Can you have too much plasma cutter?

[TimBuck2]

I am dreaming of the plasma cutter I see in my relatively near future.
I am going to go new because ..... all my other stuff has been bought used, and I commonly see advice on this bulletin board and others that a plasma cutter is a good tool to buy new.

My question:

Does the ease and quality of cutting thinner material suffer if you are using a more powerful machine than needed for that cut.

Most of my cutting will be in the 16 ga. to 5/8" range.

I have a couple of projects in mind that will involve ca. 3/4" or 1" steel. .

Will I be sorry doing cuts of thinner material if I went with a bigger machine - say rated 3/4" for normal operation (and thicker for occasional cuts).

Thanks,
Tim

 

[crazyal]

Do you have a budget? I have an Everlast 60 and it will cut 1" thick steel. It's not going to be a perfect cut but for what I want it's fine. If I had more uses for one I would have gone with a Hypertherm 45 or maybe even a 60. They are built close to us in NH and the owner (I think) has offered tours to TBN members. The Hypertherm 45 is about 3 times the cost though. This is a piece of a flywheel that I cut.

 

[crystallake]

I have the Hypertherm 1000. It cuts thick and thin with ease. Just adjust the power. I don't think you can buy too big. Have had mine sever 1 inch steel and 1/8 alum.

 

[TimBuck2]

crazyal, at my stage in life I don't have to worry about the money so much (as long as I don't live too too long). I did to some checking into Everlast on this forum and other places. Sounds a bit like hit or miss on the particular machine you get.

Plus, as I said, most of my expensive tools are craigslist items so I am ready to splurge.

Right now I am in mind set of going with, what sounds like the best out there - Hypertherm.

 

[TimBuck2]

Thanks crystallake, just the kind of info / opinion I am looking for.
Tim

 

[crazyal]

If money is not a big concern then go with a Hypertherm Powermax 85. To go larger I think you need to have 3 phase power. The 85 will make a nice cut in 1" thick steel all the way down to thin sheet metal. Honestly if I had the spare money I would probably go with at least the 65 and set up a computerized cutting table.

 

[dragoneggs]

Do you have a budget? I have an Everlast 60 and it will cut 1" thick steel. It's not going to be a perfect cut but for what I want it's fine. If I had more uses for one I would have gone with a Hypertherm 45 or maybe even a 60. They are built close to us in NH and the owner (I think) has offered tours to TBN members. The Hypertherm 45 is about 3 times the cost though. This is a piece of a flywheel that I cut.

View attachment 505452

I think you might be talking about Jim Colt... he is a member of TBN and posts every once in awhile... handle is jimcolt. While I don't believe he is THE owner, rather I think Hypertherm is an employee owned company. He has offered factory tours if you contact him. I met him at the FabTech show in Las Vegas last fall. I got to try out their brand new to the market 45XP after debating over the 30XP vs. 45 for a looong long time. Glad it took me so long as the 45XP came out in the meantime. After trying the 45XP I was sold.

Someday I hope to get a 4ft by 4ft CNC table as well. Go bigger if you can afford it and you see production speeds to be necessary, but I say you can't go wrong with the brand and customer service.

 

[Dustind]

I have a hypertherm 1000 on a CNC table and for hand cutting I had a smaller hypertherm 350 till it broke . I replaced it with the Hobart 40i from farm and fleet and I love that little thing. 5/8 is about the max on any 220 v machine for a nice looking cut. everything else is going to be a hack job and need grinding.

 

[yomax4]

If you get a plasma over 80 amps and cut sheet metal, You will can install smaller amp tips for a nicer thinner cut than what an 80 amp tip would do even when turned down to a lower amp

 

[dragoneggs]

If you get a plasma over 80 amps and cut sheet metal, You will can install smaller amp tips for a nicer thinner cut than what an 80 amp tip would do even when turned down to a lower amp

Just assumed they all could dial in the amps. Is that not true?

 

[TMGT]

The problem I found with the bigger units is the torch size becomes a bit bulky for smaller work. I've seen multiple torches available for the larger hypertherms.
They can be turned down but the fine cut consumables give a narrower/cleaner cut on thinner material as apposed to the higher amp consumables.
I have to disagree about 5/8 being the max clean cut for 220v machines though, I've seen the Hypertherm pm65 or 85 cut 1.25in+ cleanly off 208-230v.

 

[Big Barn]

The problem I found with the bigger units is the torch size becomes a bit bulky for smaller work. I've seen multiple torches available for the larger hypertherms.
They can be turned down but the fine cut consumables give a narrower/cleaner cut on thinner material as apposed to the higher amp consumables.
I have to disagree about 5/8 being the max clean cut for 220v machines though, I've seen the Hypertherm pm65 or 85 cut 1.25in+ cleanly off 208-230v.

I totally agree. My old Miller 30 amp Spectrum plasma cutter was WAY nicer for (hand held) cutting 10 gauge and lighter.

This was partially due to the smaller torch and tip but MOSTLY because of the better quality flexible hose/cable assembly. Current models have extremely poor quality stiff lead assemblies.

Picky person that I am, I also hate the light gauge work (ground) cable they provide. Almost impossible to coil up neatly. I upgraded mine to 6 gauge for under $1 CDN /foot.



Terry

 

[dragoneggs]

Terry, looks like your stand swivels... I assume you like that feature? Also where did you get the spiral wrap? That looks nice and heavy duty.

 

[Big Barn]

Terry, looks like your stand swivels... I assume you like that feature? Also where did you get the spiral wrap? That looks nice and heavy duty.

Hi Mark. I was feeling creative and recycled the swivel base from an old office chair. I like the swivel feature but it's not necessary (IMO).



The spiral cable wrap came from the local shop that supplies all my hydraulic hoses and fittings.


Terry

 

[dragoneggs]

Hi Mark. I was feeling creative and recycled the swivel base from an old office chair. I like the swivel feature but it's not necessary (IMO).

View attachment 505844

The spiral cable wrap came from the local shop that supplies all my hydraulic hoses and fittings.
View attachment 505843

Terry

Aha! I will visit my local hose shop... thanks for the tip. I recently found a hole in the wall place that built me a custom air line for my blast cabinet.

 

[Big Barn]

Aha! I will visit my local hose shop... thanks for the tip. I recently found a hole in the wall place that built me a custom air line for my blast cabinet.

I forgot to mention.... I used 14 feet of wrap for my 20 foot torch lead, leaving the first foot and the last five feet UNwrapped.

Terry

 

[dragoneggs]

I forgot to mention.... I used 14 feet of wrap for my 20 foot torch lead, leaving the first foot and the last five feet UNwrapped.

Terry

Reading my mind again... I saw the first foot but was kind of wondering what you found to be optimum on the torch end. :thumbsup:

 

[Redneck in training]

I have Hypertherm 85 single phase 240VAC and 4x8 CNC table. The 85 should cut at least 1.25" with edge start. It will pierce .75".

 

[sdef]

I think the only way a plasma cutter/MIG/whatever would be too large is if it will not physically fit in its allotted space somewhere or can't be moved if portable. I subscribe to the "Tim the tool man Taylor" philosophy of most things in my life

 

[Big Barn]

I think the only way a plasma cutter/MIG/whatever would be too large is if it will not physically fit in its allotted space somewhere or can't be moved if portable. I subscribe to the "Tim the tool man Taylor" philosophy of most things in my life

Yes. Like having Pam Anderson for an "assistant".