is that if you cut for 20 minutes on a 6hp 60 gln everyday compressor, You have a moisture issue. Smaller compressor? Even worse. Rectify by purchasing the best dryer / filter in your budget. Or just get used to swapping out $20 worth of consumables on a regular basis.

dragoneggs · Nov 3, 2016

Shield Arc said:
Only thing I can think of, is if you go through consumables too fast.
Maybe Jim Colt will see this thread! He has forgotten more about plasmas than any of us will ever know.

I am hopefully going to run into Jim at FabTech in Las Vegas in a couple weeks! I am attending for work related purposes but for my selfish interests I am going to stop by the Hypertherm booth and play with what I can! :cool2:

yomax4 said:
Believe it or not. Harbor Frgt actually has a decent moisture / oil filter designed for painting. It's really not too bad. I've used all the top selling filters out there and there are really only a couple good ones La-Mon and Motor Guard for starters but this $30 HF set up is worth a look. I painted a 5x10 trailer with a cup sprayer and used the HF system after a friend mentioned it. No fish eyes at all. I had some Thermal Dynamics Filters which are good for small time plasma cutting but they are $120 and they let me down in 20 minutes of painting. I'd vote Moto Guard on the Plasma and the HF $30 Paint filter for painting..

In fact I have already installed the cheap HF filter/regulator just off my tank.
1/2 in. Air Line Filter/ Regulator with Gauge

Definitely will put something downstream nearer to the plasma cutter. The motor guard seems a cost effective add-on for now. If and when I install a cutting table and get serious, then I will be explain'n to the better half that I really need an air... no honey not a hair, dryer!